It Looks Like Snow



It's a beautiful day not a cloud in the sky so we headed toward Alamogordo, NM to check out the Missile Museum and White Sands National Monument. As we crested the Organ Mountains we entered the Tularosa Basin. Our first impression was the remoteness and flatness. The first stop was White Sands Missile Range and Museum. Again, we had to show our passports to get into the museum which was on the base.

In 1944 the United States needed a land site to test missiles and then have the ability to recover them, White Sands Proving Ground (WSPG) was born. The missile range covers 3,200 square miles of the Tularosa Basin. Now called White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) they have tested over 42,000 missile and rockets including the first atomic bomb detonation at Trinity Site.

The indoor museum housed much of the equipment used during the testing. I liked this field barrel.


Check out the contents & what's crossed off

The museum was very interesting but I really wanted to see some of the rockets and missile fired on the test range. Susan was none to happy as we walked toward the 60 plus missiles that have been tested at WSMR.

Susan hates snakes

Fortunately we didn't see any snakes but was able to get up close to many of the missiles and rockets. I lived in El Paso, Tx during the Gulf War in 1991 and heard a lot about Patriot Missiles.

Patriot Missiles

Missile Launcher

Nike Hercules Rocket



 Testing for the Nike Hercules began in 1955 but tragedy  struck soon after. A liquid-fueled engine exploded causing 5 injuries and 1 death. This is the only missile-testing death in the history of WSMR.

Honest John Missile

What an amazing museum, a little scary to think of all this testing, you don't hear about mishaps or mistakes.

Still in the Tularosa Basin and one of the worlds natural wonders is White Sands National Monument.

Visitors Center

Emerging from the desert are brilliant white dunes covering 275 square miles the largest in the world. It's a rare form of sand called gypsum. Only a few plants and animals can survive in this every changing harsh environment. When driving or walking in the park sunglasses and water are a must.

Soaptree Yucca plant

Miles of sand with mountains in background

Playing, picnicking, and walking on the dunes are encouraged by the park. So of course I am going to take full advantage of this opportunity.


Yes that's me ....What a blast

To much fun....Now it feels like home

Sand Angel

That was soooooooo much fun I didn't want to leave. However, climbing up the dunes at this altitude I realized I'm really out of condition. Besides I had so much sand in my clothes....you can imagine the rest.

My truck in the sea of sand

As we were leaving I couldn't help but stop to take one last picture. The shear beauty of these dunes with the brilliant white sand against the blue sky backdrop is amazing.

Absolutely beautiful