More Travels in New Mexico

Another easy day trip took us to White Sands National Monument (LINK)   located near the town of Almogordo, NM.  This area is composed of dunes that are actually made of sand sized particles of gypsum. The gypsum eroded from he nearby San Andres and Sacramento Mountains and settled in the Tularosa Basin. The water that carried it there, evaporates and leaves the gypsum behind.  Wind then picks up gypsum and forms the ever changing dunes that comprise this 275 square mile field of sand.  The roads in this area are comprised of the gypsum and there are numerous pullouts for parking.  Activities include back country camping, hiking, bicycling, photography, picnicking and sledding on the dunes. You can buy or rent plastic snow saucers at the visitor center and other nearby areas.

Leaving your mark in the sand is a favorite activity.
It won't last long!

This isn't like beach sand!

Stock photo from WSNM website

After playing in the sand, we turned back to the northeast and planned a lunch stop in the mountain top town of Cloudcroft, NM (elevation 8,668').  During this scenic mountain drive, we stopped to enjoy some mountain views and the Cloud Climbing Railroad trestle. It seems that in the 1890's a rail spur was built into the Sacramento Mountains to harvest timber for a new rail line.  The spur line soon became popular with local residents seeking to get away from the summer heat in the clean cool mountain air.  Cloudcroft also attracted visitors suffering from various illness including tuberculosis.

Our last escapade in this area was to Fort Stanton located southeast of Capitan, NM (LINK).  This fort was built in 1885 to help protect the settlers along the Rio Bonito.  The fort has been through many changes and upgrades to serve various purposes as the needs changed.  It is an interesting place to spend a couple hours.

A Cemetery near the fort.

Notice the coins.

Here is the story of the coins.

Parade grounds of Fort Stanton

Two dapper young fellas in period garb!

Inside the barracks.

The stables still have some residents!

This outing concluded our time in New Mexico and meant we had to say "See ya' Later" to our friends Pam and Wes.  Our next stop is family time in the White Mountain area of Arizona!