White Sands Natl Mon, NM

I was happy we were able to get back over to White Sands this year as it was closed when we were in the area a couple of months ago.  I had been here as a child and it was cool to come back as an adult and show Mike!

As the park is mostly blazing white sand dunes, there is  not much hiking and only one road into the park.  The 5 mile Alkali Flats trl is at the end of the 5 mile road and we had to do it.  It is rated difficult because, well, have you ever walked across sand dunes....in the wind??  Wouldn't do it again but it was amazing!

Alkali Flats trailhead

the white sand came from gypsum in the nearby mountain range

you keep on the trail by following the sign posts.....hmmmm

Alkali Flats, you can see some of the missile testing range

we will have sand in our shoes for a long time;)

no, those are not clouds but blowing sand

look at the sand blowing off the ridge

awesome day, time to go shower the sand out of our eyes, ears, nose, mouth.......

City of Rocks State Park, NM

We spent the last four days parked in the City of Rocks State Park near Silver City, NM.  Did not have any internet so I have some catching up to do!

The park is a very scenic, interesting place in the middle of no where.  30 miles either direction to the nearest cities, Silver City and Deming.  Really liked our site, we were in the middle of a yucca garden.  Big space in-between sites also.  You can hike up to about 7 miles in the park and it was fun climbing around the rocks, such interesting shapes!  But the wind.....the wind was rough and the camp host said it is always windy there.

We visited both Silver City and Deming from here and I will try to get pics of those up soon.

City of Rocks State Park

Visitors Center

we liked our space and had a covered picnic table but the wind prevented us from spending much time there

no problem keeping the windmill going;)

Hike near Lake Mead

After 5 weeks and some special family time, we are leaving Las Vegas once again to continue on our travels.  Our last hike there was in Boulder City near Lake Mead, actually in the Lake Mead Recreation Area.  We explored a little canyon neither one of us had ever been to probably because it is not a marked trail.  Located across from the Boulder Beach area, we came across these beautiful Big Horn sheep and I had a fun little rock climb to boot!

aren't they beautiful???

only my best side for the pics of course;)

looking down the hill toward part of Lake Mead