Las Cruces, New Mexico

Left Carlsbad and headed for The White Sands National Monument in Alamagorda, New Mexico.  This park is made up of white gypsum.  We learned that the gypsum is gathered from the rock and streams in the mountains and carried down by rain water to the lower valley water shed.  There it sits in the shallow water shed and dries into a crystal form.  From this form, it dries and the wind blows it into cornflake size bits.  The wind keeps breaking the gypsum down until it becomes granular form and then the dunes are formed.  We rented sleds and slid down these large dunes.   After sledding down the white gypsum sand dunes we headed for Las Cruces, New Mexico.  We ate authentic mexican food at a local's favorite called, Andeles.  We stayed at the Hacienda RV Park.  Went to Wal Mart, got supplies and stayed out of the heat for the rest of the afternoon.  Las Cruces is a beautiful town and is rated as one of the most attractive retirement area in the U.S..  When you look at our pictures of the White Sands, you'll think it's snow at first.