Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Visiting the White Sands National Monument with Mariko

 Today, the weather was warmer than the last couple of days but still more cloudy than desired, so it was still a brisk experience, walking among the dunes when the sun was hidden by clouds.

I'd been to this park before, back in December of 2018, better pictures than the ones taken today here: LINK

So I learned one thing about the "white sands" at this monument.  If you visit after shortly after a snow fall, the sands are still wet if not still around and turns the sand, well, sand colored!  It wasn't the snow white sand that I'd remembered from the 2018 visit.

Here's the pics that sort of came out, mostly to depict the clouds in most cases, or show Mariko the Sammy in a sand dune environment.







Once the clouds moved in, it was time to drive Mariko the 16 miles or so to the city of Alamogordo to get fuel and lunch for myself.

Munching on fast food (something hard to do when on a motorcycle but not in the Sammy!) I returned to the monument hoping for better light conditions.  The sun was brighter for brief periods of time but I never did get the timing right in finding a spot for Mariko AND having the sun in the clear.





Returned to the campsite shortly after 5PM, packed up some of the outside items in preparation for displacing tomorrow towards Arizona.  Seven nights here is enough, especially given the recent freakishly cold weather.

7 comments:

SonjaM said...

Snow on sand dunes, not something you see every day. Marvelous pics, Dom. I'd love to visit this place some day. And it looks like the perfect playground for Mariko.

redlegsrides said...

It sure would be SonjaM but you can't leave the roads....which is fine, offroading would ruin the place.

CCjon said...

Beautiful photos, they look like pastel paintings.

redlegsrides said...

Thanks CCjon!

Oz said...

That looks like a fun place to ride/drive in. I bet you did not come across a lot of other visitors. Nice photos on todays post and the previous post in 2018.

redlegsrides said...

Actually Oz... There were more people in the park this time than the last time, at least that's how it felt like to me.

redlegsrides said...

Forgot to say, thanks Oz!