Location: White Sands National Monument, New Mexico
Summary: Visiting the surreal gypsum dunes of White Sands.
The next stop on our journey took us into the northern reaches of the Chihuahuan Desert, home to the shimmering white gypsum dunes of White Sands National Monument. The coach stopped first at the visitor centre, giving us a chance to learn a little about the geology and wildlife before we continued deeper into the dunes.
We made two stops inside the monument. At the first, a wooden boardwalk led us out over the desert floor, where hardy plants and animals survive in this bright, shifting environment. The second stop was far more physical, giving us the chance to climb one of the enormous dunes. The heat was intense, and the sand felt like it was trying to swallow my feet with every step, but reaching the top was worth the effort. The view stretched out in rolling waves of white, like snowdrifts under a blazing sun.
Getting down was much easier. I belly surfed the steep dune, which felt like a brilliant idea until I realised I would be discovering sand in unexpected places for the rest of the day.
Fun Fact
White Sands is the largest gypsum dune field on Earth, and the dunes are constantly moving. Some shift up to 30 feet a year, which means the dune you climb today might not be in the same place on your next visit.
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