Alamo-what??!!

Aug 6-8 - New Mexico
From Arizona we headed to New Mexico - the town of Alamogordo (the girls had trouble remembering this one and kept saying “AlamoWHAT?!”). The most incredible feature of this place was White Sands National monument - located within the White Sands Missile Range. Within the vast desert, the Tularosa Basin is a valley surrounded by mountains, and it is here that you find this gorgeous monument. It is 275 square miles of the world’s largest gypsum dune field. Absolutely spectacular, it is like driving suddenly into rolling hills of snow - glistening white sand everywhere. And, as you would expect - a ton of fun to play in! Who would have thought we’d be tobogganing in August in 90 degree heat? whhoooeee!


Strangely, the gypsum sand doesn’t retain the heat as regular sand does, so stays cool to walk on in bare feet. We went back to the sands a second time in the evening to try to watch the sun set. There was a storm building so we didn’t actually catch the sun set, but had a ball running around the dunes and admiring them in the late day light. The sky was so dramatic with the approaching storm, and even gave us a rainbow. We had our picnic pizza supper and stayed until the rain came pelting down.
This monument is located within the White Sands Missile Range, which was first used as a military proving grounds after WWII for testing V2 rockets captured from German armed forces. A 4000 sq.mi. area, it’s still used for testing experimental weapons and space technology. This is also the site (called the Trinity Site) where the first nuclear bomb was developed and tested during WWII. Today, they actually have to close the park and the highway that runs through the basin twice a week when they conduct missile range testing. Wouldn’t want to be the dorky tourists obliviously pulling our trailer along when SHAZAM! - a missile shoots by.

We took in an IMAX movie at the Space Museum, and watched some great footage of the astronauts and their shuttle missions to work on the Hubble telescope. Narrated by Leo DiCaprio, the movie showed a lot of the absolutely unbelievable images of solar systems and stars that the Hubble has provided. Hard to believe the whole manned shuttle space exploration program is going to be coming to a grinding halt - what a shame.

In addition to seeing the white sands and space museum, we had the life-changing experience of seeing the WORLDS LARGEST PISTACHIO!! Yessiree! Lots of pistachio trees here and some pretty amazing flavours they have created - yum.

During our stay in Alamogordo, we also got to celebrate the second birthday of our roadtrip - AJ’s!!!!! Our boy turned 39 this year - WHOA. The girls and I belted out Happy Birthday for him and we pigged out on decadent chocolate cake. Ahhh...any reason for cake. We actually happened across a parade in town that was just starting - I don’t think AJ believed me when I told him it was all arranged for his birthday.

So, here’s a quick update on our favouritest little convicts as we follow the latest headlines on the national manhunt. Recap - after escaping from prison in Kingman, Arizona (when we were there), they hijacked a truck to get to Flagstaff (which we had just come through), so they could buy a car. They are travelling with the fiancee of one of them - oh, this is the best - she is his fiancee AND cousin. No joke. Paddle faster, the banjos are getting louder... Then as they were coming through New Mexico (yup, we’re here too!!), they allegedly grabbed a couple and burned them up in their trailer and took their truck. Soooo....targeting travellers with trailers...excellent. We’re thinking of just inviting them over for dinner to get to know them a little better as it seems we have the same travel itinerary.

Aug 9 - New Mexico,Texas
Today we left Alamagordo to go to our next state - Texas. As we were packing up, AJ had his first experience with the sewer pump at the RV park backing up. Yes, it was every bit as gross as you are imagining. Let me tell you, in that moment I was so glad that AJ handles the pumping out of the trailer and there is really nothing I can do to help. THANK GOD. Yup - I’ll handle the kids dear - you take care of that sh*t! He got us organized and on the road in no time.

The drive began by heading over a mountain that had us gaining over 4000 ft in elevation (up to 8650ft) over only 16 miles. That was a pretty big pull for the little ol’ truck. When you see all the warning signs for trucks as you approach the base of the mountain, makes you stop and wonder just how steep this wee climb is going to be. With all the horses in full gallop we did just fine (OK, we had the girls get out and push but that’s to be expected, right?).

Then on to Texas!
I must say - first impressions of Texas are a bit of a flat and boring drive (we’ve been so spoiled with all the mountains and valleys so far) and a LOT of oil wells. A lot.And a bit of a gassy smell - ugh. Natural gas, not AJ. Or at least, that’s what he told me.

We actually gave ourselves a night off and stopped at a hotel for the night. Stopped in Midland - home of good ol’ George W. Bush. Just a quick stop overnight for us - enjoyed not having to set up camp - especially because a huge storm came through. We happily watched it from inside the restaurant we ate in for dinner, and it was all over when we came out. The girls loved having a TV in our room for a few minutes of cartoons - though no TV all summer has actually been nice for a change.

On to Austin, TX next ...