So after 2 months we finally managed to get out of Texas but we still left a lot unseen. We entered New Mexico with no idea of what was here as for some reason the tourist board here is a bit isolationist and we found it hard to get info on NM before we got here. We had planned to head east but following the advice of a lovely lady we met at El Paso Missions we headed north instead. We knew NM had a history of bombs (the atomic bombs that were dropped on Japan in WWII were developed here) but we had no idea what else to expect. You may notice in the second pic two white Solar Observatory buildings high up on the mountain range. Our first stop was the town of Alamagordo. The RV Park was good. We got a very easy to access site with a nice table and chairs set up all within sight of an attraction we planned to visit, the Alamagordo Space Center (properly named “The New Mexico Space Museum“). That evening another lovely western sunset ended a good day.
The next 5 photos actually jump ahead a few days to get them out of the way. As the labels show we got hit on day 3 with a dust storm. Wind gusts exceeded 120kph and even knocked poor Shane to the ground bruising her wrist and leg. At least there were other things to do in Alamagordo like join in with some RV Park visitors and their jam session. Most were plucking strings but one lady played the spoons while another played harmonica with her mobile phone. They even played us an unrehearsed rendition of Waltzing Matilda, the second time this has happened to us while here in America. (The first time was at New Orleans)
I did say the pics were out of order but no worries. First full day there we were convinced to drive up to a nearby resort town of Cloud Croft. One reason for us going was that we can’t remember ever having driven to anywhere at this altitude before so for us it was another first. Do you remember that in the last blog post I told you the height of Mt Kosciusco? Well this is higher than ‘Kozzie’. The trip through the mountains was fantastic and took less than an hour excluding our photo stops and these were plenty and gorgeous. There was a scenic stop by the tunnel that goes through the mountain at the start of the Lincoln National Forest. From here you can see the White Sands National Monument off in the distance (more on White Sands later). Then came the railway trestle left over from an old railway long since defunct.
Eventually we hit Cloud Croft which is a seasonal town that has a popular snow skiing area. The town is built reminiscent of an old wild west town complete with timber footpaths under verandah overhangs. We looked about for a while and sampled the local bakery delights washed down with a cup of ‘joe’ before heading back down the mountain from whence we came. On the way back we stopped at a Wild Game Butcher’s and bought some Venison and Elk to try one night. This shop is also a curio shop and tourist info centre with a candy store and restaurant attached (well, in a seasonal area you have to spread your bets).
We were back at our van by lunch time so after a quick bite we shot out to the White Sands National Monument which happens to be right under the White Sands Missile Range so occasionally the highway and park are closed while the military fire off some missiles overhead. The RV park had loaned us two ‘sleds’ to ride the dunes and we were going to do just that. We past a playa lake just off the road then turned into the “WSNM Visitor Center” which is built (as so many buildings in this part of the world are) in the Mexican Pueblo style. (note to self; If I ever build again make it a Pueblo Style home – just beautiful.) We looked through the visitor centre and watched their 15 minute video which explains the origins and history of the park before driving deeper into the dunes.
At first they are small and well off the road but they gradually increase and creep up to and finally over the tar. This is one fascinating area. Stunning to look at and so immense it is not hard to imagine getting lost amongst the shifting sand hills. But we were here for the serious task of riding the ‘sand waves’. Shane is still crooked at me for not spending more time riding the hills but we were both stonkered. Traipsing up the soft gypsum sand is a killer on the calves and I was wishing I had spent more time doing calf exercises at the gym but despite the pain from hill climbing she just wanted more. I had to stop her for her own good. It was at this time that the winds started to rear up and you can see several pictures where the views were beginning to fade behind a veil of sand. After some selfies and a walk into the dunes on a boardwalk designed to protect the environment we drove home exhausted but totally satisfied after a huge day out. We slept very well that night!
Wednesday, the 10th April we awoke a bit sore and very tired but we still had a visit to the Space Center to do and just this day to do it. On arrival we immediately noticed (as I’m sure you will) that the Space Center is built to resemble the Space Shuttle with it’s shuttle body attached to the two outer fuel tanks. The next thing that is in your face is the Euro Tornado Jet Fighter in the carpark which has you asking “Who flew here and why didn’t they just drive?” It turns out that there was a German Fighter Squadron stationed here at the nearby USAF base for 20 years or so and when they were recalled to Germany they donated the jet to Alamagordo who quickly attached it to the carpark before they changed their minds.
The Space Center (Notice I keep interchanging the spelling of “Centre” from US to English?) itself has a very good display from White Sands and the Atom Bomb to Motion Picture history in Star Trek. Even the lift is decorated to look like the inside of a rocket cockpit. The majority of the artefacts are of inner space rocketry rather than outer space but it has some of everything. We tried the “Beam me up Scotty” transporter from Star Trek but Scotty must have been away that day. And if you’ve ever wondered what an astronaut’s space suit is made of then you’ll see it here with a torn away section followed by a pic of the materials that make up each layer. Finally, just below but part of the ASC is an Imax Theatre that has ongoing movies of a space theme for your entertainment.
Alamagordo had more to offer but we had to keep on the move. Roswell and it’s aliens were beckoning so that is the next blog post. Until then don’t forget you can make comments on the blog page anytime just remember to come back and read the next chapter.
Cheers for now
Garry & Shane.
Really loving reading your blog. As an avid USA roadtripper, fellow Aussie, who plans on a 6 month stint in retirement, but just happy with 6 – 9 week trips at the moment, I’m reliving a lot of the places you’ve gone to and taking mental notes of where else to go….or not to go. Look forward to continuing the adventure.
Hi Linda,
Really pleased to hear that someone is enjoying the blog and getting value from it. Sad to say but we are finished with the USA (for now). We’re off to Europe next month for 4 months so you can follow that journey as well. At our age (almost 70) we need to travel while we’re still capable. In the meantime if you have any questions I am happy to answer them if I can.