Jan 16, 2023 White Sands, NM

After an uneventful night in the Walmart parking lot, we pulled out after waking up early around 6:30am. There were 9 other campers parked in our vicinity for a free overnight stay and refuge from the winds.

Today’s route took us into the San Andreas Mountain range, and it was awesome. The road is a 4-lane highway the entire route as it twists and turns through these majestic mountains. The forecast called for 18 – 20mph winds and periods of rain and snow and that’s what we experienced. Traffic was light as the road gradually ascended out of the desert into the mountain range and the landscape started to sprout Cedar Trees, then Ponderosa pine towards the upper elevations. Snow was coming down fairly fast near the upper elevations and we saw some vehicles with several inches of snow on their hoods.

Part-way through, we had a pit stop at a gas station and fueled up. They also had an air pump with free air beside the gas pumps and we checked, then filled both Airstream and truck tires to appropriate levels. We also took the opportunity to clean the windshields and grab some coffee to go since we didn’t have any to start the day.

As we reached the highest point, a sign pointed out we were at 7,591 feet in elevation before we began a gradual descent into the valley. We could not imagine traveling through these mountains yesterday with wind gusts of 60 – 70mph!

We reserved a campsite at Oliver Lee Memorial State Campground outside of Alamogordo and near White Sands National Park. We arrived early but were able to secure our site, set up, then opted to travel to the national park. Before leaving, we checked if dogs were allowed at the park – and yes, we were all so happy, especially Justice :)!

This area is so unique and beautiful, truly astonishing! We first stopped at the Visitors Center for our cancellation stamp and collecting a map of the park. Today was a no fee day in honor of Martin Luther King, so a plus there for all visitors!

A short distance from there, we stopped for a 1-mile Nature Hike through the dunes – so amazing! Justice loved it! He was so excited, running, smelling, jumping, it was almost startling to us how excited he was here. We are not sure if it was the sand or the different smells, but he had a blast and made our time there so much more enjoyable, too.

Clouds were hanging over the mountains and with the overcast day, the mountains were purple in the background and against the white dunes, so strikingly beautiful. You can go sledding here too on the dunes and there are several other areas to hike but the 1-mile hike was all we had in us today.

We drove back to our campsite, all of us tired and hungry – especially Justice. A quick supper and we are ready to get into bed. Our plan is another night here before heading out of New Mexico Wednesday morning.