In my previous post (see post here), I noted that our long-anticipated road trip east was redirected due to a medical emergency that waylaid us in Ft. Worth Texas for several days. However, we did get a brief stop at White Sands National Park shortly after our adventure began.
White Sands National Park in New Mexico is unique and very beautiful. The white sand is mesmerizing. White Sands National Park is part of the world’s largest gypsum dunefield. It is located just south of the White Sands Missile Range. This dunefield is so large it is visible from space.
If you want to avoid the sand (good luck!), there is a great driving tour that you should defiantly experience. There is also a short boardwalk that allows you to get out on the sand, without getting too much of it all over you.
Notice how their picnic area is protected from the wind that appears to generally blow in the same direction:
But to really experience it you need to walk out on it. Climb a hill, really see the expansion and majesty of the area. I would have loved to explore further, but we didn’t have the time. We have been here once before for another short stop, but it’s hard to leave without seeing more.
The highpoint of my day was, however, the friendly little mascot, the bleached earless lizard. He is only about four inches long and will live four to five years in the wild. What a cool little fella!
If you ever have the opportunity to visit White Sands, do it! Plan some time, bring water and sunblock, and expect to find a little reminder of your visit in the form white sandy little crystals for a few days after!
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”
~ Rachel Carson
peace of life today 
Thanks for sharing this little lovely critter. He deserves! 👍
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Awww, thank you! I’m glad he came out pretty clear because he was quite small!!
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We visited White Sands this past spring on our way home from our winter in south Texas. We didn’t see any critters, so this little lizard was a lucky catch for you. It truly is a mesmerizing place.
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Thank you, Terry! Yes, I would have loved to walk further out on the sand. We didn’t plan a lot of time there since we had stopped by once before. But it only made we want to see more! …and my primary goal for stopping was to get a t-shirt! I have a crazy number of vacation t-shirts 🤣
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What ?!?!?! You found the lizard?? Awesome job at capturing him. I have looked so hard, but I think we need to spend a day there, so I can be there are different times of the day. I loved this post Lisa. You are right. It isn’t a place you visit. It is a place to experience. Walk it, study it, feel it. Still always eerie to feel the cool sand in a hot climate . Nice to see what you have been up to.
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Thank you!! I thought of you when we found the lizards! Someone on the boardwalk pointed out two of them, then on our way back we found the 3rd one! I wonder if it’s the time of year? When we were there last time I didn’t even know to look for them. Funny thing is, that last time I did bring home a little white lizard stuffed animal that says “White Sands” on his back! How about that!
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I do remember you telling me about your “stuffy”. I am just happy you found the real one. The photos are fantastic. Best I have seen. The Park would probably love to see them.
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😊
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oh…before I ran into your lizard photos, I was going to say…great shot, composition of the benches.
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Thank you, Donna!! I think those picnic table things are kind of cool! I would not want to be there in a sand storm 😱
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Agreed. But the beauty in that park, is you CAN still see it from your car, even if it isn’t the same.
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I was fascinated by the White Sands when I first saw a friend’s photos of them, so we planned a whole road trip around New Mexico finishing in Alamagordo so we could see them for ourselves. They didn’t disappoint! Thank you for reminding me of the sight via your beautiful photos 😀
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Thank you, Sarah! I would love to walk way out on the sand dunes just to hear the silence and see how beautiful it would be! But I did love the couple of hours we spent there 😊
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This is an amazing place to visit. I also liked your little lizard friend.
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Thank you! 😎🦎
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What an incredible landscape for a National Park, mesmerising, it looks so ‘other worldy’ and I love the beautiful lizard shots – thanks for sharing, the world is full of so much beauty, endless. 💫
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Thank you, Cherryl! And I agree, there is so many amazing places to see out there! We hope to see more 😊…and BTW I was so hoping to see the lizards, made my day!
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👌💫
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What a cool lizard! Loved your photo of ripples of sand on a dune.
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Thank you! And I loved that photo too! 😊We didn’t have too much time so I grabbed what I could. Someday maybe we will spend more time and walk out away from the road. …I did feel honored to meet up with a couple of lizards!
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