Thursday, June 14, 2012

White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

I was going through some old photo albums and ran across our family vacation prints from 1998 (give or take a year). It was probably one of our most enjoyable trips... the kid were at perfect ages, and White Sands is incredible.  It's actually not sand (typically sand dunes are made of quartz or silica sand) but it's gypsum.  Gypsum dunes are much rarer than traditional sand dunes, and White Sands is the largest gypsum dunes in the entire world at 275 square miles!  Gypsum feels a lot different from sand, too... a lot softer and smoother.
My daughter and son ready for blast-off!
My wife brought along some blue plastic sheets (used for sliding in the snow) and the kids went crazy sliding down the gypsum hills!  Fun times!!
I laugh every time I see this one... my son flying down the hill, my daughter crashing in the background!
I love the colors in the skies over the white powder hills.
The end of the day and my wife is still smiling!  But the kids look totally exhausted!!
Linking to Skywatch Friday.
Click on the link to check out great skies from all over the world.  Have a great weekend!!
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28 comments:

  1. GaelynJune 14, 2012 at 10:59 PM

    Such a spectacular landscape to play in along with the memories.

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  2. JimJune 14, 2012 at 11:10 PM

    Terrific shots.
    Sydney - City and Suburbs

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  3. magiceyeJune 14, 2012 at 11:13 PM

    Gorgeous captures!

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  4. LeahJune 14, 2012 at 11:20 PM

    o my, love these!!

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  5. NatureStopJune 14, 2012 at 11:23 PM

    Beautiful place and love the white colour:)Looks like they really had a great time. Have a great weekend!

    Shantana

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  6. UnknownJune 15, 2012 at 12:24 AM

    amazing landscape...the last picture with the setting sun in it was stunning!

    -r1-

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  7. AnonymousJune 15, 2012 at 12:55 AM

    What beautiful landscape! Amazing shots.

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  8. AnonymousJune 15, 2012 at 2:37 AM

    Very interesting post and I love the pictures!

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  9. DrillerAAJune 15, 2012 at 3:27 AM

    Very nice photo set. The final portrait with the sunset is really well done.
    Thanks for stopping by Driller's Place. Come back anytime. Happy Skywatching.

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  10. Stewart MJune 15, 2012 at 3:44 AM

    Hi there - great set of pictures.

    We went sand surfing on a trip to Kangaroo island a few months ago - same sorts of crashes and same impact on the kids! Splendid fun!

    Stewart M

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  11. AnonymousJune 15, 2012 at 4:12 AM

    Love the sunset shot,the white sand looks like snow.

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  12. Sylvia KJune 15, 2012 at 7:26 AM

    Terrific captures and gorgeous skies!! Reminds me of trip I made to the White Sands! Fun memories! Your last shot is really awesome! Wonderful way to end a beautiful day! Have a great weekend!

    Sylvia

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  13. John @ Beans and I on the LooseJune 15, 2012 at 7:31 AM

    That is a wonderful place and I too like the sunset photo. When I was there I had to be careful as to where I stepped for people let their dogs poop just anywhere. Hope you didn't have that problem in '98.

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  14. Grandma Barb's This and ThatJune 15, 2012 at 7:39 AM

    Looks like the kids had a lot of fun sleding on the sand dunes! The sky in the last phhoto is fantastic! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  15. TexWisGirlJune 15, 2012 at 7:45 AM

    these are wonderful! thanks for the look back into bliss. :)

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  16. TheChieftessJune 15, 2012 at 9:08 AM

    Wow! The things you can learn about while blogging!!! I never knew about Gypsum dunes...how fun!!!

    The sky and clouds in your shots are wonderful Spare Parts!!

    Thanks for visiting at mammothlakesdp!!!

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  17. UnknownJune 15, 2012 at 9:51 AM

    Fun time!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

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  18. Lap Dog KnitsJune 15, 2012 at 10:34 AM

    these are great pictures...this is how I think of the kids...
    in my mind's eye they will forever be held at this age..

    because, you know...I was younger than too and that's how my mind's eye sees me..until I look in the mirror.

    you took great pictures back then too...film?

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  19. Amy BurzeseJune 15, 2012 at 4:38 PM

    Beautiful pictures! That sliding looks fun!

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  20. NelliesJune 15, 2012 at 7:01 PM

    Oh this is such a fun set to look at, especially the second one! Have a great weekend!

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  21. Charlene N. K.June 16, 2012 at 1:17 AM

    Wow, this is an amazing kind of sand, which looks more like snow in whiteness. Indeed, this looks like a wonderful vacation with photo memeories beautifully preserved.

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  22. From The HeartJune 16, 2012 at 5:28 AM

    Gorgeous pictures...looks like snow!

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  23. GeorgeJune 16, 2012 at 7:33 AM

    Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures from your vacation years ago. The sky (and gypsum) are beautiful.

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  24. Yogi♪♪♪June 17, 2012 at 5:40 AM

    I could kick myself. Born and spent most of my time growing up in New Mexico and not one trip to the Sand Dunes. I love your pics.

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  25. Karen @ Pieces of ContentmentJune 17, 2012 at 7:43 PM

    Wonderful photos, love the colours and the fun times captured. You must have thoroughly enjoyed reliving the memories.

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  26. SteffiJune 21, 2012 at 4:45 AM

    Wonderful photos!Stunning landscapes!

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  27. Inger-MJune 21, 2012 at 5:19 AM

    Those white dunes look amazing, and I love that sky too!

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  28. Melbourne Australia PhotosJuly 8, 2012 at 3:48 PM

    Amazing sand!

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