Alamogordo is not on the beaten path but it does have some unique attractions. The best known is White Sands National Monument. Surrounded by the White Sands Missile Range and associated with Holloman Air Force Base it is not unusual to have the Air Force close the monument to visitors or even stop traffic for an hour on Highway 70.
Michigan residents will feel right at home when visiting White Sands. The dune formations are very similar in appearance to Lake Michigan dunes. There are differences, however. The sand is gypsum based, very fine, and very white. So white in fact that one can easily imagine being in a winter wonderland-especially when hundreds of locals bring their kids to sled down the dunes on Saturday afternoons.
The most prized photographs are taken only after hiking a long ways in order to avoid areas that have heavy footprint traffic. A little caution is in order when hiking into the monument. Bring water and keep track of landmarks since it is easy to get turned around in this area.
While white is the dominant color at White Sands, black dominates the landscape at Three Rivers Valley of Fire north of Alamogordo. When first driving through the area one speculates as to how surface fires could have blackened all the topography but soon realize that this is volcanic activity with lava being pushed through cracks in the earth which then flowed out over the land. Many organisms here are quite dark while the same types are very light colored at White Sands. Black lizards on white sand or white lizards on black rock don't last long when predators are about.
Petroglyphs and Pistachios
As we approached Alamogordo a huge pistachio statue loomed next to what looked like a typical tourist trap store (http://www.pistachiotreeranch.com/). Knowing nothing about pistachios but intrigued by the orchard-like grove of pistachio trees growing next to a well kept vinyard and all in a desert environment- I slammed on the brakes. Inside we found not only a tasting table for pistachios (lemon-lime was my favorite while cayenne flavored should be avoided) but also a well-stocked wine-tasting table. Their pistachio wine, to our palates, did not have any hint of pistachio. We walked out with an apricot, pomegranite, and a peach wine, along with a bag of pistachios and candied pecans. Later that evening I decided that a few pistachios would make a nice snack. They are something like potatoe chips and before I realized it I had eaten the entire bag. Upon examing the label I found I had consumed 1360 calories. Oh well-the label also said no cholesterol in pistachios. I hope Edie does better with her candied pecans.
On our final day in Alamogordo we drove up to the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino for a Sunday champagne brunch at the Gathering of the Nations Buffet (http://www.innofthemountaingods.com/). With a huge selection of food, seniors can gorge themselves for $12.95. Afterwards, we waddled out of the restaurant deciding some exercise was necessary. Edie wanted to see the Indian petroglyphs at Three Rivers which would require some hiking to view. Over 21,000 have been found in this area. Although the trail was very rocky for anyone who had fractured their patella recently, the hike was a welcome bit of exercise.
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