I woke up around 8:30, feeling like I had had a great sleep in. My surrounding views were absolutely stellar in the morning light. I made some porridge with Craisins in it and had a leisurely morning reading, before heading to White Sands National Monument. As I drove to the monument, I could occasionally see the top of a dune, it’s pure white standing out against the brown and green landscape. The entrance fee was a lovely $5, good for 6 days, I couldn’t believe it! If I had found that out before, I would have headed there yesterday to watch sunset, I was expecting a $20 day use fee like Petrified Forest National Park. I drove a little ways, then parked and walked over several dunes until we had a nice, private area so I could let Luna off-leash to let out the zoomies she was fit to burst with. As soon as I let her off she had a wonderful run, she loves the sand and was absolutely ecstatic to get to play in it. We hung out in that spot for quite a long time, Luna playing, me watching and relaxing. When Luna felt it was time for me to get doing something rather than enjoying the views, she would start digging in the sand right next to me, something she did at the beaches as well. Eventually, I decided that I had best go see if there was a hike I wanted to do before it became very hot. I did find a hike, the Alkali Flat Trail. I started the hike, then found a sign saying it was a strenuous 5 miles and approximately 3 hours long, I was debating whether to turn back and get a bit more water when Luna made my decision for me with a spot of business that needed hauling to the garbage. I was very glad later on in the hike that I had topped off the water and applied more sunscreen as we ended up with just enough water to be happy for the hike. Only a few dunes in I stopped, in absolute awe of the beauty around me; dune after dune of the purest white with mountains as a backdrop. I felt very grateful to be there with Luna. We stopped for a good amount of water and photo breaks along the way and completed the hike at 2:45, having started at 12:10. There was a couple that started the hike at the same time as I and I tried my best to distance myself from them, wanting a nice, quiet hike and privacy to let Luna off-leash when I stopped for photos. The couple got further and further away and eventually must have turned around and headed back to the parking lot, I did not see anyone else the entire hike, only one set of footprints seemed to have completed that hike before me today. I came across perhaps five or so ladybugs on the hike, it seemed odd, being in the middle of the desert and these little bugs just hanging out on the dunes.
Arriving back at the car, I headed to a picnic area I had seen with many covered picnic tables. The shade was a beautiful thing and Luna and I spent a little while there. Not long after, clouds rolled in, cooling the place down thoroughly. I decided to head to the visitors centre and fill up on water, maybe check out the store and get something to eat, then come back for sunset. I purchased a bean and cheese burrito and some candy, eating it in my car as people went in and out of the visitors centre. I couple in the car next to me commented on Luna, asking what breed she was “She’s a mutt, maybe some Heeler, who knows!” I answered, “Just a really good dog”, the woman said with a smile, yep, the best! I could not have been more full of love for Luna today, watching her playing so happily, then being such a trooper on this very hot hike I took her on, then digging in the sand anytime we took a rest despite how hot and tired she appeared. The wind picked up so suddenly and with such force, that I opted not to re-enter the dunes. So many vehicles were leaving them, visibility looked poor and even out of the main dune area, sand flew through my slightly open windows and in to my eyes. I headed out and scouted for a McDonald’s parking lot to use wifi for a little while. As I drove back to the Oliver Lee State Park campground, the sun was setting beautifully, the sky a peach colour with a pink/purple hue dripping down in the clouds, it was stunning, had I been at the monument, I don’t think I would have been able to see much with all the sand flying around in that wind (not to mention my eyes being closed with the sand flying in my face!). As soon as I found a campsite, we settled in for the night, the wind howling outside.
Get ready for a record number of photos....
Get ready for a record number of photos....
I absolutely love this photo!
Morning views at my campsite
This view was right out my window when I woke up, the lighting was prettier before, I just hadn't bothered to take a photo.
So fast her ears are pinned back!
Luna's pirate face.
She's...a very special dog!
Sand nose
Working hard here!
So happy!
I put her leash on to continue the walk, then as I was putting my stuff in my pack, she went to do more zoomies!
Look at all that sand being kicked up!
I loved all the designs in the sand.
My trail markers.
Desert dog (she wishes this was snow!)
The best I could do, my greasy, messy hair, oily skin, dirty clothes and sun in my eyes, but it was quite possibly my favourite place, so I had to risk a photo anyway.
Luna waiting for me to finish on wifi, she was tuckered out!
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