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What a Wonderful World (An #AtoZChallenge Post): W is for White Sands National Park

 

A sign near the visitor's center parking lot says "White Sands National Park"

My husband recently re-retired, and we are front-loading travel. My #AtoZChallenge posts this year will explore our travels--some pre-retirement, some post. Today's location: White Sands National Park in New Mexico.

White Sands National Park is aptly named. We took the mile-long Dune Life Nature Trail to learn more about the flora and fauna of the area, and were rewarded with finding several animal tracks in the sand.

Lines of little tracks from some unknown animal decorate the sand

While the sand dunes seem inhospitable to life, some trees defy the odds and somehow manage to find enough moisture to live.

A lone tree, with roots visible above the sand, grows in the white sand

The sand even covers the road, as this sign so helpfully tells visitors:

a sign at the side of a sandy road states, "You are now Driving on Sand"

We decided to try out the most popular activity at White Sands National Park: sledding down the dunes. The visitor's center offers sled rentals. We picked up a sled and headed to the sledding area. The video below shows my husband demonstrating how sledding should be done: 


And here I am keeping things real, somersaulting off my sled at the bottom of the hill: 


I head-over-heels recommend visiting White Sands National Park! 

Come back tomorrow to see where in the world we'll visit next!




Comments

  1. Sledding on the sand - how cool!! We live in Alabama and our sand on the gulf coast is so white. I actually googled your national park and was surprised to see that it is simply sand - no water! So is it like a desert? I can google it again!

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    Replies
    1. Hi Lisa! White Sands National Park is most definitely desert. :-)

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  2. This place does look like fun! Although I do love the white sand beaches Lisa mentioned.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would love to see those white sand beaches someday.

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  3. I missed that one but love the photos. Hey, only three letters left! We've got this!!

    Donna: Click for my 2025 A-Z Blog

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    Replies
    1. As much as I've enjoyed the research and writing of the A to Z Challenge posts, I am looking forward to the finish line!

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  4. Beautiful photos. I'm glad you were not hurt in the sand sledding activity.

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  5. Nice photos. White Sands reminded me of the White Desert in Egypt. Visiting from the A-Z, all the best.

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    Replies
    1. I haven't been to Egypt but would like to visit someday. Thanks for stopping by!

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