Electric Moments at White Sands National Monument

Somehow we did not know White Sands National Monument even existed until I stumbled upon an Instagram pic a year ago and knew we just had to go.  It has to be one of the best kept travel secrets in the U.S. If you can manage to go there when they are not testing missiles (no exaggeration...make sure to read the brochure and website ahead of time), you will love the experience. Taking this route through Nevada was on of the best surprise travel experiences we ever had. So many fascinating roadside things to see and explore from clown motels to plane wrecks and alien brothels (more on that in upcoming posts).

We were fortunate enough to have an amazing catch to randomly spot two horses roaming over a sea of white sand covered in cotton-candy clouds surrounded by lightening storms in the distance. The lightening was behind us, but an all-around magnificent panorama to sit and watch as the sun set. Occasional dust devils would kick up and you could see little mini tornadoes of sand kicked up in the distance, or beams of light would pour through the clouds onto the sea of white dunes, making the person standing there look they were being blessed by the heavens.  Some people took sleds down the dunes. Some people picnicked. Most just wandered and took pictures. It was not very crowded on the dunes, but come sunset, the line of cars to get into the park was backed up a long distance.  If you decide to visit, you will definitely want to go a couple hours before sunset, with light casts the most amazing shadows from the sand at dusk.

We took a drive though the next town headed west and stopped at an antique store. The proprietor was about the nicest man you could ever meet. He welcomed us and gave us a history of the town and some nearby travel tips.  Definitely worth checking out if you are nearby.