Las Cruces and White Sands

After our fun time together at Carlsbad Caverns we decided to follow our friends to the KOA in Las Cruces for a couple days. They managed to secure a spot for us right next to their "best site in the place" and that's no exaggeration. Our sites offered an amazing view of Las Cruces from atop a mountain, but theirs included a covered, lighted gazebo for dining and socializing.

As soon as we arrived, to the pool we went. You can actually see our RV in the background of this photo, looking out over the city of Las Cruces.

Our Fulltime Families group has a book club of which the Gebbias are part of. She invited me to sit in on the Google call because the author would be on to speak about Yosemite, which happens to be on our schedule this year. Mike Graf's Parker series books feature the adventures of a husband, wife and their twins in our country's National Parks. It was very interesting to hear his writing process and the insider tips for his favorite park, Yosemite. Just before concluding the call, there was a drawing for his next book, "Danger In The Narrows" - about Zion and Bryce, and I was the winner! We are excited to read this book!

While the men prepared dinner, the kids went exploring and collected pinecones. After 

sharing a delicious meal we sat around talking until it was hours past the kids' bedtimes. 

The next morning we drove to White Sands National Park together. The dunes are made of crushed gypsum, so they are more corse than what we're used to, but the gleaming white color was a nice change. This is the world's largest gypsum dunefield rising 60ft high and covering 275 square miles. Driving there looked like we were driving thru snow.

Asher on a dune looking out over the parking lot/covered picnic table area at the base of the dunes.

Views from the top

Journey waxing up her sled. We enjoyed sledding for a couple hours.

Journey with Rambler's puppy, also called Rambler. She wanted him to go sledding with us.

We hiked the short boardwalk trail. The kids were disappointed to not spot any wildlife, but we did see a beautiful blue whiptail lizard near the visitor center.

Our wonderful traveling companions, Heather, Chris, Jake and Jessee.

The National Parks have a Jr Ranger program which teaches children all about the park. They earn a badge by filling out booklets with games, questions about the park and talking to rangers. We tried doing this a year ago when we first left Vegas, but the kids were really too young. This time they were ready and excited to do this. We helped them complete the booklets and watched proudly as they were "sworn in" repeating a pledge to be responsible visitors and protect the park.

That night the boys put on their Junior Ranger Vests and badges while dinner was prepared.

(Journey's vest has been ordered.) 

We shared one last dinner before saying goodbye the next morning.