Photo Journal Entry: Alamogordo, New Mexico
From sky reaching canyon walls to spreading lowland plains and plunging valleys, A tiny slice of New Mexico from fall, 2016
A number of years ago, I was incredibly lucky to be offered a business trip to Alamogordo New Mexico through one of the jobs I had at the time. For 11 days I had evenings and weekends free to explore the countryside surrounding the town. Through a few short walks, a couple of drives into the hills, and two longer hiking expeditions into the canyons, I soaked up every bit of the landscape that I could experience. These photos show this is a small taste of what I saw.
The view down valley from Tunnel Vista Observation Site along highway 82
Birds nest safely crafted in the branches of a large cholla cactus
The lone tree, wind worn but holding on to life in its inward-most branches
I’m particularly fond of this lone tree on the hill. An image representing the need for resilience that all of the flora seems to exemplify in the this desert landscape
Now for some mandatory desert roads…
The “tunnel” of Tunnel Vista Observation Site
White Sands National Park
Gypsum crystals create a vast white plain for miles. A bright and shining alien landscape that truly spectacular to witness! I feel like this is one of the more unique National Parks, definitely outstanding in my book. It is a really crazy thing to drive for hours in the desert, passing the same grey, orange, and brown earth tones for the most part, and then to see the white dunes rising up out of the distance, blindingly so if the sun is on them. Although the facilities are somewhat limited and the dunes themselves are just about all there is here, I would still give the park 10/10 stars for what it is, a truly unique experience with something interesting and rare to offer as far as things both to do and to see. I would highly recommend visiting if the opportunity arises!
Thanks Alamogordo for the great hospitality!