Talk about social distancing!
White Sands National Monument in New Mexico is a blinding alien landscape with giant shifting dunes of pure white gypsum sand.
A unique dry lake bed forms a never ending supply of the snowy mineral that blows across the barren landscape.
Normally the gypsum would dissolve in the rain, but rain nearly never falls in this desert, so the giant sandbox continues to grow and grow.
See more about this area of New Mexico
Most of the wildlife — lizards, mice, rabbits and foxes — that inhabit this peculiar environment have adapted, becoming white to blend in with the surrounding sand for protection.
However, according to one of the park signs, these little guys still end up as tasty little dishes of fast food. Call us wacky, but that seems like the sign might be just a tad disturbing to the kiddies.
Good thing ours are all grown up.
David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com
That sounds really neat!
It is Sher, like being in a blizzard in the middle of summer.
That’s incredible! I’ve never heard of this place before reading it here. Now I want to go!
Definitely worth seeing next time you are in New Mexico.
What an intense landscape!
Yes, very strange, looks like snow but almost alien.
Wow, it looks like snow! The many wonders you can find in the US never ceases to amaze me.
So true, there is so much to see in this great country.
Spectacular photos, nesters! I love New Mexico but have only seen the north. Next trip–White Sands!! Thanks for the head’s up re the static electricity.
Thanks Lesley, enjoy the trip.
Beautiful and very intriguing terrain! Like you, I am particularly amazed by this trees endurance in such an inhospitable environment.
WOW! Despite all my travels through New Mexico I have never heard of this place. Great find! 🙂
Thanks Derek, it’s kind of out of the way.