phyris

White Sands National Park - White Sands is unusual as the "sand" is actually gypsum. That is why it is white. Unlike regular sand, it does not get hot so you will see people walking barefoot even though it is a hot day. The first part of the road after you enter the park is paved but eventually all you see is white. It is a little mind bending to be driving along a road that is white and looks like snow when it is hot outside.

I’ve presented photos from an evening hike ending with a beautiful sunset and also a morning hike in which I was blessed with blue skies and white clouds in one direction and stormy, dark clouds in another directions. It is unusual to get both at the same time. There is a main trail marked through the desert and there are warnings to not stray too far from the trail as you might get lost. Most people stay close to the various parking areas and play on the dunes, so all the near dunes are covered with footprints. As a photographer, I was looking for dunes without footprints. Those you can find if you just go off the main trail where you can find untouched dunes along with areas that have quite a few plants.