We got to White Sands National Monument around 10:00 a.m. We went inside the visitors center. Us 3 older children did the activity book to become a ranger and got a badge and patch saying that we were Junior Rangers at White Sands National Monument. It was very fun and simple to become a Junior Ranger.
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| hot chocolate from friends was perfect on this chilly windy day |
Then we went and played in the 'White Sands' for awhile. It looks like snow but isn't quite as soft as snow is!!
Mineral gypsum turns into selenite crystal. The sand is made from selenite crystals. The crystal at first is very skinny and tall, then it gets grainy, and then it is very fine. The wind blows and blows the crystal until it becomes fine. It is not quite as thin, soft, and fine as snow. The wind shapes it into mountains. It is very tricky to climb up because when you start climbing the sand starts rolling, tumbling, and falling down. When it's really windy and you are trying to climb up you start to get sand in your face, hair, and clothes. Us 3 older children liked to run and then jump down the mountain into the snow! Riley would actually leap. I didn't quite leap. I was too scared I was going to hit the van at the bottom of the hill.
The sand was pretty to look at and fun to play in! :)
That looks like alot of fun! Wondering if you could use a sled like you do for snow? You have a beautiful family!
ReplyDeleteWe saw people walking out of the visitor's center with large saucers for sledding. It looked really fun, so Shannon checked it out...$17, then if you bring it back, $12. We decided to skip it. Then it was so windy & cool we were glad. (but we did try our plastic cutting board & tote lid & tupperware bowl!)
ReplyDeleteThat looks like FUN to play in that white sand, Annie:) Did it blow on the road like it looks in the picture? You guys are finding some neat places! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteHi Annie, That really does look like a lot of fun to play in - did you find lots of sand in unusual places when you were done? How about in the van or motor home? I really do enjoy your writing expertise!
DeleteAlissa,
DeleteIt did blow on the road some. If it would have been more windy the roads would have been covered with sand. Having lots of fun. Thanks for the comment!
A.Junell,
I did find the sand in the cracks between my toes. Actually no sand got into the motor home. Probably some sand got in but it was just so small of an amount that you couldn't see it. Thank you for the compliment!! I really enjoy writing on the blog some!!