11/26 White Sands National Park/ Guadalupe Mountains National Park

The last time we visited this magical place it was a National Monument; this is our first opportunity to revisit since it was granted Park status.

This is the only sign that we found that has its new name on it! 

There's been kind of a lot going on ever since it happened and clearly they have had no opportunity to update the rest of their signage.

We love this unique and spectacular environment! 

It is the largest gypsum dune field in the world, and the park protects about 40% of it. 

The park is completely surrounded by the White Sands National Missile Range - no testing was in progress on this visit, but we did have to wait outside the perimeter once for the signal. As it is an active missile test site, access to the park is cut off whenever they are testing.

This was Violet's first visit; unfortunately, we did not bring our sled!

It's always stunning here, but next time we'd like to try and time it for a sunrise or a sunset.

We headed for our next destination, Guadalupe Mountains National park, via Cloudcroft. While always a lovely part of New Mexico, it is clear this area of the state is almost as desperate for rain as we have been in Houston.

We didn't have much time in the park, but were able to stop at Pine Springs

and then enjoy a late afternoon picnic with a sun-gilded El Capitan as a backdrop!

Tomorrow will be a long haul across Texas to get home in time to clean up Van Go, switch out the fall décor for Christmas, and get ready for next week at school!

We have so much to be grateful for, but among our blessings we are so thankful to count Van Go and all the opportunities it has afforded us.