https:\/\/goo.gl\/photos\/uivqoiEmjd4BemfK8<\/a><\/p>\nOur day trip began with a drive to UPS at Las Cruces, where we had to pick up a package, followed by what\u2019s become lately a mandatory stop at Walmart. Now, I must confess that I\u2019ve started to use Wally\u2019s not only as a shopping place, but also as a window into the soul of the country and<\/strong> a social parlor. You will find all kinds of people there, mainly lower income and middle class, which is the stigma associated with the chain, but there also quite a few fancy cars parked in front. In New Mexico, that would be pimped up pickup trucks with a raised suspension and tinted windows, in contrast to the East Coast, where it\u2019s mostly Japanese and German luxury brands. But I digress. After a pleasant and quite lengthy chat with an aging gay employee, I had to come to terms with the fact that Walmart doesn\u2019t carry everything I need and that are other stores too. At this point, I won\u2019t remove any stars from my rating of the store, but you better watch it, Wally\u2019s!<\/p>\nBack to the White Sands. It\u2019s an 8 mile drive loop, unfortunately a lot of the pull-over points were closed. Nonetheless, it\u2019s a fun drive, as the asphalt ends at some point and then one rolls onto a white river of packed sand. We stopped at a bunch of places and the kids had the time of their lives running up the sand dunes and then rolling downhill, head over heels. As the evening progressed, we witnessed a majestic sunset against the backdrop of the mountains – the park is in the Tularosa basin, ringed by mountains – everything bathed in gold, pink and purple. A full moon started to emerge from behind the mountains and the dunes started glowing in the moonlight. Spoiler:<\/strong>\u00a0at this point, we were promptly directed to leave the park, as it closes at 7pm this time of the year. Really, people? For what, \u201csafety reasons\u201d? Perhaps also due to safety, no alcohol is allowed in the park b\/w April and May. Why only these two months is beyond me, if you\u2019ve got any ideas feel free to comment\u2026 Good thing we\u2019re in October, as my fridge is stocked.<\/p>\nAfter all this, we couldn\u2019t help it but go back again today. More rolling downhill, more sun and lots of sunscreen.<\/p>\n
Once again pack up and hit the road. Destination: Brantley Lake State park, NM, where I am writing this in the company of a large population of wild rabbits, large and small. It\u2019s blowing hard, at least 15\u201320 mph and I wish my friend Pavel was here, with his kite surf, of course. And s***t, the wind just spilled my wine, gotta go!<\/p>\n
Tomorrow: destination unknown.<\/p>\n
Pictures here:\u00a0https:\/\/goo.gl\/photos\/uivqoiEmjd4BemfK8<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"White Sands National Monument Hot. Hot and sandy. Well, what did you expect, it\u2019s the…<\/p>\n
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