Yesterday was the second day at White Sands. It was amazing. I was out walking around the dunes for about 3 hours. It was an incredible experience to be out there in this huge field of almost nothing. I think I saw one other person and he was probably like a quarter of a mile away. Had lunch on top a dune and just sat for a bit. On the way back toward Las Cruces and on to Deming, I stopped at Missile Park to look around. I was told I could only take pictures facing the mountains and not down onto the missile range. I wonder if someone was actually watching me to see that I followed the rules. Didn’t really feel like pushing it though. I learned a few important things there and on my trip to Deming, NM later in the day. Some of them you’d think I would have learned by now.
1. Sunglasses would have been a good idea. Apparently white sand reflects light. Who knew?
2. Sunscreen would also have been a good idea for the same reason. I now have a really crucial ball cap burn line that will be fun to explain to people who see the pictures of the wedding I’m going to today.
3. Whether you are a U.S. citizen or not, border control check points are a little scary.
4. The only bar in Deming seems to be the Holiday Inn hotel bar.
Prototype housing for the first first atomic bomb “Fat Boy”
Due to the bar suddenly becoming populated by Red Room regulars last night, I was obliged to stay and drink beer. Therefore I didn’t have a chance to go through the photos and get them up. Excuses, excuses. Today some of us got up early and had breakfast in the lobby. I went with Ann to help finish the decorating at the house where the reception will be. I ran into Brandon a little while ago and we went out to get some BBQ at this place I saw last evening. The brisket was amazing. The woman invited us to look around out back where they had a horseshoe pitch and a paintball course. She warned us that as it was kind of cool out we should watch for rattle snakes. We didn’t leave the porch. Looking forward to the wedding. More later.