flying solo // white sands national monument

I'm done waiting for someone to go places with. Time to get out and fly solo.

Driving for four hours is perfect. Planning for a stop at that time has really improved my road tripping experience. After leaving Los Poblanos in Albuquerque, New Mexico, I decided that my half way to Marfa, Texas destination would be White Sands National Monument.

I left Los Poblanos, an hour earlier than I had planned. I love the open road in the morning. A fresh start. I put on the new Lumineers album and listened to it two times. Driving on a mostly empty road, watching the scenery pass by. The sky so much larger than in the city, the colors more vibrant. I stop at a rest area an hour out of town, to have a moment to take it all in.

White Sands National Monument is a four hour drive from Albuquerque. On a solitary road, not many fellow travelers, which I’ve come to prefer. Though it does make me stop to fuel up more often, just in case. Once inside the park, I stopped at the first trail. A one mile loop at mid-day, the weather on March 1st was perfect. Warm, not too hot. Bright, perfect with sunglasses. The sand was packed and easy to move through without much effort. I stretch out on a dune letting the vitamin D absorb into my skin.

Though a brief stop, I am happy to have been able to experience this magnificent natural wonder. The sand was soothing to my soul and made me feel at home.

Listen: Morning music: The Lumineers, Dashboard Confessional. Mid-morning: One Direction, Rainbow Kitten Surprise. Afternoon: Fall Out Boy

Stay: I didn’t stay but would love to come back and camp.

To Do: All the hiking!

Eat: Bring your own!

Shop: Got a sticker for my water bottle in the gift shop.