Today we left Las Cruces on US 70 headed NE towards Alamagordo, Ruidoso, Roswell, and Portales. We had hoped to make Amarillo, but we spent an hour at the White Sands, and another hour for our brunch at a Denny's. Every time I go to a Denny's, I swear it is the last time.
Once we cleared the Organ Mountains east of Las Cruces, this was the scenery around the White Sands Missle Range. The snow-capped peak is near Cloudcraft:
The White Sands are something to see. The sand is gypsum, washed out of the mountain rock.
Up by Ruidoso, we traveled through the mountains. The pass was about 7700 feet, but the driving was pretty easy. There was snow in the shade in peoples' yards, probably from the night before. This should be Capitan Peak, about 10,000 feet. Or it's Sierra Blanca, about 12,000 feet.
Once out of the mountains, the hills eventually give way to somewhat grassy high plains/desert, with cattle, horses, and tumbleweeds. Towns are scarce and barely alive, so be sure to keep an eye on the map and fuel gauge.
BTW, Terry was driving when this photo was snapped!
We are one of only 3 or 4 campers in the state park. It's the same land as the photo above, but with a few trees. Nothing to block the wind, but we are parked heading into it so it shouldn't rock us too much tonight.
Tomorrow we expect to sleep somewhere in Oklahoma.
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