What I'm Listening To

Another trip back in time for me.....

Guadalupe Peak

There were several cute little wildflowers on our way up to Guadalupe Peak. I believe this one may be called Indian Paintbrush... or something related to a paintbrush! I also saw several types of small yellow flowers, and a purple flower that I assumed was some sort of verbena.

At the top of Texas: Guadalupe Peak/ 8, 749 feet, marked by a monument recognizing overland stage and air travel.

View of El Capitan from Guadalupe Peak

Hiking along one of many switch backs that this day hike has to offer. The trail from Pine Springs campground to Guadalupe Peak and back is 8.4 miles. We were able to do this in 5 1/2 hours, although it can take 6-8 hours.

Texas madrone.
We saw several of these beautiful red berried trees on this hike and the McKittrick Canyon hike (stay tuned...).

Beautiful blue-ish colored agaves mixed with little bluestem.

Unknown oak.
Apparently there are several species of oaks in the area and some can be hard to distinguish. One of the amazing aspects of this hike is that it takes you through your dry desert landscape with prickly pears and agaves, but with a little elevation and a turn of a corner, you see oaks, maples, and pine trees... plants that remind you of home!

Just another awesome view of what used to be an ancient marine reef.

I love you too, Prickly Pear cactus!

They aren't kidding when they say one gallon of water per person, per day! This hike is labeled as difficult...even more so as it teases you with false summits. But, it is a beautiful hike and the view at the top is well worth it. Just make sure you don't dehydrate yourself before you get up there!

White Sands National Monument

The quietness of White Sands NM is impossible to describe. It was a silence I wish I could experience more often! Amazing!

There are some persistent plants that grow in these gypsum sand dunes! Some plants like the soap tree yucca have adapted to grow faster in order to "beat" the sand dune. Some plants like the cottonwood tree barely keep leaves peaking above the dunes, but they are still very much alive. Plants like this shrub above have formed a tight grip onto the sand with their root systems. As the sand dune moves, it leaves the plant sitting on it's own pedestal!

I was excited to see some Little Bluestem growing in the gypsum!

Wind+ gypsum sand= pretty cool sand art!

At the visitor center you can buy/rent sleds to take a ride down the dunes! You "buy" the sled, but if you return it, they'll give you $5 back. I think I would like winter a lot better if it snowed sand and was 80 degrees out!

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!