Alamogordo, New Mexico
February 11–12, 2022
February 11–12, 2022
The drive over the mountains from Roswell to Alamogordo was stunning, passing through Lincoln National Forest and cresting a nearly 8000-foot peak along the way. There was snow! The town of Alamogordo gave me much the same impression as Roswell—not much for me here, thanks—but yet again the landscape around the town was eye-popping.
I stayed at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, and I spent some time hiking around the trails through the auspiciously named Dog Canyon and learning about native plants in the Chihuahuan desert garden. I also learned about François-Jean “Frenchy” Rochas, who homesteaded on the land in the late 1800s, all alone. Frenchy seemed like a harder worker than I, but I nevertheless felt a kinship with this man who wanted to be all alone in the desert.
I also spent a day at White Sands National Park, sledding on the dunes, hiking with the dogs, and marveling at the acres and acres of white gypsum sand. Even more unusual than the pure white sand was the chance meeting I had while walking down out of the Dune Life Nature Trail: I was walking behind a couple, and suddenly I recognized the man’s profile. “Is that Rob and Claire?” I asked, and it was! The proprietors of Montpelier’s own Bear Pond Books were right there ahead of me on the trail in White Sands. What are the chances?! We had a nice catch-up about our respective travels and agreed to check in once we were both back in Vermont.
I stayed at Oliver Lee Memorial State Park, and I spent some time hiking around the trails through the auspiciously named Dog Canyon and learning about native plants in the Chihuahuan desert garden. I also learned about François-Jean “Frenchy” Rochas, who homesteaded on the land in the late 1800s, all alone. Frenchy seemed like a harder worker than I, but I nevertheless felt a kinship with this man who wanted to be all alone in the desert.
I also spent a day at White Sands National Park, sledding on the dunes, hiking with the dogs, and marveling at the acres and acres of white gypsum sand. Even more unusual than the pure white sand was the chance meeting I had while walking down out of the Dune Life Nature Trail: I was walking behind a couple, and suddenly I recognized the man’s profile. “Is that Rob and Claire?” I asked, and it was! The proprietors of Montpelier’s own Bear Pond Books were right there ahead of me on the trail in White Sands. What are the chances?! We had a nice catch-up about our respective travels and agreed to check in once we were both back in Vermont.
