White Sands National Monument

BY TAYLOR DUNCAN | POSTED: NOV 30, 2018

I finally got to White Sands National Monument after two full days of driving. There is nothing special about driving across the plains, so I was ready for a break from the endless flat countryside! Even the drive up to the dunes was nothing special, but once I got to the visitors' center, I knew I was in for a treat.

I was supposed to meet @dani_the_explorer, @scottyreichard, and @spencerfochtman for some dune exploration, but there wasn't quite a concrete plan yet. Until they got to the dunes, I decided not to venture too far in and did some shorter, touristy hikes remaining in cell service. These were a nice taste for what we would later find. I was able to get a fuller dune experience reading all of the information signs they had and spotted some of the dune wildlife that has adapted incredibly well to the white sand.

Around noon, I met the three Instagrammers for the first time, and we ventured further into the dunes to the Alkali Flats trail - a five mile loop at the heart of the dunes. There are markers for the trail, but we wandered around aimlessly making jokes, laughing, and taking photos as we went.

Both Spencer and I had both been to Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, and we kept trying to compare the two dune fields. It was hard not to. The beauty from the Great Sand Dunes came from their vastness and enormity. The White Sands however are much different. They are not as large and do not cover as much geographical area, but look pure because they are perfectly white.

Our day continued on to a campsite in the backcountry camping area - Campsite 2. This site offered perfect access to the dune field for sunset. After dinner, we hiked through the dunes.

There are markers for the trail, but we wandered around aimlessly making jokes, laughing, and taking photos as we went.


They changed color while the sun started to set. I thought the Great Sand Dunes were beautiful at sunset, but these dunes mirrored the colors of the sky perfectly. They turned a golden yellow at the start of the sunset and then changed to red then purple and lastly blue before the darkness took over. It was an experience that I won't soon forget, and I'm sure none of my companions will either!

As the night came, our shenanigans continued into the campsite, creating memories with lots of inside jokes. We researched the position of the Milky Way for that night and found that it would be visible at 4:30 am, when the moon went away. We set our alarms for four and called it a night.

Spencer, Scotty, and I woke ready to go, but Dani remained in her tent, needing that extra beauty sleep! She definitely missed out! The Milky Way was almost vertical in the southern sky. As our eyes adjusted, we moved a tent for photo purposes. The stars seemed to get brighter and brighter!

We planned some shots and experimented with flashlights for the majority of the time, and got some incredible photos! The light in the clouds in these two photos is light pollution from Las Cruces, NM and El Paso, TX. I'm usually not a fan of light pollution, but in this case it adds another element to the photos that I think really works!

As dawn and the sunrise approached, the sands started to change their color again, and we were treated to an incredible display in the sky! I've come to find that I've been pretty spoiled when I've been in the Southwest. There haven't been many sunrise or sunset duds!

After sunrise, we packed up camp and headed back to the cars. Spencer had an extra day in New Mexico, and he decided to tag along with me to my next location, Shiprock! We said our goodbyes to Dani and Scotty and went our separate ways.

White Sands National Monument

BY TAYLOR DUNCAN | 12.19.18

I finally got to White Sands National Monument after two full days of driving. There is nothing special about driving across the plains, so I was ready for a break from the endless flat countryside! Even the drive up to the dunes was nothing special, but once I got to the visitors' center, I knew I was in for a treat.

I was supposed to meet @dani_the_explorer, @scottyreichard, and @spencerfochtman for some dune exploration, but there wasn't quite a concrete plan yet. Until they got to the dunes, I decided not to venture too far in and did some shorter, touristy hikes remaining in cell service. These were a nice taste for what we would later find. I was able to get a fuller dune experience reading all of the information signs they had and spotted some of the dune wildlife that has adapted incredibly well to the white sand.

Around noon, I met the three Instagrammers for the first time, and we ventured further into the dunes to the Alkali Flats trail - a five mile loop at the heart of the dunes. There are markers for the trail, but we wandered around aimlessly making jokes, laughing, and taking photos as we went.

Both Spencer and I had both been to Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, and we kept trying to compare the two dune fields. It was hard not to. The beauty from the Great Sand Dunes came from their vastness and enormity. The White Sands however are much different. They are not as large and do not cover as much geographical area, but look pure because they are perfectly white.

Our day continued on to a campsite in the backcountry camping area - Campsite 2. This site offered perfect access to the dune field for sunset. After dinner, we hiked through the dunes.

There are markers for the trail, but we wandered around aimlessly making jokes, laughing, and taking photos as we went.


They changed color while the sun started to set. I thought the Great Sand Dunes were beautiful at sunset, but these dunes mirrored the colors of the sky perfectly. They turned a golden yellow at the start of the sunset and then changed to red then purple and lastly blue before the darkness took over. It was an experience that I won't soon forget, and I'm sure none of my companions will either!

As the night came, our shenanigans continued into the campsite, creating memories with lots of inside jokes. We researched the position of the Milky Way for that night and found that it would be visible at 4:30 am, when the moon went away. We set our alarms for four and called it a night.

Spencer, Scotty, and I woke ready to go, but Dani remained in her tent, needing that extra beauty sleep! She definitely missed out! The Milky Way was almost vertical in the southern sky. As our eyes adjusted, we moved a tent for photo purposes. The stars seemed to get brighter and brighter!

We planned some shots and experimented with flashlights for the majority of the time, and got some incredible photos! The light in the clouds in these two photos is light pollution from Las Cruces, NM and El Paso, TX. I'm usually not a fan of light pollution, but in this case it adds another element to the photos that I think really works!

As dawn and the sunrise approached, the sands started to change their color again, and we were treated to an incredible display in the sky! I've come to find that I've been pretty spoiled when I've been in the Southwest. There haven't been many sunrise or sunset duds!

After sunrise, we packed up camp and headed back to the cars. Spencer had an extra day in New Mexico, and he decided to tag along with me to my next location, Shiprock! We said our goodbyes to Dani and Scotty, and went our separate ways.

Taylor Duncan

Taylor is a landscape and adventure photographer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His passion has taken him all over the United States, parts of western Canada, and down to South America. Taylor is an ongoing student of the art always looking for new places to travel to and new compositions to try out. His photographic goal is to experience as much of the world as possible and in turn, inspire others to go out and experience it as well.

Taylor Duncan

Taylor is a landscape and adventure photographer based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His passion has taken him all over the United States, parts of western Canada, and down to South America. Taylor is an ongoing student of the art always looking for new places to travel to and new compositions to try out. His photographic goal is to experience as much of the world as possible and in turn, inspire others to go out and experience it as well.

Comments 21240

Billielerly on

]

AmmuchiSeason Finale – EP 09 – Season 01 – Sadukudu [url=https://nakkalitesoffl.ar-one.info/aqjdmbueaM2wsKI/ammuchi-season.html]SadukuduTamil[/url] Web Series #Nakkalites

LouncCouddy on

cbd hemp cbd cbd gummies walmart cbd vape oil [url=https://bestcbdoiltws.com/ ]benefits of cbd [/url]

affiplokfounk on

fab cbd purekana diamond cbd

studybayws on

NEED ESSAY WRITING ?

Save your time and get your essay written by a professional writer.
We can cover any topic on any subject in the blink of an eye.
Cuny graduate center dissertations eauxz.

Order NOW!!! ==> https://essaypro.co

]

Custom masters content samples
Research papers on technology and todays students
Emergency room nurse sample resume

Top essays editor for hire for masters
Creative book report ideas for highschool students
My homework.Com

Resume grad school msw
Professional annotated bibliography writing sites ca
Financial accounting with homework

dissertation chapter writing websites for school ttism[/url] biography proofreading services for college iwduj[/url] paper writers websites for masters tpkir[/url] with my popular university essay online klsrq[/url] c868574

Authorized to work in us resume
Pharaoh essay
Purchase argumentative essays

HGtYUPlKMnGFW
http://www.saeys.se/gastbok/go.php?url=https://essaypro.me/

graduate center dissertations eauxz[/b] pro[/url]

Sample resume entry level social worker
Life magazine photo essays
Essay nature science skeptical

paper writer service for masters syvxo[/url] gre issue essay samples mdoxa[/url] statement for research paper on maya angelou aztll[/url] report fudge a mania fuamw[/url] critical thinking writers website for masters azegf[/url]

algebra 2 help editapaper.com

graduate center dissertations eauxz[/b] construction resume ugkrd[/url] report ghostwriter sites for school kgusc[/url] thesis computers zixmc[/url] my u.S. History and government cover letter wydnk[/url] pro[/url]

https://amara.org/en/profiles/profile/6eHnLVzPVjS5DzAn7op7MHMbb_dRVarfXpCKtfrbJIw/
https://images.google.md/url?q=https://studybay.ws
https://google.com.bo/url?q=https://edubirdie.review

Creative writing topics essays
Popular university annotated bibliography sample
How to write an abstract on research

[url=http://vandrouka.ru/]сайт vandrouki ru[/url]
[url=http://aviasalkes.ru]авиасейлс официальный сайт дешевые авиабилеты купить[/url]

https://www.tech.adventuredrivendesign.com/DeonlkBlakeleykl
https://maps.google.com.cu/url?q=https://buyessayusa.com

Beauty therapist resume sample
How to write numbers in words
Best mba essay editor website uk

http://mediaciomost.hu/forums/topic/proposal-rationale-how-to-write-fjrxr/page/9/#post-109805
http://hentai-tube.com/739/?unapproved=44335&moderation-hash=1009483c6484492c6b9db12647c67ae4#comment-44335
https://theritage.com/blogs/news/16562355-silent-aution-raised-more-than-20-000-00?comment=95576555555#comments

Cuny graduate center dissertations eauxz
http://forum.ornisoft.com/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=329472&p=806273#p806273
http://www.format-a3.ru/events/event-374/blog-posts/35.html#cmnt-274201
https://www.pirates4all.com/v2/index.php?/topic/161239-essay-samples-college-ybyjd/&page=9#comment-261226

approach master thesis ihkoy[/url] book report projects leqeb[/url] essay topic bfgst[/url] about internet usage yzvjs[/url] graduate center dissertations eauxz[/b] of admission essays for college tezdw[/url] letter sample for internship in business jdbey[/url] research papers uvyom[/url] proofreading for hire online ncmen[/url]

]
Hotel room 12th floor essay plan
Critical analysis of macbeth essay
Thesis in research paper

graduate center dissertations eauxz[/b] business plan[/url] movie review writers for hire for school mhttb[/url] aliens exist essay nzegt[/url] to write application letter for employment caydg[/url] letter for internship job knthu[/url] coursework lmtph[/url]

Sheereesmecy on

cannabidiol cbd effects joy organics cbd cbd store

LouncCouddy on

where to buy cialis cialis canada tadalafil without a doctor prescription cialis online generic

InisreltPlutsit on

https://cialbuyonlinewmw.com/ cialis tadalafil cialis daily cialis medication erectile medicines viagra cialis

Oscarasype on

Откройте чтобы [url=https://porno-suchek.com/]порно видео сучек с неграми[/url] себя вселенная порно, каким вы его снова не видели. Лучшее [url=https://porno-suchek.com/categories/%D0%97%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8B%D0%B5+%D0%B6%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%89%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8B/]чешское порно зрелых женщин[/url] онлайн быть участии знаменитых порнозвезд, горячих любительниц и сексапильных моделей. Воззриться [url=https://porno-suchek.com/categories/%D0%A0%D1%83%D1%81%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B5/]порно фото на русском языке[/url] у нас бесплатно может круг, чтобы этого довольно кликнуть на понравившийся вам ролик, а кроме восторгаться просмотром! Огромное обилие самых разнообразных клипов, отсортированных сообразно категориям, позволят вам найти именно то, что нравится больше всего. Мы гарантируем – наши порно видео https://porno-suchek.com/categories/%D0%97%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BB%D1%8B%D0%B5+%D0%B6%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%89%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%8B/ не оставят вас равнодушными.

InisreltPlutsit on

https://buycbdoilfo.com/ buy cbd oil thc oil best cbd oils cbd full spectrum

fertuyeda on

http://homeeyeclinic.co.uk/buy-indocin-sr-without-prescriptions-canada
http://www.rmcferretti.it/buy-cheap-prilosec-generic-available-in-united-states
http://phuwidlak.pl/buy-flibanserin-cost-at-costco
http://haly-sklady.cz/how-to-buy-latanoprost-australia-buy-online
http://heirhunters-association.co.uk/cheapest-buy-tranexamic-acid-generic-is-it-legal
http://geomat.com.pl/get-dexone-canada-cost
http://dartcm.de/cheap-zebeta-for-sale-with-no-perscription-required
http://www.eis-pieschel.de/comprar-tibolone-en-chile
http://tricube.cz/ordering-prilosec-uk-cheap-purchase-buy
http://www.centrumwapro.pl/cheap-sildalis-cost-new-zealand
http://www.autoskolanerovsky.cz/cheapest-buy-parafon-generic-parafons
http://www.cheopspersoneelsdiensten.nl/discount-doxycycline-cheap-australia
http://www.art-food-sittard.nl/order-desvenlafaxine-generic-pharmacy-canada

http://buelling-immobilien.de/get-silicone-online-no-rx
http://roosters.de/online-order-etoposide-generic-online-uk
http://theodriessen.nl/cheapest-buy-polyethylene-glycol-generic-online-mastercard
http://marcovanwijk.nl/cheap-mesalamine-uk-delivery
http://aacweb.it/buying-zithromax-buy-dallas
http://ryszardpiasek.pl/buy-cheap-latanoprost-purchase-australia
http://www.peepshow-italia.it/buy-clomiphene-generic-uk-buy
http://www.myenergystore.it/cheap-cartia-xt-us-pharmacies
http://biohof-waldegg.ch/buy-pregabalin-canada-drugs
http://cityinfo.pl/purchase-entocort-ec-buy-dallas
http://ralfschwabe.de/cheap-synalar-generic-name
http://pr86poznan.pl/purchase-cyclosporine-generic-overnight-delivery
http://www.saechsischeschweiz-ferien.de/buy-cheap-furadantin-canada-how-to-buy
http://sud-dev.fr/online-order-drospirenone-ethinyl-estradiol-cost-without-insurance
http://www.reiterhof-schrecker.de/how-to-order-methocarbamol-canada-internet
http://www.pozarniauta.cz/purchase-chloroquine-phosphate-price-australia
http://fermag.com.pl/buying-pentasa-cheap-from-canada

http://www.fasady-omitky.cz/order-celol-buy-uk-no-prescription
https://www.traczyk.pl/discount-brand-farxiga-generic-efficacy
http://geo-term.pl/ordering-renagel-uk-in-store
http://www.chronowatches.nl/online-order-metoprolol-toronto-canada
http://theodriessen.nl/order-ventolin-singapore-where-to-buy
http://www.gpklasa.pl/get-butylscopolamine-price-netherlands
http://geomat.pl/order-vaniqa-without-prescription-from-us-pharmacy
http://www.sghangenham.de/buy-flomax-generic-flomax
http://bournemouthfalcons.co.uk/low-price-tamiflu
http://www.adaptermonlogement.fr/order-meclizine-generic-sale
http://melgo.pl/buying-clarinex-generic-from-india
http://www.kovojarosek.cz/over-the-counter-sales-of-sildenafil-tadalafil-in-ireland
http://medmat.co.uk/purchase-asacol-price-from-cvs
http://www.skolkahaj.cz/buy-cyclobenzaprine-hcl-buy-mastercard

http://advokati-mediatori-praha.cz/get-saxagliptin-generic-vs-brand-name
http://medizin-fashion.de/how-to-order-gemfibrozil-cost-without-insurance
http://tomorrowslearning.co.uk/ordering-mefenamic-acid-canada-internet
http://www.autoskola-serhak.cz/buy-cheap-furacin-online-no-rx
http://www.metapoint.be/purchase-artane-uk-suppliers
http://elektrobiologie-radiaesthesie.de/betagan-quick-delivery
http://www.conscius.nl/buy-filitra-generic-pharmacy-online
http://www.pozarniauta.cz/purchase-a-ret-to-canada
http://veesaldoonline.nl/cheapest-buy-prochlorperazine-lowest-cost-pharmacy
http://www.joseandiaz.com/online-order-piracetam-us-prices
http://www.neu-mond.at/buy-cheap-ibuprofen-canada-internet
http://melgo.pl/buy-neggram-no-script

http://gerardmulder.nl/buy-timolol-generic-pharmacy-in-canada
http://www.eis-pieschel.de/cheapest-no-prescription-needed-celol-cialis
http://pasmex.com.pl/buy-chloromycetin-and-pay-by-cod
http://buelling-immobilien.de/diovan-hct-on-line-no-prescription
http://www.dasgrondwerken.nl/buy-erythromycin-buy-for-cheap
http://www.moto85.com/brand-kombiglyze-xr-without-prescription-mexico
http://hhs-hutzfeld.de/ordering-griseofulvin-australia-buy-online
http://vagabondcosmetictoiletbags.co.uk/how-to-order-loperamide-generic-canada-no-prescription
https://www.textilservice-keller.de/buy-sinequan-purchase-prescription
http://expertsport.pl/discount-synalar-no-perscription
http://as-ton.pl/how-to-buy-melatonin-uk-buy-over-counter
http://www.mohlucin.cz/buy-simvastatin-ezetimibe-canada-price
http://www.tela.com.pl/discount-tadalista-professional-generic-canada
http://graphicssystemsgermany.de/diprolene-next-day-cod-fedex

Sheereesmecy on

https://buycbdoilfo.com/ cbd oil for sale near me [url=https://buycbdoilfo.com/ ]cannabinoids [/url] cbd lotion

pioleheld on

cbd oil for anxiety [url=https://cbdoilhh.com/ ]what is cbd oil [/url] cbd for pain cbd distillery

affiplokfounk on

cbd hemp oil https://bestcbdoiltws.com/ hemp cbd full spectrum cbd best cbd products

pioleheld on

generic cialis online [url=https://cialbuyonlinewmw.com/ ]pharmacy cialis generic online [/url] tadalafil cialis tadalafil 5mg https://cialbuyonlinewmw.com/

InisreltPlutsit on

https://cbdoilhh.com/ where to buy cbd oil [url=https://cbdoilhh.com/ ]hemp oil [/url] cbd

Leave a comment