Around 4am this morning, a pack of animals came close to my tent. Then about 30 minutes later, came back again. I was on the road side of a barbed wire fence, so that possibly kept them from coming closer. Based on the "yelping" sounds, I assumed it was coyote......both young and older ones. I'm not sure what they would have done if the fence wasn't there, but glad I had stayed on my side of the barbed wire. For the entire trip I have not been concerned about my food and animals because there just haven't been any around. Maybe I'll start thinking more about that.
I wasn't sure how far I am from Alamogordo, but assumed I couldn't get there today. Just put in a good day's walk, and get there tomorrow. Again, the weather is nice, and the road is flat and wide open. Along the way I spotted a single coyote near the road, and the biggest rabbit with the biggest ears you have seen. Both nice sightings. I wondered why this area is called White Sands, because I haven't seen any white sand after a day or so of walking.
After a while of walking I came on another Border Patrol checkpoint. The guys there talked to me a few minutes and sent me on the way. I asked one of them how far to Alamogordo, and he said, "just over there, maybe 10 miles or so." This started me thinking maybe I could get there today. Around 1, I reached the White Sands National Monument. Now I could see why the name White Sands......sand dunes every where. There's a nice visitor center, as well as the monument, and a driving route through the dunes. I stopped for something to eat and look around the gift shop. Oh, I did buy something.......a large bag of beef jerky, brown sugar flavored. It's produced by the Cow Creek band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians in Oregon. The best I've eaten so far, but very expensive.
When I returned outside, there was a bag on the cart with water and a snack, and a note, "water for your trip" written on the bag. Never did find out who left it, but people seem to do stuff like this. Also, there were about 30-40 Cushman motor scooters of all sizes and shapes out front. These were once very popular, and there is a Cushman club in New Mexico that was hosting a ride. Very interesting to see all the different models.
I left the visitor's and noticed a sign that Alamogordo was 13 miles. It was only about 230, so I figured I could do that. I could see the town in the distance, and it was mostly downhill. So I set out with that as the goal. Walked a while and rested. While resting, 2 F16 fighter planes took off from the Holliman Air Force Base, and flew right over me......that was exciting. Then I walked some more, and some more, and so on. It was right in front of me, why can't I get there? Finally, around 8pm (and after dark) I reached the Alamogordo Hampton Inn after maybe 28-30 miles of walking. Just a total miscalculation on my part, but it looked so close.
They had a room, and soon I had a bath and walked next door to Chili's for food. Came back, ate in the room, and watched a little TV. A very long day, but I'm here and can rest tomorrow. We learn from these things.
I wasn't sure how far I am from Alamogordo, but assumed I couldn't get there today. Just put in a good day's walk, and get there tomorrow. Again, the weather is nice, and the road is flat and wide open. Along the way I spotted a single coyote near the road, and the biggest rabbit with the biggest ears you have seen. Both nice sightings. I wondered why this area is called White Sands, because I haven't seen any white sand after a day or so of walking.
After a while of walking I came on another Border Patrol checkpoint. The guys there talked to me a few minutes and sent me on the way. I asked one of them how far to Alamogordo, and he said, "just over there, maybe 10 miles or so." This started me thinking maybe I could get there today. Around 1, I reached the White Sands National Monument. Now I could see why the name White Sands......sand dunes every where. There's a nice visitor center, as well as the monument, and a driving route through the dunes. I stopped for something to eat and look around the gift shop. Oh, I did buy something.......a large bag of beef jerky, brown sugar flavored. It's produced by the Cow Creek band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians in Oregon. The best I've eaten so far, but very expensive.
When I returned outside, there was a bag on the cart with water and a snack, and a note, "water for your trip" written on the bag. Never did find out who left it, but people seem to do stuff like this. Also, there were about 30-40 Cushman motor scooters of all sizes and shapes out front. These were once very popular, and there is a Cushman club in New Mexico that was hosting a ride. Very interesting to see all the different models.
I left the visitor's and noticed a sign that Alamogordo was 13 miles. It was only about 230, so I figured I could do that. I could see the town in the distance, and it was mostly downhill. So I set out with that as the goal. Walked a while and rested. While resting, 2 F16 fighter planes took off from the Holliman Air Force Base, and flew right over me......that was exciting. Then I walked some more, and some more, and so on. It was right in front of me, why can't I get there? Finally, around 8pm (and after dark) I reached the Alamogordo Hampton Inn after maybe 28-30 miles of walking. Just a total miscalculation on my part, but it looked so close.
They had a room, and soon I had a bath and walked next door to Chili's for food. Came back, ate in the room, and watched a little TV. A very long day, but I'm here and can rest tomorrow. We learn from these things.
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