While visiting the White Sands National Monument to ask about the missile testing, we learned we could back country camp at White Sands.

Camping in the sand dunes overnight?  Sign us up!

We went first thing in the morning and had our pick from 10 different camp sites.  We picked Campsite #4, one of the outer campsites facing the sunset.

Since the campgrounds were only a little over a mile away, Nicholas promised I didn’t have to go into my backpack.  He said he’d carry me.

I didn’t realize this is what he meant.

I made sure to smack him some once I managed to detangle myself from the mesh.

We got to our site and set up tent at about 5:30pm in the afternoon, when it was still bright and pretty warm out.  Nicholas suggested maybe we keep the wind flap off so we can see the stars.

We went exploring.  White Sands!  This stuff is actually made of gypsum, which is water soluble but since it hardly ever rains here it’s not a big deal.

White Sands is the biggest of its kind in the world!  It goes on and on.

We scrambled to the top of one of the dunes to watch sunset.

Sunset’s not bad here.  Good front row seats.

Then the sun went down.  And it got cold.  Really cold.

We quickly put the outer tent layer on.  It was still cold.  We got close to freezing temperatures and we tried to sleep on top of whatever we could to escape the cold of the ground.  Luckily I’m small so I just made my bed on top of Nicholas’ backpack.  Pokin and Nicholas had to freeze.

At least the night sky was cool.  Pokin got to see it as she went running around outside to warm up so she could sleep.

Well after what felt like a long night because everyone kept waking up from the cold, it finally got lighter.  Pokin’s crazy.  She got up for sunrise.  Nicholas and I wisely stayed inside.  And we took her sleeping bag.

We finally ventured out only when it was completely light.

My what difference the sun makes.

This I can handle.

Time to pack up.  Next stop!