White Sands National Monument

White Sands National Monument in New Mexico is a very pretty place to explore.  The dunes are made up of gypsum which is unlike the normal silica sand we see on beaches.  Gypsum was left behind after an old lake dried up and it is replenished by wind blowing mountain deposits into the area whenever it rains.  One cool thing about this park is the “sand” is always cool to the touch and it moves in waves.  The blue and white contrast of the area makes for some great pictures.  Pick up a copy of the Dunes Drive map and make a couple of stops.  When I was there, I stopped by the Interdune Boardwalk trail, wandered around Roadrunner Picnic Area, and completed 1/3 of the Alkali Flat Trail.  You can also rent a sled at the visitor center to go dune-sledding.