America's Best Idea

White Sands National Park

Spring break arrived, and when my colleagues asked about my travel plans, I mentioned I was going to New Mexico. Their response was? 'Flying into Cancun?' I chuckled, clarifying that I meant New Mexico, not the country south of the border. 'What's in New Mexico?' they questioned. I countered, 'What's not in New Mexico? There's so much to explore in the Land of Enchantment.'

Our adventure kicked off with a flight into Albuquerque, where I discovered the Standard Diner, a must-visit from Guy Fieri's 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.' I savored every bite of the bacon-wrapped meatloaf with bourbon-infused butter—delicious!

We then traveled to Gallup and checked into the Historic El Rancho hotel, a place that famous movie stars loved staying in when they were filming around there. Our room, named after Spencer Tracy, who was a renowned actor from classic Hollywood movies, had this incredible old Wild West vibe and style that made it feel like we were stepping back in time.

Driving to Four Corners was peaceful, which was a welcome change from the usual hustle. I enjoyed the quiet and listening to my favorite tunes while cruising. When we finally reached the spot where Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah meet, there wasn't much to see along the way, but standing in four places at once for a photo was definitely a unique and neat experience!

Santa Fe awaited, and my foodie heart was thrilled. Casa Chimayo served up delightful blue corn enchiladas, while Santa Fe Bites won me over with their green chili cheeseburger. And the Frito Pie at the Five & Dime General Store—corn chips loaded with chili, cheese, and onions—was an unexpected delight.

Then came Alamogordo, our gateway to White Sands National Park. Checking into our hotel, I inquired about dune sledding and was surprised with a complimentary plastic disc. The kindness of the person at the desk made our stay even more special.

As we neared White Sands National Park, the surroundings transformed dramatically. The landscape transitioned into a vast expanse of white sand. Stepping out of the car, the soft and cool sensation underfoot was like walking on a fluffy carpet. Witnessing the world's largest gypsum dune field was beyond belief. Picture this: endless stretches of stunning white sand, yet there's no ocean in sight. No crashing waves or that familiar salty sea scent—none of the typical beach vibes. Yet, strangely, those elements didn't seem necessary in this extraordinary place. It's unique in its own right, exuding a special allure that's hard to define.

Driving along the 8-mile road through the park was an adventure. Finding the perfect spot to pull off and try dune sledding added an extra thrill. Attempting to sled down the sand was a comical challenge at first. The sand didn't make it easy, but eventually, we mastered it. Watching my mom glide down those huge sand hills was an absolute blast—it felt like playing in a massive sandbox for adults!

Taking breaks from sledding, we sat back, taking in the vastness and tranquility of the place. It was a serene moment to appreciate the sheer magnificence of nature. Being amidst such beauty truly made me value the splendor of New Mexico.

While taking in this scenery, I had an idea to stage a picture. I gave my mom my phone giving her specific instructions on where to stand and sit for the perfect shot. I planned to throw sand up in the air to create this awesome wave-like effect. So, there we were, all set, and my mom executed her part flawlessly. But right after the triumphant shot, a gust of wind swept the sand right back—bam! It caught her square in the face! It was an unexpected twist to our picture-perfect moment, leaving us in fits of laughter and ensuring a memory we'd never forget.

After leaving the park, we stumbled upon the world's largest pistachio. I have this quirky tradition of never considering a trip complete without seeing a world's largest roadside attraction. The sheer size of it was amusing and impressive.