April 2015
The Trinity Site is only open to the public 1 or 2 days each year. We happened to be around on such a day so we couldn't pass up the rare chance to visit the historic (and somber) place where the atomic age was born. For those who aren't familiar, Trinity is the site where the very first atomic bomb was detonated almost exactly 70 years ago. The site is now part of the Army's White Sands Missile Range. In the afternoon, we travelled to White Sands National Monument. It's an amazing place. Miles and miles of fine white gypsum sand make you feel like you're out in the snow. The kids sledding down the massive white dunes add to the illusion. Of course, you eventually realize they're all in shorts and t-shirts with no snow boots or mittens in sight. We climbed some of the dunes and took in the sights.
The M on the mountain represents the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socooro is a small yet interesting city
The M on the mountain represents the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
I’m not used to being able to see a road go on for so many miles
You never know when you might see a cow along the road
Jumbo was built to contain the bomb in case of a failed explosion, but was never used
Jumbo was built to contain the bomb in case of a failed explosion, but was never used
Pointing out all of the important spots at the Trinity Site
The view from ground zero at the Trinity Site
Just a (possibly radioactive) cactus
Trinitite was formed when the sand at the Trinity Site melted in the heat of the nuclear explosion
This obelisk marks the center of ground zero of the Trinity Site nuclear explosion
The remains of a footing from the 100 foot tower that held the bomb
This obelisk marks the center of ground zero of the Trinity Site nuclear explosion
Crowds gather at the Trinity Site
Crowds gather at the Trinity Site
This bomb casing is the same type used for the Fat Man bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan
This bomb casing is the same type used for the Fat Man bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan
This 300 car caravan travelled from Alamagordo to the Trinity Site
The nuclear device tested at the Trinity Site was assembled in the McDonald Ranch House
The remains of the McDonald Ranch House’s barn
The remains of the McDonald Ranch House’s barn
The remains of the McDonald Ranch House’s barn
This tower once held the windmill at the McDonald Ranch House
The nuclear device tested at the Trinity Site was assembled in the McDonald Ranch House
Not exactly the secure gate you might expect at the site of the assembly of the world’s first nuclear bomb
Not exactly the secure gate you might expect at the site of the assembly of the world’s first nuclear bomb
The nuclear device tested at the Trinity Site was assembled in the McDonald Ranch House
The men working on the Trinity Site device used this as a swimming pool. There were probbaly fewer cacti in it then.
The view from The McDonald Ranch House
The radiation remaining at the Trinity Site is minimal
We did not get to see an Oryx roaming White Sands Missile Range but we watched for them
The Owl Bar and Cafe in San Antonio is known for its green chile cheeseburger
The Owl Bar and Cafe in San Antonio is known for its green chile cheeseburger
The green chile cheeseburger that put the Owl Bar and Cafe on the map. It was delicious!
The black on the ground is a 5000 year old lava field
The black on the ground up ahead is a 5000 year old lava field
Driving through a 5000 year old lava field
The black on the ground is a 5000 year old lava field
Roadside America at its best… a giant pistachio at McGinn's Pistachio Ranch
We brought home pistachios from McGinn's Pistachio Ranch
Entering White Sands National Monument
Suddenly the sand changes from brown to white as you enter White Sands National Monument
Driving through White Sands National Monument
Driving through White Sands National Monument
The boardwalk at White Sands National Monument
Clearly plenty of animals scurry up and down the dunes
It’s amazing to see so much white sand in the middle of the desert
Dune grass
Interesting plant life on the dunes
The wind leaves brilliant patterns on the dunes
This view makes you feel like you’re at the beach, even though the closest ocean is hundreds of miles away
Driving through White Sands National Monument
People sledding on the dunes only adds to the impression that you’re surrounded by snow
People sledding on the dunes only adds to the impression that you’re surrounded by snow
My mother high atop a sand dune
My mother high atop a sand dune
This area of the dunes is packed solid enough to ride horses on it
I’m on a dune!
Climbing the dunes was fun and good exercise!
Way up on top of a high dune!
The rental car saw a lot of diverse locatons on this trip
It’s cool how they have to plow the roads as if they were snow covered
Headed through the desert along the perimeter of White Sands Missile Range
Alamogordo, New Mexico
Headed through the desert along the perimeter of White Sands Missile Range
The desert sun
Trains crisscross the desert
A spectacular New Mexican desert sunset
This lava rock is part of a 5000 year old lava field
This lava rock is part of a 5000 year old lava field
El Camino Family Restaurant in Socorro is a diner that serves delicious New Mexican cuisine