Our morning program was a presentation and then a visit to see their 107 inch telescope, one of many that the facility has. Here is the telescope. The white "fabric" across the top is the cover that retracts to allow access to the stars.
And how large is it?
The Davis Mountain range was chosen for the observatory because of a couple of things - the land was a free gift from a local family and for the dark sky environment. Look at the landscape - nothing to light up the sky for miles and miles.
Between the morning program and our "Star watch party" at 7:30 we drove along the back roads. The cacti are beginning to bloom.
This blimp was pretty exciting. Turns out that this is a balloon surveillance system used by the US Border Patrol. These "Tethered Aerostat Radar Systems" are to monitor for low-flying aircraft or drones near the border.
Our night program started after dark and was outside in the cold night air. The presenter showed us the constellations and star clusters and such. About 6 telescopes were available for everyone to look through. It was fun but cold, even with our winter thermals and a blanket to sit on. No pictures, couldn't ruin the dark sky!
Next stop, El Paso. We found our campground and a grocery store. Smoke settled into what is apparently now HER seat.
Yesterday we started by exploring White Sands National Monument. The "sand" is actually gypsum, soft and white. When we first got into the park, the sand was mixed with some plant life. The plants are always trying to regain a hold at the edge of the sand dunes. The road at this point is still paved
After about 3 miles of this 8 mile road, the road is unpaved and the sand coats everything.
Luke the sand dune climber!
The sand is ever changing with the wind. The park uses a plow to keep roads open.
One of the posted regulations is "no alcohol allowed in the park between Feb 1 and June 1". We were a little confused by that time frame and asked --- spring break! With 4 collages in the area, spring break had gotten out of control. The ranger said that the alcohol regulation made a world of difference!
A few miles further at Alamogordo is the Space Museum. Luke really wanted to see it, so that was next. The museum emphasized the rocketry history of White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base. Here some of the examination and reverse engineering of the German V1 and V2 was done. It was pretty amazing that the German technology was the basis for all our rocketry and guidance systems through the Apollo program. I had no interest in wandering the 4 story museum so Luke took a couple of hours to explore and I sat in the car and knit. Happiness for both of us!
Today we drove the scenic road along the Franklin Mtns. This road overlooks the cities of El Paso (population 800,000) and Ciudad Juarez (population 2M). The cities border each other and between the two of them, they stretch far out into the desert and up the side of the mountain range.
Yes, The Wall runs between them. In the picture below you will see a road on each side of the picture. At this point, the Rio Grande appears to be split into 2 channels, one on each side of the wall. The river is dry because the water has been taken for irrigation. The center concrete "island" between the two channels holds the Wall that bends around from the left side. You may have to enlarge the picture to really see it. This was taken from a long distance, therefore the so-so quality and color.
Another picture of the wall shows it bending in a U-shape between the countries.
Hearing about the wall and actually seeing it are quite different and evoke a mixture of feelings.
We drove to the Franklin Mtn. State Park and enjoyed the beautiful mountain range.
Leaving the mountains, Luke noticed an ominous red light on the car's dash. So, we found an excellent dealership who agreed to check it out on the spot. This is never where you want to be on vacation, 1800 miles from home...
Unfortunately she needs a repair and they don't have one of the parts in stock. Fortunately, they can get one in time for a Monday repair and we can drive the car in the meantime. Unfortunately, it is not cheap. But she has been a good car and needed virtually no repairs since we bought her in 2012, so we feel somewhat better about it.
On a happier note, when we got back to the RV we discovered that the orchid has bloomed! One bloom out, 15 more to go! Good orchid!!
Tomorrow we plan to do a little more sight-seeing and then have dinner with a couple we met while we were in New Orleans. Sunday I am watching the Daytona 500!!! woot woot!! Monday is the big repair and then on Tuesday we go to Tuscon to spend a week visiting with sister-in-law Beth at the RV park where she spends the winter.
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