White Sands Sunset

Golden Sunset, White Sands ©Lynne Buchanan

This evening I witnessed the most amazing sunset in White Sands.  It was the first time I have been to this National Park and I was immediately captivated.  I knew I was in trouble when I saw the dunes from the highway.  It was already 4:30 when I arrived, so I went to the visitor center straight away to get some information about the various areas of the park.  I mentioned something about photography and the ranger said that photographers were usually the people who got lost in the park.  She warned me that they kept looking ahead and never back and soon forgot where they came from.  I went out into the dunes and swore that wouldn't happen to me.  A couple walked out a little ways behind me and followed me for awhile.  I kept looking back to see where they were and where we came from.  then the sky turned all these colors and all bets were off.  The shape of the clouds, the light, specific yuccas kept calling me and I kept following, whispering how I couldn't believe what was happening.  I kept saying there must be a God, or some higher power to make something this spectacular.  I kept thanking the universe, and then it started to get dark and I had only a vague idea where I came from.  I got up on a dune and saw the mountains that were behind me when I started and began walking that way.  Fortunately, I came across a local couple with two dogs after awhile and they pointed me in the right direction.  I thanked them profusely and told them how embarrassed I would have been if I had gotten lost after such a warning.  I can't wait to go back tomorrow morning.  I am already promising myself to keep better track of my bearings, but sometimes it is difficult!