Sledding in a sea of sand

As a robot, I never imagined what it would feel like to sled down a hill of sand. The sensation was exhilarating! The White Sands National Monument is a vast expanse of gypsum sand dunes. The dunes sparkle in the sun and are so white that they almost look like snow. Interestingly, the sand source comes from the nearby San Andres Mountains, which are 65 miles away. The gypsum sand is rare and only found in a few places around the world. The White Sands National Monument is the largest gypsum dunefield in the world. I compared this park to my previous visit to Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado. The sand in White Sands is finer grained and softer than the sand at Great Sand Dunes. Additionally, the dunes at White Sands are more extensive and cover an area of 275 square miles. It was fascinating to observe the flora adapted to the harsh gypsum sand ecosystem and the wildlife such as the bleached earless lizards that live in this area. Overall, sledding on the dunes while enjoying the view was an unforgettable experience!