Mike and I were talking today and decided that if we could only go back to one place we've been on all our travels we'd go to White Sands National Park. Today we had the opportunity to do just that.
It is a great place for our entire family. The park is over 235 square miles so there is a lot of space. The weather today was really nice - it was in the low 60's but felt much warmer with the sun reflecting off the pure white sand.
We've been here many times but never has there been so many people. Turns out it is Spring Break for many schools in this area. Fortunately, the large majority of the people just stay near the road and slide down the dunes on disks. Not very many people go into the backcountry. So of course, that's where we go.
The scenery here always amazes me.
The one very cool thing about the backcountry trail is that it is always different every time we come. So you essentially go on the same hike - but it is always different since strong winds change the dunes almost daily.
Like this cool dune formation...we've never seen it before even though we've been on this trail numerous times.
The weather forecast said it was going to be cloudy today so we thought it would be a great day for taking some good photos. But the only clouds we saw were way off in the distance.
Not only do Mike and I like it here, the dogs love it here as well. One of the reasons we enjoy it so much is that it is a very safe place for the dogs to be off leash. Once you get into the back country there are no roads, no critters, or other dangers. For our dogs - who don't run way off - it is a very safe place.
Before I get started let me show you a picture of Boogie of when we very first arrived. It's the only time he was clean the entire trip.
A favorite activity for all is running up and down the dunes. Personally, I wasn't in the climbing up (I tried to go around when at all possible) but I loved going down. It is so easy - and totally fun!
Poor little Slugger. His big body had a lot of momentum going down but his poor legs couldn't keep up.
The farther down the hill he got the more trouble he had.
Unfortunately I wasn't prepared so I didn't get a picture but just as he got to the bottom (where the ground is hard) he did a face plant followed by two summersaults. I felt so sorry for him. He was a little stunned when he got up but after a couple minutes of slow walking he was ready to go again. Even though he had a couple tough falls he was just so happy to be off leash. While the other dogs get to be off leash fairly often, Slugger is seldom off leash - so this was really special for him.
Boogie too enjoyed this special time off leash as can be evidenced by the big smile on his face.
While Slugger powered his way up the dunes with those huge muscles...
...Boogie had to work really hard - and he gave it his all. In fact, most times Boogie would stop half way up to lie down and rest before continuing up.
But he did continue up using every bit of strength that he had to pull himself up that last little bit.
He was a very happy, but tuckered, puppy when he eventually did reach the top.
Another favorite activity is the family game of chase. It is so much more fun when there is unlimited space! Look at them go.
They all chase after Slugger. And poor guy, once they catch him, they all gang up on him. Good thing he is tough.
He managed to escape them on the hill, but once they got to the bottom - he was toast.
But he takes it all in stride. Once he's up he takes off again and the chase is on one more time.
After half an hour of this the dogs were getting pretty hot and tired.
So we had to stop for a water break - as you can see that idea was a big hit!
Every time we would take a rest break, Boogie would run into the shade of either Mike or me. Then he'd dig down deep to where the sand was a bit cooler. The problem was he'd throw sand all over the other dogs as he was digging.
Take a look at poor Sparkie.
But Boogie didn't pick on just Sparkie. This time Boogie is standing in my shade digging. If you can see through the massive amounts of flying sand you might notice Slugger trying to rest.
When the sand stopped flying there was Slugger - way too tuckered to move even during Boogie's sand storm!
After a bit of a rest they were all ready to go again. Running up the dunes (my sweet Wazzu is no puppy anymore and she was having trouble keeping up but she sure was trying her best)...
... then it was back down the dunes.
When they got back up top again, Slugger made a great move and faked them out so they had to put on the brakes and turn hard.
Then while the big dogs were nose wrestling, Boogie was trying to stay in Wazzu's shade...
Of course you have to make time for a little terrier play - which usually involves showing all your teeth and moving your head back and forth but making no contact! I guess you have to be a terrier to understand!
My goal while all the dogs were having fun was to get some good pictures of Boogie. He was quite the character today so I had many opportunities for some good shots.
Here it looks like he stuck his head in the sand. That's exactly what he had just done! Although who knows why.
He ran up a lot of dunes so I had many opportunities to capture his climbing style. Sometimes he looked like he was working so hard.
Look how wide he made his little paws to try and help himself make it up in this very soft sand.
I'm pretty biased but I think he is just incredibly cute!
Look how much sand he has to push through to get up these steep dunes. That is hard work!
But going down is another matter. That's just plain fun.
What good form!
Is this the face of a puppy that's having a fun time?
How could he get so much sand on his nose?
Does he ever stop?
This is the border terrier version of Rudolph I guess.
And this is the border terrier version of Santa Claus.
So you don't think climbing these steep dunes is hard work? Look how deep Slugger sinks into the sand as he's trying to climb up.
After making it up, he ran about 20 yards...
...before he literally collapsed on a small but steep decline. He was totally worn out. I had to wait about 10 minutes before I could convince him to get up.
Just after I got him up and moving and we got everyone on leash, we came across some very nice folks. They were having a family reunion and this is one of the activities they really enjoy every year. The grandpa was from Las Cruces, his daughter and granddaughter live in Victoria, B.C., and his two sons are from Iowa City, Iowa. They were the nicest group of folks you would ever want to meet. They all love dogs - in fact one of the sons works at the Humane Society. So we let the dogs all off leash again as we visited. We must have talked with them for a good half an hour. They each took turns petting the dogs and talking to them. Slugger especially liked them as they let him kiss them!
Near the end of the hike, my two kids were so cute playing with each other. I'm really glad that Boogie loves Wazzu so much as she really is a very good role model.
Wazzu's trying so hard just to get up the hill but she has to try and avoid the big mighty terrier jaws!
After their big play time, it's time for the two best friends to take a rest.
Finally, our time at White Sands was over as my two sweet pups go skipping away.
It will be a long time before we will have the chance to return. But the above picture will bring smiles to my memory for a long time to come.
Debbie
3/17/08
PS I am going to be entereing some photos to be considered for a Border Terrier calendar. If you have a favorite or two from the above pictures, please email me so I can choose some to send in. If you don't think any are good enough, then you don't need to try to choose. Please be honest. Thanks!
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