After spending the night on the Walmart parking lot, it was only fitting that we visit the store for breakfast at the McDonald’s inside.
Our packed day started with a 2-3 hour visit of the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History where we learned all about the Manhattan Project (first nuclear bomb) and nuclear materials in warfare, medicine and power generation.
Next was a visit to an older section of Albuquerque where we saw the KiMo Theatre, built circa 1927 in the Pueblo Deco style which reflects the cultural influences of Indian, Hispanic and Anglo of the area.
Also in the area is the Hotel Andaluz, a former Hilton property from 1939 where Conrad Hilton married Zsa Zsa Gabor in 1942.
We decided to do an excursion to White Sands National Monument in the south. On the way we passed the White Sands Missile Range where we found a plaque near the Trinity Site where the first atomic bomb was tested. The actual site can be visited only twice a year.
Next came the Valley of Fires National Recreation Area which had nothing to do with the atomic bomb, but is an area of lava flow about 5000 years old. Many plants and animals live in this area now and a short interpretive trail helps visitors identify them.
Among the animals listed were lizards and Martin was complaining he didn’t see any of them. Evidently the lizards heard this and shortly thereafter two appeared.
Another thunderstorm loomed as we arrived at the White Sands National Monument where we arrived shortly before sunset. We only had 30 minutes or so before the sky turned completely back and the lightning flashes were close.
The weather report called for a severe thunderstorm with hail up to 1 inch. Not wanting to risk damaging the van, we decided to head back towards Albuquerque, about 4 hours away. Along the way were were stopped by the Border Control folks searching for illegal immigrants. They didn’t have any problems with Canadian tourists.
About 240 km from Albuquerque we stopped at the Cedar Cove RV & Mobile Home Park in Elephant Butte. What a fabulous place. The showers are huge, wheelchair accessible and absolutely spotless.