The White Sands National Monument is a U.S. National Monument located about 25 km (16 mi) southwest of Alamogordo in western Otero County and northeastern Doña Ana County in the state of New Mexico, at an elevation of 4235 feet (1291 m). The area is in the mountain-ringed Tularosa Basin and comprises the southern part of a 710-km2 (275-mi2) field of white sand dunes composed of gypsum crystals. It is the largest gypsum dune field in the world.--Wikipedia.

Rising in a seemingly endless procession from an ancient lake bed in the Tularosa Basin of southern New Mexico, the stark gypsum dunes of White Sands National Monument grow, crest, and slump, driven by the wind. The sands form an ecological island where desert plants and animals have adapted to a bright and shifting world. This stunning book describes the area's natural and human history, including the detonation of the first atomic bomb at the nearby Trinity site. Photos by Michael Collier, plus rare historical images.

Sparked by the opportunity to explore his personal passions, David Kroese turns away from a rewarding yet languishing career and begins the adventure of a lifetime. What happens next evolves into a tour of all four hundred-plus units in America's National Park System -- a perfect way to celebrate the 2016 National Park Service centennial. The Centennial: A Journey Through America's National Park System details David's compelling centennial explorations to 387 parks in 360 days. The story continues through December 2017, when he becomes one of fewer than fifty people known to have visited all 417 national parks. His personal expedition is a poignant exploration into quintessential America as told through its historical and natural wonders. Delve into diverse locations from Hawaii to the Rockies, New England to the Caribbean, Charleston to the California desert, Alaska to American Samoa. Join David and experience the inherent marvels within America's unique landscape and fascinating history, revealed in engaging context, poetic descriptions, and heartfelt appreciation. The Centennial: A Journey Through America's National Park System is an odyssey of self discovery and fulfillment through the nation's soul.