Soft purple hues melding sky and sand in late blue hour. White sands National Park — **Angelic Twilight**

In this magical hour, time seems to pause. The vastness of the landscape is both humbling and uplifting, reminding us of nature’s grandeur and the beauty of solitude. Just before the first stars twinkle into existence, the world around fades into a peaceful hush, and the tranquil beauty of angelic twilight offers a moment of serenity that lingers long after the sun has slipped away.

Our Quick Marfa Adventure

We started our week of adventure driving over 400 miles to Marfa, in West Texas, where we enjoyed a lovely dinner and cocktails at the St. George Hotel. After that long day of driving, we opted for a low-key evening and settled in for the night. Rising early the next morning, we set out to catch the sunrise at the Prada Marfa roadside oddity and indulge in a bit of “window shopping” before continuing our journey to Carlsbad Caverns. The vibrant colors of the sunrise painted the sky as we explored this unique art installation, a perfect start to a day filled with more adventures in the stunning landscapes of the American west. Each step in Marfa felt like a delightful embrace of art, culture, and nature, setting the tone for the exploration that awaited us.

Exploring the Faces of Carlsbad Caverns

This trip marked my fourth visit to the stunning Carlsbad Caverns while it was Terre's first time there. We took the elevator down to the Big Room, where we embarked on an incredible one-mile-plus hike. The sheer beauty of the fascinating rock formations took our breath away. The play of light and shadow on the stalactites and stalagmites created a magical atmosphere that made it impossible not to marvel at nature's artistry.

We had a blast making faces out of the various formations, snapping pictures and sharing laughs along the way. Every corner we turned revealed another stunning sight, from the towering stone columns to the delicate drapery of cave formations. Each moment was a new adventure, and we soaked in every single second of it.

In my prior visits I was delighted to learn that I could take my tripod into the caverns, which I did to help with the low light situation. This time, however, I noticed a new sign in the visitor center saying tripods and monopods aren’t allowed. When I quizzed the ranger about the new rule he said that someone with a tripod broke one of the features in the caverns, so new rules were quickly adopted. Wasn’t me… honest!

That afternoon, after emerging from the caverns, we checked into a new RV resort in Carlsbad, which turned out to be one of the cleanest and friendliest places we’d ever stayed. Those sparkling bathrooms and showers were a real treat after a day of exploring. It’s the little things that can make a trip even more enjoyable, and we were grateful for the comfort and cleanliness that the resort provided. As we settled in for the evening, we agreed that we would definitely return if we found ourselves in the area again. Carlsbad Caverns has a way of capturing your heart.

A Scenic Journey to White Sands

The next morning, we made the short drive over to Alamogordo, New Mexico, where we were excited to meet up with a group of photographers for a week of shooting at White Sands National Park. Taking a road I had never traveled before, we went through Cloudcroft up in the mountains, making a quick stop at an old, decommissioned train trestle for a photo op. The trestle, with its weathered wood, offered a captivating contrast against the backdrop of pine trees and White Sands NP in the distance.

As I framed the shot, I couldn't help but appreciate the tranquility of the scene. The soft rustle of the pine needles and the whisper of the wind made it feel like time stood still. This moment reflected not just the beauty around us, but the journey we were embarking on with fellow photographers, eager to capture the stunning landscapes that awaited us. Driving onward, our excitement built with every twist and turn of the mountain road descending into Alamagordo.

Old wooden railroad trestle at Cloudcroft, New Mexico with White Sands in the distance.

A Touch of Luxury and some Pistachios in Alamogordo

Instead of staying in our van like we had the previous two nights, we had reservations to enjoy the comfort of a brand-new Hilton hotel for the remainder of the trip. This has been my best experience in Alamogordo yet! The hotel felt like a little slice of luxury after our days on the road. We discovered a charming restaurant nearby, D H Lescombes Winery & Bistro, where we were well hosted and served. It was so good, we ate there twice. Pro tip; for Friday nights, you must make reservations 24 hours in advance.

One morning I decided not to shoot with the group because we had some errands to do and we picked up some delicious pistachios for snacking and gifting. Alamogordo is ground zero for pistachios, which is Terre’s favorite nut. Overall, we had a carefree, joyful time, soaking in the beauty around us.

Ungodly Early Mornings at White Sands

As for the photography side of things, our mornings were early and energized. Waking up at 3:30 AM to meet the group by 4:30 AM became our routine. We brewed our coffee in the room and set off to White Sands, where the park ranger greeted us and opened the gate at 5 AM. Pre-arranging our access allowed us to hike to a stunning spot just in time for sunrise—something that always excited me, as the park typically opens only after sunrise. With the special permit in hand, we finally got to capture the breathtaking scenes as the black sky lightened, creating soft pinkish atmosphere, complementing the dunes perfectly.

We finished our morning shoots about 8:30 AM each morning in time to get back to the hotel for breakfast. In the afternoon, we would leave the hotel around 2:15 PM to get to White Sands and hike out to our sunset/blue hour spot.

Captivating Moments at Sunset

The afternoon sunset shoots were the highlight for me. One day, we were captivated by the rare sight of a sun dog, a phenomenon that painted the sky with a dazzling halo. On another occasion, we witnessed the most exquisite colorful sunset I’ve ever seen at White Sands. Just when we feared that the heavy cloud cover would kill any chance of a colorful sunset, the sun dipped below the horizon and found a miraculous opening through the clouds, resulting in a stunning 360° sunset, enveloping us in vibrant hues.

On the final night shoot, there were no clouds at all, allowing the light to transform into a soft, angelic glow. The experience was nothing short of magical, and it was incredible to soak it all in. This may be my favorite photograph from the trip.

The soft enveloping angelic light on our final twilight shoot

Saturday Morning Reflections at White Sands

Saturday morning marked our last shoot of the trip. We wrapped up a bit early so we could enjoy breakfast before embarking on our 10-hour drive back to Austin. Each moment we spent at White Sands was filled with wonder, capturing the breathtaking landscapes that the American West has to offer. The ethereal beauty of the white dunes, the dancing light, and the vast open sky offered an endless canvas for my camera.

As I wandered through the rippling sands, I felt a renewed sense of inspiration. Every angle revealed something new—the way the sun sculpted shadows, the way the colors shifted with the sun's ascent. It was a privilege to immerse myself in such an otherworldly environment, allowing me to not just take photos but to truly experience the landscape.

This trip didn’t just yield images but rekindled my love for landscape photography. Each click of the shutter was a moment paused in time, each captured scene a testament to the raw beauty of nature. I left White Sands with not just new photographs but a deeper appreciation for the stunning vistas that define the American West.

As we finally set off on our long journey home, the memories of this trip filled my heart with gratitude. I look forward to revisiting these enchanting landscapes, both in person and through the lens, time and time again.

Epic White Sands Road Trip