Day 28 of Mentor on Road, USA

“By the study of different religions we find that in essence they are one.”

- Swami Vivekananda

Till now upto El Paso Mentor on Road, USA has completed 3472 miles out of 9602 miles / 5587 kilometres out of 15400 kilometres.

Since Day 28 of Mentor on Road, USA was a Sunday and there were no meetings lined up ahead, we decided to take a day off and headed towards White Sands Mountain in New Mexico. We enjoyed the beautiful sunset and fun-filled activities offered there.

White Sands is a census-designated place (CDP) in Doña Ana County, New Mexico, United States. It consists of the main residential area on the White Sands Missile Range. 

The desert is located in the Tularosa Basin of New Mexico. Its white sands are not composed of quartz, like most desert sands, but of gypsum and calcium sulphate. Unlike other desert sands, it is cool to touch, due to the high rate of evaporation of surface moisture and the fact that the sands reflect, rather than absorb, the sun's rays. At 1185 meters above sea level, there are approximately 442 square kilometres of dune fields which are known to be the world's largest surface deposit of gypsum.

Gypsum is one of the most common mineral compounds found on Earth but is rarely seen on the surface, as it dissolves easily in water. The origin of this desert dates back to around 100 million years ago, during which time it was covered by a shallow sea. As its waters gradually receded, saltwater lakes were left behind, which eventually evaporated in the sun. In addition to the salt, gypsum was also laid down in thick deposits on the old seabed.

                                       

Anticipating an eventful day tomorrow.

Jai Ho! (Let victory be yours)