We left Tucson, AZ, the day after Easter Sunday, pushing further east towards our ultimate destination in Nappanee, IN.
Today’s drive took us through, Tombstone, AZ, White Sands, NM, and the “world’s largest pistachio” just outside of Alamogordo, NM.
Places mentioned in this video:
Tombstone, AZ: Not many towns better exemplify the spirit of the old west than Tombstone, AZ. Of course these days, Tombstone is no longer the lawless town it once was, but it manages to hold on to its history better than most old west tourist traps.
There are guided tours explaining where the famous “Gunfight at the OK Corral” took place, where people like Wyatt Earp and Doc Holiday hung out. But if you’re more like us, and just want to be on your own, the town is well set up for solo exploration.
Tip: The best place for food in Tombstone is Puny John’s BBQ. They cook from scratch, and welcome pets.
Link: http://cityoftombstone.com/
White Sands National Monument: It’s just a surreal place to visit. I’m sure you could imagine a place where everything is covered in snow, but imagine if the snow was white sand.
The drive into the dunes runs along black asphalt that eventually turns into a white hard packed road. There are hiking trails that take you across the dunes along a wooden boardwalk, and then there’s back country hiking where you’re in a 360 degree whitewash. Picnic grounds with sun shields offer shaded respite for lunch.
The sand itself is a lot different than typical beach sand. This stuff is more fine. You’re not allowed to scoop up sand to take home because the park’s visitor center wants to sell it to you instead.
Link: https://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm
McGinn’s PistachioLand: If you’re visiting White Sands National Monument, you may as well go a little further to check out the “world’s largest pistachio” at McGinn’s PistachioLand. You’ll find dozens of pistachio varieties from basic salted, to “bacon and ranch”, “habanero limon”, and “garlic”, just to name a few. Get pistachio trail mix, pistachio ice cream, and pistachio brittle too.
McGinn’s also runs its own winery and hosts a wine tasting room.
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