Visit to White Sands Missile Range

Monday a.m.

We have been making tracks the last few days. Now in Wichita Falls, TX. We’re going to stay here for a couple of nights and hopefully the wind stops blowing before we take off again.
Thursday morning we got out early had breakfast at IHop and headed to the White Sands Missile Range Museum and Park. Had to drive through the jagged mountains – 7200 foot pass.

A beautiful view of the valley – looking out at the many many empty square miles of the missile range.

The Missile Range was established in 1945. It now occupies 3,200 square miles of what used to be a private ranch..

Entering the Range - No Photography allowed except in the Missile Park and museum
We had to park outside the gate and walk in to the Missile Park. I had read that you could drive in but guess things had changed since that was written. Luckily it wasn’t too far as we were still over 5000 feet in altitude and it was pretty warm out. Heard the gate guard telling a couple of people that they couldn’t take pictures of the gate – just of the sign next to it. [Just a thought but doesn’t Google Earth take pictures of it?]
Any way a shot of the missile park – Lots and lots of different kinds and sizes of missiles.

This was interesting to me – it is a Patriot Missile – had no idea they – the whole thing – was that big. These are the ones Israel uses to shoot down the Scuds. It is designed to defend against high performance targets.

Interesting graffiti on it

Another shot of some of the park

This big gun was originally installed on the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1945. Weighs over 73,000 lbs. In 1977 it was relocated to White Sands and was used for testing.

A Flying Saucer? Nope part of the Voyager Balloon System that was launched near Roswell, NM Hummm???? The information goes on to say “It is the only one in captivity.” Captivity? Weird.

This is a missile that was making groaning sounds – Did it want to go somewhere? Was it crying? Tried to get a video with sound but all I picked up was the wind noise.

After walking around checking everything out we went into the museum. If you ever get a chance it’s a very interesting place to visit.
One of the displays – a display of the old ranch house that was used as the assembly point for the Bomb. The house survived the blast with only broken windows.

It was pretty interesting. If you want to know more about it just Google  Trinity Site New Mexico.
More later after we go shopping.