National Parks, NM

Yes, you're noticing a pattern. I resort to my National Park posts when life is obstinate, forgive me. I can't believe I only wrote two posts last month. Two! That's pathetic. I'm trying to make up for it like my sleep. And to continue the candid nature of this conversation I'm having with myself*, I'll tell you how I learned of White Sands National Monument. Umm... I was kind of obsessed with this song when I was fourteen. Oh yes, a lifelong Boyz II Men fan up in this joint.

You may be wondering, as I was, the difference between a National Monument and a National Park. National Parks are designated by Congress whereas National Monuments are declared by the President thanks to the Antiquities Act. This only means one thing, more beef on top of existing beef. Congress isn't happy about the President's sole powers, the President isn't happy about Congress trying to limit his/her (eventually??) powers, and in the end, the Supreme Court tries (ahem) to be the voice of reason, "The United States Supreme Court has repeatedly upheld presidential proclamations under the Antiquities Act, ruling each time that the Act gives the president nearly unfettered discretion as to the nature of the object to be protected and the size of the area reserved (source)."

Personally, I'm glad Hoover used his cajones because White Sands is surrounded by White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base. Else surely its fate would've been like that other patch of desert in New Mexico...

* Isn't that what writing is, essentially? One long ass conversation with yourself? I wonder if that's why all writers are a bit narcissistic. I think it is, and why I try to keep my bullshit in check. Obviously, I'm failing tonight. I think they gave me regular instead of decaf -- oy.**
** Thank you, Junot Diaz, for popularizing footnotes again.


Length of Stay

N/A

Docking Index

     

Five anchors, I have to find out if New Mexico's National Monuments and National Parks live up to their cool names (e.g. Carlsbad Caverns, Gila Cliff Dwellings, Capulin Volcano, Aztec Ruins etc.) And no, an image search on Google doesn't count. I learned my lesson after visiting the Grand Canyon.