Yesterday we arrived in Alamogordo, located in Tularosa Basin. The basin had been inhabited for an estimated 11,000 years by native Americans before the first worlders arrived. In 1534 the Spanish did arrive, but it took until 1860 for Spanish settlers to arrive. Prior to the settlers arriving, the valley around the white desert sands were rich with green fields of grass. The settlers felt the location was perfect for raising cattle and began to dig huge irrigation ditches to water thousands of cattle. In doing this, it dropped the water table in the valley, and the rich grass lands dried up.
In 1942, the US Air Force established the Holloman Air Base, originally established to train British pilots during WWII. over the years the base became a primary training ground for the US Air Force. Along with the airforce the area became the ground for the Trinity test, commonly known as the Manhattan Project. Today you can take tours to visit ground zero of the explosion, but Lori took a hard pass on that.
After the conclusion of WWII, the test site became the WSMR rocket testing grounds. In 1945 when Germany was defeated, the US captured 100 long-range V-2 rockets and transported them to this New Mexico valley. Here, 67 of the rockets were test-fired between 1946 and 1951. During the 1950s-60s the valley was also known as the unofficial centre for the research on pilot safety, and development of the US space program.
Surprisingly, we discovered there was lots to see here, making our decision to get away from the oil stench in Carlsbad a positive one. We just need to deal with flying rockets, sonic booms and radiation now!😂
We are not far from where the first atomic bomb was detonated.
The desert sand largely made of silica, melted during the explosion and became mildly radioactive light green glass. The place is pretty safe, but it’s not recommended to pick up the green glass.
Ground zero of the Trinity test.
This sign is posted at the edge of town. On a average it closes two times a week.
Photo of a V-2 rocket being tested.
On our second night, we heard two huge booms and the entire Rv shook after each one. Curious to know what they were, Lori inquired at the campground office the next morning. It was explained that they were sonic booms from military aircraft as they fly over the town.