The Monument is still closed. This is the 8^th day of closure due to a drone crash. Military are assessing the site, guarding the entrance gate and not letting anyone in, and we are trying to salve the wounds of angry visitors. Situation normal.

Some folks are understandingly upset over not being able to drive the dunes drive and see the white sand and the dune field. Unfortunately from the road and the visitor center, the dune field cannot be seen. All one sees is desert shrub and grass lands. There is one area south of WHSA where the dunes do come out to the highway, and DOT allows folks to stop there and collect some sand. Last Saturday people were caught hopping the fence and trying to make their way on foot to the crash site. (At least that’s the story we were told, and after our experiences with folks ignoring the closed signs during the government shutdown, there is some validity to the story.) Military clamped down on the breech quickly, and folks are no longer allowed to stop on the road and collect sand. It has been observed that local folks from the area are more upset by the closure than folks that have traveled literally around the world to see the white sands. We just smile, give out information, and wish everyone a nice day. After all, we’re professionals…

It has been hard to keep staff and volunteers busy this week. Actually there are too many volunteers for this time of the year anyway. But staff also cannot go into the monument and are confined to visitor center and administrative buildings. Close to the volunteer sites, there are three empty resident buildings built in the same style as the visitor center, adobe or faux-adobe pueblo style. The Monument leadership has been wanting to get these ready for residency for law enforcement personnel and researchers. Perfect job for a shut down. I have been helping paint (and all the prep work for painting) on two of the residencies. It’s a welcome change from being in the visitor center and tripping over each other because there are too many volunteers. I’m sure the painting project will continue next week if we are still closed.

 At least we still have nice views and pretty sunsets. Ironically, we have seen 3 of the nicest sunsets since arriving at WHSA. Sure would have been spectacular to be conducting the sunset stroll while we had sunsets like this. Next week if we are open, I get to do the stroll twice, and by the end of next week, sunset stroll start is set 15 minutes later to accommodate the longer days. Longer days are good. Although we had a mid-20’s for a low this week, it has primarily been high 20’s to 30 degrees for lows. Of course it has been in the 70’s some of the days last week and this weekend it is suppose to be significantly above average temps for highs. Works for me. Right now it is 81 in the sun and 72 in the shade. Why would anyone remain in Minnesota or Pennsylvania with conditions like these?