White Sands

March-April 2011

An epic cross-country trip that started in Pensacola, Florida and ended at the mild Orange County, California, we group of 3 flew out to Florida to help an old friend move back home. We drove for a week, racking miles upon miles, eating anything and everything like locusts. All these famous landmarks and cities have no power upon our group because "we're the [Four] Best Friends that anyone could have, we're the [Four] Best Friends that anyone could have" [/Zach Galifianakis]. All except one magical place... White Sands National Monument [Wiki Link].

More than halfway through our trip, we hit a snag, a [very stupid] first world problem if you will: how do we get our iPad playing Tron: Legacy to stand up while the vehicle was in motion. Dan suggested an unpopular solution that involved pillows and water bottles. Regrettably, we mocked him. His angelic voice fell silent, his carefree demeanor turned stoic. It was quiet the rest of the night. We missed dinner and went to sleep hungry after a 12 hour drive. The next morning with a hearty breakfast at [Thuy's favorite restaurant ever] Denny's, we were off again.

We took a detour and stopped at White Sands. The blinding sands lived up to its namesake. The sand was a fine powder; winds carving the rolling barren hills. Dan still mute from the previous night while he quietly squished his feet in the sands. Suddenly, like Aladdin unleashing Genie for the first time in the Cave of Mystery, Dan exploded with "I can't stay mad at you guys!"

What followed was bromance up the ying-yang. We wrestled, played in the sand, posed and took pictures to capture said bromance. The undeniable power of the outdoors churned Dan's hate into love. Like the sun rejuvenating Superman, White Sands cleansed Dan and lifted his sunken spirits. His love for the outdoors, hiking, and the sands on his toes overcame personal grudges. White Sands National Monument [New Mexico], yeah, it's magical .

Proof! [not pictured: unadulterated make-up bromance]