Open twice per year - check…read morehttps://home.army.mil/wsmr/contact/public-affairs-office/trinity-site-open-house - this is one of those things that Americans should experience along with Times Square, Hollywood Boulevard, the Sixth Floor Book Depository, the National Mall and the Arizona Memorial. This is the site where the first nuclear weapon was developed and tested, literally the first Ground Zero that ushered in the Atomic Age. We arrived at the Stallion Gate at 7:15, forming part of a queue that was already about two miles long. The gate opened at 8:00 and we cleared at 9:15 after showing ID and answering that we had no alcohol, drugs or weapons in the vehicle. Fifteen miles later (this place is MASSIVE!) we arrived at the parking lot. Port-a-potties, a dude selling barbecue and someone selling tshirts. We walked in the sun the quarter mile to the obelisk. Yes, this is the exact spot where "The Gadget" was detonated. If you've seen the Oppenheimer movie, it's well-detailed there. Radiation is elevated but still safe for a brief visit - there are signs showing it in comparison to an X-ray or a plane flight. After that, a bus ride to the McDonald ranch house where the gadget was assembled. Very interesting modern history here and well worth the long journey. Note that you will need identification. I believe you must be a US citizen. And bring water/food as it's a long way from refreshments. [Review 20546 overall - round number 100 in New Mexico - 1527 of 2023.]

The world's first nuclear explosion occurred on July 16, 1945, on what was then called the White…read moreSands Proving Ground, a base established for a specific use by the Army following the attacks on Pearl Harbor, when a plutonium implosion device was tested at a site located 210 miles south of Los Alamos, New Mexico, on the plains of the Alamogordo Bombing Range, known then as the Jornada del Muerto. The code name for the test was "Trinity." Hoisted atop a 100-foot tower, a plutonium device, called "Gadget," detonated at precisely 5:30 am over the New Mexico desert, releasing 18.6 kilotons of power, instantly vaporizing the tower and turning the surrounding asphalt and sand into a green glass, called "trinitite." Seconds after the explosion, an enormous blast wave sent searing heat across the desert, knocking observers to the ground. Reports from witnesses came from as far as 200 miles away. A forest ranger 150 miles west of the blast said he saw a flash of fire, an explosion and black smoke. An individual 150 miles north said the explosion "lighted up the sky like the sun." A U.S. Navy pilot flying at 10,000 feet near Albuquerque, New Mexico, said it lit up the cockpit of his plane and was like the sun rising in the south. When he radioed Albuquerque Air Traffic Control for an explanation, he was simply told, "Don't fly south." After the test, the Alamogordo Air Base issued a press release that stated simply, "A remotely located ammunition magazine containing a considerable amount of high explosives and pyrotechnics exploded, but there was no loss of life or limb to anyone." The actual cause of the blast was not disclosed until after the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6. The success of the Trinity test meant an atomic bomb could be used by the U.S. military and it marked the start of the Atomic Age. The Trinity Site is now part of the White Sands Missile Range and is owned by the Department of Defense. Ground zero is marked by an obelisk made of black lava rock, with an attached commemorative sign. A slightly depressed area several hundred yards across surrounds the monument, indicating where the blast scoured the ground. Most of the northern Tularosa Basin is still used for missile research. WSMR is home to the DoD's largest, fully-instrumented, open air range, missile defense system, which provides America's Armed Forces, allies, partners, and defense technology innovators with the world's premiere research, development, test, evaluation (RDT&E), experimentation, and training facilities to ensure our nation's defense readiness. But inside this basin are also enclosed numerous areas that are not military land (like the NPS's White Sands National Park which I could not fit in. Unlike a typical desert that is composed of quartz, the White Sands area here is named...well...for its white, which is made of gypsum and calcium sulfate. This allows the desert sand to look like snow and feel cold to touch, and is protected by the state of New Mexico as a National Monument! Everyone should experience these hollowed grounds that changed history.

This is a small airport that is looking to expand in the future for commercial flights. For now,…read moresmall planes and helicopters are the tenants.

This is the best FBO I have ever been to! The staff was exceptional, very helpful and made us feel…read moreso welcome. For an untowered airfield, its always a little stressful coming in, however tons of air activity and every one let us land no problem. The FBO heard us coming and met us out on the pad. They took care of everything so all we had to do was grab our bags and enjoy our time in cruces. If your flying privately, HIGHLY recommend stopping here for your aviation needs.

At 5' tall, for the first time since i began driving about 45 years ago, i feel comfortable behind…read morethe wheel. The pedal extenders allow me to have the seat in the 'normal' position without being on top of the steering wheel. Installation was easy and the owner of the company was extremely helpful, thorough and accurate evaluating the correct size for me. He was also accommodating with any potential exchanges or returns. i would more than highly recommend this device to anyone who has to pull the seat up close to the steering wheel in order to reach the pedals. It's extremely dangerous to be that close to the airbag. In the event that it deploys, it can cause serious injury and/or death to someone who is sitting that close to the steering wheel where the airbag is housed.

Great rest area/information center. This place has clean bathrooms, a sitting area with a water…read morefountain and private small brick sitting areas that are covered and are wonderful if you are traveling in the summer and need some shade to cool off. Theres various drinking water fountains through out the sitting areas as well as trash cans. It's well lit at night and there's usually plenty of travelers parked throughout trying to get some rest or taking pictures. There's also plenty of gas stations and restaurants less than 5 miles away.

A clean facility and great security that works in it. There is a small path to walk and a lot of…read morepicnic tables. Definitely a nice spot to pull over and sleep. Place looks like an old Mexican restaurant design. The only thing that's closed in this area is the welcome center. It's been taken over by state.

Beep beep. RoadRUNNER Transit is the public bus system for Las Cruces. It is a relatively modest…read moreoperation as there are only 8 routes. All but one of the routes leave out of the bus hub at Mesilla Valley Intermodal Transit Terminal. This is also where the transit office is located and where regional buses arrive in Las Cruces. The buses are very clean and orderly. Took a day trip to Mesilla and the buses were on time. Like other smaller bus systems, the bus does not operate on Sundays and on major holidays. However, the city changed to a zero-fare format a few years ago, which is great for city residents with limited transportation options for getting around and deserves an extra star.

Too many bus stops without seating for disabled persons and injured persons, most persons who have…read moreor are trying to be paperless, do noe run around with booklets, so proper times for all bus routes should be updated frequently, being most persons have their phones or devices of some sort with not necessarily your booklets readily available.

A godsend!! A few hours before I had to leave for El Paso airport, my car's tires blew out. Did I…read moremention it was in the middle of Labor Day weekend? There were three of us, with significant luggage. L&M to the rescue! I couldn't believe how quickly they were able to help us. The owners are wonderful and the prices are reasonable.

My husband had a medical appointment in Tucson and we made a reservation through Expedia to this…read moreLodge. It was close to the hospital and a wonderful look. 72 hours prior to our reservation I was diagnosed with COVID and put on medication. We called both Expedia and the hotel to cancel - we were told there was no cancellation option and would be charged the full amount. I explained I had COVID and a doctor's letter and medication proof. Both blamed the other and neither would listen to us. I offered that we would still be going to Tucson for a rescheduled appointment with the surgeons if we could have a credit or discount. Both were denied - and both blamed the other. We were also told by both that I would be called back after explaining my situation. Neither called back!!! No one cared that I was sick with COVID and had proof - nor that we were going - and would go back again and again for my disabled veteran husband's medical care. NO ONE WITH EITHER GROUP CARES! they both stated they received their payment - and that was the end. I will not be using Expedia or A Lodge on the Desert ever - unwilling to use businesses that are so crass and uncaring - not alone going beyond the usual limits where cancellations are usually allowed within that length of time!!! so so so disappointed. NO STARS FOR EITHER- if only zero stars were an option!!!

If you like a quirky facility and large, aggressive German shepherds, this is definitely the place…read morefor you. Seriously, this lodge, located several miles west of Las Cruces, is the creation of a very creative woman who has obviously added and added to whatever was the original building. If it was located in some parts of Europe it would probably be dubbed a "folly," as it is very hard to figure out the rhyme or reason for some of the add ons. There are several guest rooms, all reasonably priced, and all with equipped kitchens. Each room and the common areas are stuffed with "stuff" - from where I sit on my bed I see two antique oil lamps, many baskets, several carvings of swordfish (?), a native basket and some pottery, several prints of western art, a TV fastened to the wall and sticking into the area you walk past to get to the kitchen two desks, a large dresser, a basket of dusty artificial flowers, a table and two chairs, a creaky ceiling fan, a couple of table lamps, a large sofa bed, and some other stuff. None of it is coordinated or matches. Once you get used to it, it's kind of messy/comfortable. The bed is very reactive - if one person sneezes, the other bounces off the mattress. (As a previous reviewer mentioned, the owner had forgotten we were coming but fortunately our room was not locked so we made ourselves at home.) There are lots of patios, covered and uncovered, all with well aged tables and chairs. On the outdoor patio nearest our room is an old wooden cabinet stocked with dust encrusted wine glasses, reminding one of Miss Haversham's abode. There is a huge library of the owner's books ranging from fiction to serious chemistry texts. Beside the house is a large event patio, with a kitchen, a faded shuffleboard court, what looks like it might be a dance floor, and several tables sitting around the edges looking lonesome. Which is probably why the sign at the door says"lodging and parties." Really, it has to be experienced to be believed. One couple we met comes here every spring from Michigan and stays for a month - and when you sit out on the deck at night watching the lights come on in the city, or in the morning watching the sun shine on the Organ Mountains, you can actually understand. Accommodation is very inexpensive for the area. And, to be fair, the German Shepherds are loud and aggressive but always located behind fences or doors. It's just that the notes from the owner warning you that they will bite are more than a little disconcerting. PS no credit cards, but personal checks are accepted with no questions or ID required.

Appreciate the hard work good work Adrian and John excellent job all the way around good…read moreinstallation good job you guys thank you

So i went to get a laptop, at first I called to check if it was in stock. They said yes, when i got…read morethere they told me that they didn't have it. Then suddenly they did, to make the story short I was fine and happy I got the laptop(used). When I got home and tried to use the laptop it was locked. I called and told them and they said to unlock it myself. So in my head I'm thinking I'm paying $800 and they want me to do something like if I stole it. I had to go back and even do I was there for 3 hours in my last visit, to return it they were really rude and fighting with each other. They thought i didn't speak Spanish and they where talking about me which made me more mad. Overall this location does not have good customer service. They think they have the power since all of us with bad credit don't have no where to go, but that does mot allow anyone to treat people like trash. Overall don't waste you time there go to conns they are friendlier in my experience.