Trinity Site, New Mexico  (Infrared)

As I stood on a rise and gazed down the valley, it was hard to believe that a mushroom cloud signifying mass destruction once rose near where the mountain on the left descends to the valley. The Trinity atomic test on July 16, 1945 is arguably the most significant event in New Mexico history. It precipitated the end of World War II just three weeks later, spawned the birth of several national laboratories, and created thousands of jobs all over New Mexico in the years following. Once thriving ranch land, Trinity Site is now part of White Sands Missile Range and restricted for most all non-defense activity. But its stark beauty and tranquility may be overshadowed by the remembrance of what occurred here 74+ years ago!