Janet wondered what all that news she had heard a couple years ago was all about. The only wildfire she saw in the trees along the New Mexico mountain highway was the gold of the Aspen leaves. It was beautiful. "I don't know what that airman was talking about, New Mexico looks green to me."

    "That's because they've had alot of rain this year." Sam said from the driver's seat. "I hope it'll dry out enough for the detour we have planned." She smiled at the brunette who smiled back. Sam had been asked to speak at some seminar that was being held at Holloman AFB but she and Janet had decided it was a perfect opportunity.

    "What detour?" Cassie asked from the backseat, her customary headphones still in her ears.

    "You'll find out tomorrow." Janet said turning to look at her.

    "Fine." Cassie sighed. As they drove through Mayhill she piped up again, "Oh! Can we stop at that gas station? I want to get something to drink."

    Janet looked at Sam, "I could use something to eat myself." She could for go the healthier food she normally made her family eat. This was, after all, a semi-vacation.

    Getting out of the car, Janet felt Sam's hand slip into hers, "See what happens when they don't blare the music in their ears?" Sam said into her ear.

    "I'd rather not have to worry about her winding up wearing a hearing aid when she's older."

    "Well you know she won't. I saw her remember, old and wrinkled with no hearing aid in sight."

    "Assuming that technology hasn't advanced enough by then to fix whatever problem or make the things invisible, maybe she didn't have one because I wouldn't let her use that iPod until I made sure it wasn't too loud." Sam rolled her eyes. She wouldn’t even try. She knew she would never win an argument with Janet, not even if she had three days to prepare.

    Two sodas, one bottled water, and three sandwich packages later, they were back in the car again. Dry up it did and the day after they had checked into the hotel off a street called Panorama, Sam grabbed a specially packed bag and Janet loaded Cassie into the car again.

    "Isn't your class thing at that base?" asked Cassie. Sam answered and nodded. "Then, why did we completely pass the turn?" Sam told her to be patient. Cassie decided that she hated that word. Shortly after passing the base, Sam turned onto a road, paid the man at the booth, and drove into a new world, or, so Cassie thought. "It snowed?" She asked, confused.

    Janet answered. "Its sand. Well, a special kind of sand called gypsum. It's the largest gypsum deposit in the world. This place is called 'White Sands National Park'." They pulled up next to a picnic table near a large dune and piled out, the two women making sure their daughter was properly sunscreened as well as themselves. Once released from her parents' care, Cassie stared that the huge white dune in front of her.

    Sam nudged Cassie from behind, and then broke into a mischievous grin. "Race ya!" She took off running, Cassie right behind her. Cassie...had a blast. Between sliding down the dune on the sled Sam had made out of an old rolling pad, helping Sam bury Janet in the sand, building a castle and trying to dig a cave which ended in her almost being buried alive under a cave in. Sam and Janet, of course, were not amused when Cassie called for help, her chin barely poking out of the sand but once they had successfully excavated her, Sam started laughing. "You're supposed to dig a cave out, not dig a cave-in." Cassie cracked up. Janet Groaned. It had been the perfect opportunity for a perfect family vacation, even if Sam had to report for duty the next day.

    On the way back, Janet had asked Sam if she wouldn’t mind driving the extra miles through the mountains again. Looking up at the vibrant gold against the deep green of the, for once, thirst quenched pine trees, Janet couldn’t help but think, Next time we come through here, Cassie will be in school… “So, I have some leave coming up in a few months.” Janet said. “Do you think you could take some time off around then?”

    “I could look into it.” Sam smiled. “Detour?”

    Janet shook her head. “Wildfire.”