Desert shares its atomic secrets

From El Paso, drive 90 miles to Alamogordo, where the Alamogordo Chamber of Commerce organizes a 170-mile round-trip car caravan to the site. (505) 437-6120 or www.alamogordo.com/activites/trinity.html.

WHERE TO STAY:

Socorro has several local motels of varying caliber, and the hotel chains have minimal amenities. Alamogordo has a similar lineup but is more expensive.

Holiday Inn Express, 1100 California St., Socorro; (505) 838-0556 (877) 477-4674, hiexpress.com. Doubles from $77.

Econo Lodge, 713 California St., Socorro; (505) 835-1500, (877) 424-6423, econolodge.com. Doubles from $55.

WHERE TO EAT:

Frank & Lupe's El Sombrero Cafe, 210 Mesquite NE (east of I-25 at the northern edge of town), Socorro; (505) 835-3945. The food is mostly Tex-Mex, plentiful and good. The verde sauce was particularly tasty. Entrees $6.25-$12.95.

TO LEARN MORE:

Trinity Site will be open to the public 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 16 for a 60th-anniversary commemoration. It is regularly open the same hours on the first Saturdays of April and October. No reservations are needed. The White Sands Missile Range can be reached at (505) 678-1134. More information is available at www.wsmr.army.mil/pao/TrinitySite/trinst.htm.

July temperatures routinely edge up to 100 degrees, so bring water, hats and sunscreen. You can carry in a picnic lunch too.

-- Scott Martelle