Chiuauan desert and Guadaloupe mountains.
Following a Gran Torino up the mountain.
Flowers and a bee in the desert.
Isaac - Junior Ranger Extraordinaire!
Entering the Visitor Center at Carlsbad Cavern NP.
Hopefully, Ken will add a photo page later. I did not take my iPad down into the cavern, he took our "big" camera to get photos. We hiked the Natural Entrance to descend 850 feet into the Earth to experience awe-inspiring sights. Then we took the elevator up and down and up again (we were having user error problems in the elevator!) to have some lunch. The Junior Ranger books sent us on a nature hike outdoors for 1 mile to identify desert plants - normally, a one mile walk is no big deal, but, the desert is brutal! We made it back to the visitor center without finding a single placard identifying the plants. A Ranger later explained that all the placards had been lost in a fire and handed me some papers to assist with plant identification, but we did not re-attempt the hike.
Carlsbad Cavern is a MUST see. As we walked through over two miles of massive domes, breathtaking stalactites and stalagmites, soda straws, and so much more. There are not enough words to describe the granduer of the largest known cave room (Big Room Tour) The vast expanse and diversity of formations of the cavern can only be understood by experience.
After earning another Junior Ranger badge, Aliza asked the Ranger how she could become a Park Ranger. To say that she was impressed by Carlsbad Cavern would be a tremendous understatement.
Our timing was good with regard to visiting Carlsbad Cavern NP as it will be mostly closed to the public tomorrow due to a Presidential visit to commemmorate the National Parks Centennial. Wednesday evening, one of the Rangers had advised us to see what we want to see on Thursday because Friday would be a challenge regarding visiting the Cavern.
We finished up around 4:30pm and headed back to Carlsbad RV park for the camper then began our journed north to Roswell.
The road to Roswell.
Regarding the SUV, it seems to be okay now, but we are going to have it checked out and an oil change (other fluids too?). My cousin, Tarah, was able to secure an early morning appointment for us at a shop in Albuquerque on Saturday - which was not easy as most shops are closed on Saturdays. Thank you so much, Tarah!
The UFO Museum in Roswell was closed when we arrived, Annie was disappointed about the museum as she really wanted to see it, but she is okay with Ken's plan to get to ABQ sooner rather than later. We couldn't find the Crash Landing Cafe, so we ended up at this little Mexican place (we love Mexican food!)
Tapestry on the wall in the resteraunt in Roswell - there was live music as well.
Went to Roswell, got the t-shirt, and bumper sticker.
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