Trip East - Carlsbad Caverns - Day 2

I called the Park number shortly after 8 am and got a live person.  Was told that one elevator was up and running so we quickly headed out.

The elevator ride takes only one minute at a speed of nine miles per hour. The depth of the elevator shaft is 1.5 times the height of the Washington Monument.

The person who said we had pretty much seen all we would in the Cavern was wrong.  Before getting acclimated to the lighting when you looked down on the path, there was water spots that looked like gaping holes in the path and were quite unsettling.

Did not want to use flash so pics are not as good as they could have been

Like walking through a strange fairyland.  The rock formations from a distance looked like Christmas trees.

The Giant Dome and Twin Domes

The Rock of Ages

Fairyland

Hall of Giants

Caveman Junction

One of the ladders used to explore the Caverns

Mirror Lake

Bottomless Pit

The Bell

Temple of the Sun

Lions Tail

Crystal Spring Dome

Chandelier and column

Chinese Theater

What a great self guided tour!  

We make it back to the Park to hook up and go 5 minutes before check out time!  

Next Stop an Army Corp of Engineer Park at Benbrook Lake outside Fort Worth, TX

 

Trip East - Carlsbad Caverns National Park Day 1

We have a 10:30 timed entry into the Caverns so we head up

 the 7 mile winding road after breakfast

We get inside and I go to check in and find out the elevators are down.  The only way in is through the Natural Entrance which is a 1.25 mile train following the traditional explorer's route. 

We walk down the path to the  Bat flight Ampitheater.  Unfortunately, they are still working their way here from Mexico.

 It descends over 750 feet down and then after to 1.25 miles the trail around the big room is another 1.25 miles.  I tell Gary we should just wait and see if the Elevators will be running tomorrow, he insists "he's fine".

  Even the Park Ranger who is preparing our group to descend says if you are not in good physical shape you should not attempt this hike several times after seeing Gary's cane.

You can see the Natural Entrance from here

If the walk doesn't kill us . . . 

Again I say we shouldn't do this but Gary goes full steam ahead.

A look back to the opening

Opening to the Bat Cave

The Devil's Spring

Shortly after this we run into some people coming back up.  I ask the young fit guy who was breathing heavily how far we have come.  He says probably 1/4 to 1/3.  He looked as his watch and said his heart rate was 180.  I turned to Gary and put my foot down that we were turning around.  The hike back up was going to be difficult and we hadn't brought any water. I looked down and saw several switchbacks still to go further down.  Someone else said we had seen 

most of what we would see in the Cave at this point.

Back to the entrance

Checked my fitbit when we got out and we had gone .5 of the 1.25 before turning around. 

Before leaving, I ask the Ranger at the information desk about the elevators.  He gave me a direct line phone number to call to check if they are running tomorrow morning.

 

Trip East - Lake Havasu to Carlsbad Caverns National Park

We leave Lake Havasu and start making our way to Carlsbad Caverns

We pass by the Colorado River near Parker Dam

We were going to stop in Gila Bend for the night but the campground was less than desirable.  We also had to unhook the car to get back out.  We decided to head into town for lunch at the Space Age Restaurant

Continuing on to Casa Grande the wildflowers have really come out along the highway

We lay over at the Escapee Park

Could watch these birds all day

After meeting with friends we head on down the road, past Picacho Peak.  So glad we got to hike up this twice.  Maybe some day a third shot?

We arrive at the Texas Canyon rest area and take a quick break.

Make it to New Mexico

Another layover at an Escapee Park in Deming, NM

Like this Road Runner, we[ve got to keep going!

Goodbye New Mexico

Hello Texas!

A roadside stop for lunch

The Guadelupe Mountains come into view

We arrive at White's City in Carlsbad, NM.  Basically a parking lot but it is at the end of the 7 mile road to the Caverns, the next closest RV Park is 20 minutes away.

The gift shop is interesting

and good Photo Ops for Tucson with the Aliens

and the Grizzly

 The next morning we head across the street to the Cafe in the Hotel

Mine was good, Gary's was disappointing.  They need to update their online menu.  Thought breakfast would be $7-10 each but cost us $34 for breakfast and I only got 1 slice of toast!

Next stop the Caverns!  We have entry reservations for 10:30