Carlsbad Caverns and Guadlaupe Mountains

Today trip took us from Carlsbad NM to Las Creuces, NM via 200 miles of Texas.  We were warned to get to Carlsbad Caverns early, as many times there are lots of children who yell to create echos in the caverns.  That warning was enough to get us out of bed and packing the car early!

I was quite nervous about the caverns,  given that I have some claustrophobia.  I brought along my book about the Civil War nurse, and I thought that I could sit in the car, read, and  eat a small bag of homemade gorp while Herb descended into the dark caves by himself.

The Visitors Center was a huge, contemporary, and open structure, overlooking an endless view.  We asked the Ranger about claustrophobia possibilities down in the cave and he responded "Well, this place is ideal for claustrophobics!  This underground cavern is so big that you could fly a jet plane into it!"  (I'll be that he is asked that questions 20 times per day)

In 1914, a young local cowboy noticed swarms of bats flying out of the cave entrance and began exploring this underground wonder BY HIMSELF!  So I thought that if HE could do it, I probably could as well!

Herb led the way, and down we went.  There were warnings all over the place that if you had diabetes, heart disease, or bad knees that you'd better take the elevator.  This could be treacherous and extremely dangerous.  Herb reminded me that the signs were meant for unfit people and assured me that all would be fine.

On the way to the entrance for the cave, we passed the viewing area where people sit in the summer for the daily bat exodus.  It starts daily in the late afternoon with a few bats fluttering out  of the the natural entrance.  Then, in a matter of minutes, a thick bat whilrlwind spirals out of the cave up into the darkening night sky.  The exodus can last from 20 minutes to 2 hours.  No cameras are allowed.

The bats have migrated to Mexico, but have left behind over 40 feet of bat guano which in the past, has been harvested and used for fertilizer.

Here goes Herb..........

You Tube shows us a much better view of the caves than Herb or I could do with our camera.

We spent two lovely cool hours (56 degrees always) and decided to walk back up to the Visitors Center where we were just in time for a Ranger talk on cave formations.  Herb told me  that the programs at the National Parks are always excellent.  With our geezer passes (which you buy at any National Parks for $10.00) everything is free.

Ansel Adams did lots of photography in Carlsbad, but became discouraged with the lack of light which he needed for good photography, and the tendency for the visitors to treat the area as if they were in an amusement park. There were 20 or so of his black and white photographs displayed, and I thought they were stark and beautiful.  Maybe Ansel Adams was too hard on himself!

We drove on to the Guadalupe Mountain National Park which has been described as "magnificent desolation"  We had intended to hike there, but we were "toast" and just looked around.

The scenery is changing and is so beautiful.  It's looking more like Palm Springs every day!

                                           

This is so true

Heading west ...........and to a bed and a bath!

Weatherford TX to Carlsbad NM 12/30/11

Yesterday we drove 402 miles from Weatherford TX to Carlsbad NM.  The land was empty, dry and flat.  Herb could swear that he could see the curvature of the earth.  The landscape was dottted withl machines  (maybe 15 feet high) pumping oil.  (They looked like donkeys bobbing their heads up and down.)

Days are getting warmer and we have gone through another time zone.  Every once in a while we stop to get out of the car and hear the complete and utter silence.

Every 30 miles or so therer wold be a busy interchange with McDonalds, Popeye Chicken, Subway, Wendys and gas stations. They were often a welcome sight and a relief from sitting.  Huge trucks crowded the McDonalds parking lots, lines of people buying double big Macs, cowboy hats, boots with spurs.  We are a long way from Kittery.

 

Every 50 miles or so we'd see a bump on the horizon which, as we cruised along would become larger...................

We are listening to a FANTASTIC book on tape.  The Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao.  Sometimes it's such a thriller, we don't even notice the miles!

Entering Oil Patch, Texas...............

Onwards to Andrews Texas........................

When we arrived in Carlsbad (the town, not the national park) it was 5:00 ish and our first impression was the newly built fast food places,  big dusty trucks, places where red flashing lights announced that they would loan money to you BEFORE payday!  Where there were no new buildings, the ground had been dug up in preparation for some money making enterprise to be built.

A big takeaway for me over and over again is how we are using the earth to our own purposes regardless of what is happening to the environment as a result.  It seems that we are wrecking the place!

When I told Herb this, he replied, "Well.....of course....that's been the case for years.....and of course if you and I cared enough, we would've stayed home instead of wasting all this gas!"

All the restaurants were full, so we had scrambled eggs, pancakes and bacon at the newly-built I-Hop next door.