Carlsbad Caverns

As most of you know, Randy is very unassuming and easy going, so much so that he doesn't often express a desire to do anything specific. But, one of the things he really wanted to do on this trip was to visit Carlsbad Caverns. And today was the day we did that.

Unfortunately, I couldn't take pictures once we were underground because of the lighting, or lack thereof. For me, these caverns weren't much different from others we've visited, but Randy really enjoyed himself - and that's all that matters.

Great view

We elected not to take any of the guided tours, but did the two self-guided ones. The first being just entering the caverns, the Natural Entrance. The pamphlet warns visitors that walking into the caverns versus taking the elevator down is physically demanding. I figured they exaggerated the warnings as often happens, but no, they didn't. It was, at times, very VERY steep walking. You also walk along deep crevices which, if you have vertigo or get disoriented easily, can creep you out. In the last couple of years, I have found that I fall into that last category. Heights never used to be a problem for me, but now . . . ugh! So, we walked very slowly down into the caverns. it's about a mile and a half and took the hour and a half the literature promised it would. I was very glad when we were at the bottom.

Looking down

Looking up

It's funny at the bottom of the caverns there are bathrooms and a snack bar! Not what you expect to find 754 feet below the earth! But, I was grateful for both. :)

After getting some water for me and coffee for Randy, we set out for our second tour of the Big Room. This is the largest room in the Caverns, taking an hour to walk the 1.2 miles around it. One of the exhibits is the "Bottomless Pit" which is actually 140 feet deep. You'd think it was bottomless, however, 'cause you sure can't see the bottom. Of course there were the many stalagtites, stalagmites and columns in their various forms. Randy noted how amazing it is that water and minerals can become such formations.

Another good day; seeing some of the gorgeousness of our country, great weather (80s!), and being together. Doesn't get much better than this!

America the Beautiful

Until the next time . . .