Carlsbad Caverns

 Carlsbad Caverns National Park is in South East New Mexico up in the desert hills.  You drive up a winding road through sage brush and cacti in a landscape that says nothing about caves.  The main cave that visitors see is only one of several caves in the area.  One immense cave was only discovered in the 1980s and is still being explored by the professionals and not yet open to the public.  The most known cave has the visitor center on top, and then you take an elevator 750 feet underground.  Mike and I were worried about  claustrophobia, but the cave is so immense that we did not feel closed in at all, though by the time we got up, Mike was ready to see the sky!  I usually try to walk at least two miles a day and this day I accomplished that completely underground. 

Most caves are formed by air bubbles trapped in rock formations.  Not so for Carlsbad caverns.  These were formed by water underground with a high acid content.  Then, once the caves were formed, thousands of years of drips have formed many of the "decorations" in the caves.

Landscape approaching the cave entrance.

Inside caverns.

This is hanging down from the ceiling.

This column is about 15 feet tall.

This hole goes to a lower chamber that was explored in the 1920s.  Those explorers left behind this ladder.

All of the pools we saw had incredibly clear water.

I think that these are aliens standing by a pool.

Everyone would stop and snicker at this formation.  I wonder why!

These stalactites are about 8 feet long.  I think they look like Rapunzel's hair.

Monster teeth.

Walrus?

The view from the parking lot looking towards Texas.

I am enchanted by the cactus blossoms.  I think if we could stay a month longer, we would see lots of blossoms. 

If you ever get a chance to see these caves, don't pass it up.  They are amazing.  I am reading a book by Nevada Barr named Blind Decent.  Ms. Barr is a former National Park Ranger and writes mysteries that take place in national parks.  This one takes place in a cave in the Carlsbad National Park.  After being in the cave, it is fascinating to read about the challenges of exploring a new cave and read her descriptions of the cave formations.  She has many books.  If you are going to a National Park, look for one of her books dealing with that park.  I guarantee it will be a fun read!