Crosses two off the bucket list

[cornerofmadness]

I made it to Carlsbad Caverns. Did you know if you're handicapped they'll give you a FREE lifelong pass to all national parks? I did not but I do now. Woo hoo, I am golden (and two people can come with me. Not sure why. Okay one might be my caretaker, not sure about the third but I'm not arguing).

It had two amazing giftshops that I knew would be my doom. And did I get there just as it opened? Maybe? Whatever I was grateful because I walked in with one person in front of me. 10 minutes later the line was out the door.

The King's Palace tour is locked at 24 (just like my labs) to keep it manageable. We went down 750 feet to the entrance. (I did NOT walk down. Can't do that. Maybe if I hadn't been injured but then again maybe not. It's a 2 hour walk for most people).

I can not describe this place. That's saying something for someone who's side hustle is writing. The cavern is amazing. There are SO many monstrously large chambers, stuffed with formations, some flowstone, LOTS of helicites, straws, popcorn and stalactites and stalagmites. I've been in a lot of caves and I do mean a lot (I've been in caves in VA, PA, OH, AZ, WI, SD KY, Wales, more) and this has some of the most amazing formations.

It was once all self guided but people are jerks so the King's Palace was sealed off to guided tours only so they can be sure we're not breaking stuff off or writing on it etc. King's Palace is the prettiest part but the self guided chambers were damn spectacular too. All told I was down in the ground for 4 1/2 hours, walked about 3 miles and had the time of my life. I'd still be down there if they let me (hey there's a bathroom down there)

I was going to go to the living zoo but a) it was late and b) it was RAINING. I know just enough about desert hydrology not to mess around since I don't know the area. I'm back in Roswell and that is nice. Exercised in the pool and am looking forward to sleeping in a bit because all I'm doing tomorrow is a couple museums and christmas shopping in Roswell.

I'm also trying to figure out why suddenly everything is June 1st when it's technically the 31st... I posted something at what would have been 7 pm e.s.t and it posted as June....what... strange

I don't have any pics of me in the cave yet. They're on my phone if they came out. I'll have to send any good ones to social media and get them from there because Google Pics blows. I have so many pictures and my camera (not the phone one) did amazing with it. I am so happy.



























fairy forest



the silent bell


The Dolls' Theater


The Chinese Theater



waving me on to breakfast


A gift shop find (evil_little_dog knows why) that almost didn't happen. There were multiples when I went down. When I came up, only the bluejay was there. I found the cardinal in a heap elsewhere. Also they warble in the actual bird calls.

Comments

[spikedluv]

That is very neat about the free pass to national parks!

Gorgeous photos! We have a cavern near us, but it is not anything like that size.

That's weird about the date. My first thought was the time change, but it wouldn't be that big. (Once we went from EST to CT on a trip and were confused about the clocks in our hotel room being 'wrong', lol! We changed them to the 'correct' time, then had to change them back when we figured out what was going on. *g*)

[cornerofmadness]

I'm pleased about the pass

No and the ones on your end of the country were formed differently

Part of it is the fact I'm on Mountain time BUT that's just two hours so why in the world AO3 and DW were telling me it was the first at what would have been 9 pm est I have no idea.

[shanachie_quill]

Those pictuers are gorgeous and I'm sure don't do justice to actually being there.

Enjoy your shopping!

[cornerofmadness]

no they really don't do it justice

thanks. I shouldn't have been let out of the hotel

[shanachie_quill]

LOL I feel that on the don't let me out.

[cornerofmadness]

I need supervision

[shanachie_quill]

Same.

And probably online too.

[cornerofmadness]

I behave better online unless it's tea. Watch out if it's a tea shop

[shanachie_quill]

See I'm worse at online because I can shop whenever. In stores, I tend to go with lists and mostly skip to the list. Unless it's books... then all bets are off.

[cornerofmadness]

it helps that I hate to shop unless it's groceries and books

[shanachie_quill]

I do also like to shop for other people.

[cornerofmadness]

hahhaha yeah no, not here

[under_the_silk_tree]

That is so cool about the free pass.

I loved all the cave pictures. I am so glad you had such a good time! You made me more determined to get there someday.

Love the birds. And they make their correct bird calls? Fabulous

[cornerofmadness]

The pass surprised me

It's a great cavern. I'm so glad I got to see it

they do make their correct bird calls

[dhampyresa]

CAVE! CAVE!

Do I spy the Bigolas Dickolas birds?

[cornerofmadness]

Love me a cave.

OMG they ARE the Bigolas Dickolas but that's not what I had in mind (I haven't read that book yet) They're the magical companions to Hunter (the kid in my icon)

[cmk418]

I'm so glad you had a nice experience at Carlsbad. When I went, the elevator was out and I was only one of two in our party that decided to walk it. Saw a lot of cool things in the part of the cave where we went, but I didn't have the best shoes on (they weren't terrible, but they slid around a lot) and I was a little too overdressed which meant I had to cut it short after walking about 45 minutes to an hour.

If I go again, I'll have to make sure the elevator is working.

[cornerofmadness]

I can't even imagine the elevator being out (but it nearly went out because people refused to obey the limits on the elevator) yeah you need good traction shoes even on commercial trails