Crosses two off the bucket list
May. 31st, 2023 09:10 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
cornerofmadnessI 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.
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.
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