Spelunking We DID Go

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We left Lubbock on Saturday after a quick trip to the Lubbock Lake National Historic Landmark where we viewed an amazing archaeological site - the only one in North America that has a complete record of nearly 12,000 years of human history located in one place. Wow, those prehistoric armadillos were so big you could ride them!

Arriving in Carlsbad, NM, on Saturday afternoon, we went to bed early so we could awake at 7 am and make the trip to Carlsbad Caverns for a 9 am tour of the Left Hand Tunnel. What an experience! Our tour group included 8 individuals led by our Park Ranger "Anita". The tour was advertised as moderately strenuous- it was that- but at least no crawling on our bellies! We started with Anita giving us a firm talk about how to hold our candle powered lanterns and what to do ( walk slowly, lantern at your side) and what not to do ( DO NOT touch anything, have anything in our mouths-includng gum). We then ascended down 750 feet to begin our tour. A very different experience heading off into the darkness of the left hand cave with only lanterns to light our way. Anita talked about experiencing the caverns in a different way- much more mysterious and romantic by lantern light than by electric light. There were a few steep and slick spots ( we made it up and down Death Hill in one piece) and at one point we sat in a circle, blew out our candles and sat in the darkness for about five minutes. Absolutely pitch black and when Anita told us to be completely quiet for a few minutes, the silence was deafening. We would recommend the Left Hand Tunnel tour to anyone wanting a different experience at Carlsbad Caverns.

When the guided tour was completed, we explored the Big Room on our own. We walked about 1.5 miles viewing the huge rooms with it's incredible stalagmites, stalactites, columns, draperies and other formations. It was as breathtaking as we remembered it being as children.

After a great Mexican lunch at Lucy's in Carlsbad, we took a walk through the Living Desert Gardens & Zoo ( as if we hadn't walked enough). What a great local attraction with gorgeous desert plants and native animals such as Cougars and Bobcats. One of the Bobcats, sat right next to the fence by us, bathing herself like a house cat.

Today after a great breakfast in Artesia at The Chaos Restaurant, we made our way to the UFO Capital of the World- Roswell, NM. What a crazy time touring the International UFO Museum and Research Center. Wow, if you do not believe in flying saucers and little green men before, you will be a believer after a visit here. Really does make you wonder what ( or whom) is out there.

Finished the day at a couple of great antique stores in Roswell and some excellent burgers at Big D's in Downtown Roswell. Back at the RV Park, we finally saw another Avanti motor home like ours. The first Ever. The couple driving it were from Holland. They store the motor home in Las Vegas and fly over about 3 times per year to Holiday in the US. We had such a great time touring and comparing our homes on wheels.

Tomorrow we plan to visit Sitting Bull Falls in the Lincoln National Forest. Can't wait!

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