Texas Trip Day 15 Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe Mountains National Park

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North America » United States » New Mexico
October 15th 2022

Published: October 18th 2022

Jamie and Laura

Carlsbad Caverns turned out to be a highlight of this trip. It was awe inspiring. I realize that I have said this about every single one of our days on this trip, but really. On your next vacation, go to Carlsbad Caverns.

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We walked down to the Big Cave via the natural entrance

We walked down to the Big Cave via the natural entrance

We walked down to the Big Cave via the natural entrance

As opposed to taking the elevator.

As opposed to taking the elevator.

As opposed to taking the elevator.

We walked down 750 feet in 1.25 miles of paved trail.

We walked down 750 feet in 1.25 miles of paved trail.

We walked down 750 feet in 1.25 miles of paved trail.

Everywhere we looked there were amazing sights.

Everywhere we looked there were amazing sights.

Everywhere we looked there were amazing sights.

It was pretty dim inside, but our eyes got used to it pretty quickly.

It was pretty dim inside, but our eyes got used to it pretty quickly.

It was pretty dim inside, but our eyes got used to it pretty quickly.

The really interesting features were spotlighted, and there was also some ambient light.

The really interesting features were spotlighted, and there was also some ambient light.

The really interesting features were spotlighted, and there was also some ambient light.

They also allow flash photography.

They also allow flash photography.

They also allow flash photography.

The ceiling was pretty high, which is a good thing for the health of people's heads and the survival of the stalactites.

The ceiling was pretty high, which is a good thing for the health of people's heads and the survival of the stalactites.

The ceiling was pretty high, which is a good thing for the health of people's heads and the survival of the stalactites.

Here's Jamie, blurry in the dark.

Here's Jamie, blurry in the dark.

Here's Jamie, blurry in the dark.

These are little baby stalactites. They have been growing for 99 years in a place where the rock was fresh after a trail was put in.

These are little baby stalactites. They have been growing for 99 years in a place where the rock was fresh after a trail was put in.

These are little baby stalactites. They have been growing for 99 years in a place where the rock was fresh after a trail was put in.

So imagine how long these have been growing!

So imagine how long these have been growing!

So imagine how long these have been growing!

We got to see an actual bat! This one was very confused.

We got to see an actual bat! This one was very confused.

We got to see an actual bat! This one was very confused.

We reluctantly left Carlsbad Caverns to go to Guadalupe Mountains National Park

We reluctantly left Carlsbad Caverns to go to Guadalupe Mountains National Park

We reluctantly left Carlsbad Caverns to go to Guadalupe Mountains National Park

The caverns are actually in the Guadalupe Mountains

The caverns are actually in the Guadalupe Mountains

The caverns are actually in the Guadalupe Mountains

The Ranger told us that all these mountains were formed the same way, so all of them are probably hollow - the only difference is that Carlsbad Caverns has an opening.

The Ranger told us that all these mountains were formed the same way, so all of them are probably hollow - the only difference is that Carlsbad Caverns has an opening.

The Ranger told us that all these mountains were formed the same way, so all of them are probably hollow - the only difference is that Carlsbad Caverns has an opening.

So these really are the Hollow Hills - which makes sense, considering what's inside.

So these really are the Hollow Hills - which makes sense, considering what's inside.

So these really are the Hollow Hills - which makes sense, considering what's inside.

We got caught in a ten minute thunder shower, during which we took refuge in the Visitor's Center.

We got caught in a ten minute thunder shower, during which we took refuge in the Visitor's Center.

We got caught in a ten minute thunder shower, during which we took refuge in the Visitor's Center.

Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in Texas.

Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in Texas.

Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in Texas.

During our drives in the past several states, we have been told to not cross the road in places if there's water on the road - the water can be moving fast enough to sweep your car off the road, and could presage a flash flood across the road.

During our drives in the past several states, we have been told to not cross the road in places if there's water on the road - the water can be moving fast enough to sweep your car off the road, and could presage a flash flood across the road.

During our drives in the past several states, we have been told to not cross the road in places if there's water on the road - the water can be moving fast enough to sweep your car off the road, and could presage a flash flood across the road.

And the sunsets are chronically beautiful.

And the sunsets are chronically beautiful.

And the sunsets are chronically beautiful.

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