Do you remember, Dad, when you and Mom took your long-delayed honeymoon 70 years ago? World War II got in the way somewhere along the line, and then you had to start a life with a family that had waited for you. After a bit you saved a little money and found a little time and you and Mom drove a '40 Ford coupe from California to Arizona, New Mexico, and points east. You visited an Army buddy in Wisconsin for awhile, from the pictures I've seen. I was only two or so, and don't remember the trip, but this must have been one of the first times you could enjoy traveling! You never lost that love!
One of the places you visited was Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. I'm happy to tell you that yesterday Donna and I drove 192 miles west from Lubbock, Texas, and stopped in an rv park just north of the town of Carlsbad. It's a KOA, which you know, Dad, that we don't usually like, but this one is great!
Wide sites, friendly staff, and good utilities. You would love it, because there is a big lake nearby, Brantley Lake, where you could go fishing! Shortly after we set up camp a couple pulled in next to us. with their two Boston Terriers! You should have seen Sasha play with Cosmo and Gidget!
It's about 50 miles south to the actual Carlsbad Caverns Park, so we took advantage of picking up an hour when we changed into Mountain Time Zone, and cruised down there to check it out. I certainly don't remember what the town of Carlsbad looked like in 1947, but it probably hasn't changed much since then!
There is a lot of oil field activity around here, part of the West Texas Oil Patch, I expect. I remember how you always hoped that oil would be discovered on the Old Place, so you could give up farming and take it easy! That never happened and you worked like....well, a farmer....your whole life.
We eventually made it to Carlsbad Caverns, about 55 miles from the rv park.
We were granted complimentary access to the caverns because we have a Senior Access Pass. If I remember correctly, you were the one that advised us to get the pass 10 years ago or so. Good tip! We decided not to take the Main Entrance path into the caverns due to the fact that the trail is 1.25 miles long, and 750 high, in a corkscrew configuration! Instead we took an elevator 750 straight down to the Big Room. This trail is likewise about 1.3 miles long, but as you and Mom will remember, takes a visitor through some of the most magnificent cave formations in the world.
Sediment accumulated on top of water that filtered through the limestone into the cavern. Eventually the water disappeared, leaving limestone filigree.
This one is aptly named Rock of Ages. It is the single largest formation in the caverns.
At every turn another awesome formation presents itself.
This pool of water is absolutely clear and seems to disappear in the depths.
A ladder used during a National Geographic sponsored expedition to the Bottomless Pit is still (sort of) in place. I would hate to use it these days!
These pools of water have collected over years, but have no outlet from the caverns. They simply stay in the low points, hoping that visitors do not throw contaminated coins and such into them.
Named the Dolls Theater, this formation is awe inspiring!
Although 95% of the structures in the caverns are no longer building on themselves, we saw one huge shape hanging from the ceiling with a single bright spot of water hanging from it. Come back in a million years or so to see what happened!
This is called "The Chinese Theater":
We ended up spending more than 2 hours in the caverns. We were constantly passed by people hurrying through as if to check another National Park off their lists as soon as possible. The formations were very nicely lit to show their best features, but of course, there is always someone with a million candlepower led light examining every nook and cranny. We took our time enjoying the sights as you taught us to.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit, Dad, as I know you and Mom did those many years ago. While I'm sure the lighting and maybe the paved trail with stainless steel handrails didn't exist, I know you enjoyed your experience.
Our return to Carlsbad took us into downtown.
We stopped at La Patrona, a mexican food truck, for a taco/burrito. What a great lunch! Delicious! Returning home, we took Sasha to the dog park for a bit of a run, and then started a water softener regeneration. The water here is awful, Pop!
Thanks, Dad, for the spirit of adventure you passed on. We sometimes forget how beautiful this country is, and how fortunate we are to be able to see a small part of it. We are looking forward to getting home and seeing family and friends, and seeing Mom and Sis on the way is an added bonus for sure! We'll have a nice visit with them, but I wish you were going to be there.
Happy Birthday, Dad!!
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