Carlsbad NM

Tuesday 30 April 2019

We were up early even though we are only traveling 80 miles to Carlsbad, NM, just a bad nights sleep.  We were on the road by 10:15 stopped just once for lunch and arrived around 12:45.  The first 

Welcome to Windy

Sandy New Mexico!

40 miles were OK but after lunch the wind picked up a lot.  I guess it was 25/30 mph with gusts up to 40mph.  And out here in the flat land that means dust.  Sometimes we thought it was fog but no as you get closer it was dust.  We set up camp then went to the visitors center for info, drove around town for a little then back to camp. The wind was so bad Diane made chicken wraps and we stayed inside. Hot, just around 90.

Wednesday 1 May 2019

We had a quick breakfast and headed to the Carlsbad Caverns around 9:30.   The 30 mile ride down route 285 was lovely (in a desert kind of way) then a 10 mile drive up to the edge of the Guadalupe Mountain to the Carlsbad Cavern Visitor's center.  We stopped at an information pull off on the way up the mountain and while reading the plaque 5 mountain sheep walked by. That was cool.  We walked up to get our tickets and the lady wanted to know if we were taking the elevator down. We said no we will walk, well she looked at us (really me) and said are you sure!

I'm good I said and off we went.  I'll just give you some info,  it is a 850 foot descent to the bottom, that is 85 stories,  it is wet, slippery, very dimly lit, and very, very steep.  About half way I had to sit and rest watching younger people walking by both up and down.  After a little rest we made it to the bottom. Yea, there is a snack bar and restroom we were both relieved. We had a bunch of pictures from the caverns I think she has a link but they were awl inspiring and we didn't do the extra tours.

I think we spent 3 hours walking around looking at everything.  It was hard to imagine the early explorers climbing rope ladders with just a dim lantern. We were ready to head back up and Diane asked if we were walking back up, but it was to late I was already in the elevator.  Up to the top, walked around the souvenir shop bought a few things and then home.  As we were leaving Diane found a side road down through the canyon and of course we took it.  A nine mile road at ten mph plus slow down for the switch backs and it becomes a 1 hour detour.  After that a ride home to rescue Rudy, burgers on the grill and pain killers for my knees/legs and the day is over.

Click here:      Carlsbad Cavern


Thursday 2May 2019

  We woke up about 4:30 am to the sound of the slide out covers flapping in the wind, next was the lawn chairs flipping over then the Moho was rocking.  It was just wind but a lot of it.  We went to Happy's for breakfast, it was OK no need to return.  Came home walked Rudy and on our way out by 10:30.  We had several stops to make, drug store, hardware store, lunch, money and groceries.  With the town being over run with oil field worker everything is congested.  Some times making a left turn is a nerve racking event. The first stop was for money at a (free CU) they wanted to charge me $4.00 no way. And headed to next one after making two more left turns it also charged me $4.00 no way.  So Diane got out of the truck walked around and her card worked. Ugh   I was trying to use my credit card, switched to my debit card all was well. I  missed the turn to the restaurant and had to turn around in traffic.  The rest of day went OK the grocery store is always full and you have to hunt for a parking spot.  We made it home unloaded groceries and happy hour was on. The wind died down enough for burgers on the grill.

Friday 3 May 2019

Very warm today but calm so I'm  not complaining.  We headed out to the river walk and few errands to get ready for our trip tomorrow. First was the river walk it was very nice along the Pecos River but just to hot.  We walk for almost a hour then headed back as temps were around 85 degrees.  Next was lunch we stopped at Junior's a Mexican restaurant we sat down and waited the food delivered to other tables looked good but after ten minutes no one waited on us so we left.  I guess they don't serve

English speaking people.  Next was the BLM office for some info then lunch at the Red Chimney. Once again we split "The Hogs Plate" and we brought left overs home. Then it was the second trip to the drug store trying to get scripts filled and again no luck.  The grocery store for stuff we forgot yesterday and gas station.  Then it was three o'clock so no Desert Zoo this trip. Back home walk Rudy left overs for dinner and start preparing for tomorrow.