February 9, 2024

Our 34th day.

Early this past week we headed out looking for Buffalo Gap Falls. It was to be 32 miles from a turn off. We went 35 miles and did not find it so we turned around and headed back. Needless to say about 13 miles back we saw the sign telling us to turn down another road to get to the falls. As we were low on fuel we decided to call it a day and try this again another day. 

Yesterday we went to the Carlsbad Caverns which lies 800 feet below ground. We got to the park at 11:30 am and started the hike to the cave shortly thereafter. The entry was a zig zag walk way leading into the cave.

entrance to Carlsbad Cavern

        


This is a self guided tour at your own pace, for the most part you were in the cave by yourself. I think we saw maybe 10 people throughout our time in the cave. About 45 minutes in we came across 3 people who lost track of their guide (you can also have guided tours) and asked us if we saw a tour group. We had not and told them if they keep heading up they will eventually get out through the entrance.

I was glad that I grabbed my little flashlight from the Jeep before we entered. There were many times that the downhill trail was not lighted . The trail in was very steep and after a while you could feel it in the calves of your legs. It was amazing how big the rooms were inside the cave.



At every turn there was something to see and comment about. You talked in a whisper unless you wanted everyone in the cave to hear you. I was amazed at the work that was done to create the walkway throughout the cave and all the concrete had to be carried in and around the cave. Walls were constructed to allow for the walkway and stainless steel hand rails were in place throughout. Thankful for the handrails, they were used on the entire way down and it was a very steep walkway. 


selfie in the cave

We spent over two hours in the cave walking 3 miles, exiting at 2 pm. It was 56 degrees and very humid in the cave. We left our jackets in the Jeep and each took a bottle of water with us when we entered (thankful for that). At the end of the walk there was a huge area with restroom, seating area and what look like a concession stand. This was 800 feet below the surface. The best part however, was an elevator taking you back to the surface. Not sure we could have climbed back up so we did take the elevator. The elevator did not register floors but instead it listed how many feet you had to go to the top. It would jump in 25 foot increments. 
 



Used a flash on this selfie.


View from outside the Carlsbad Caverns Administrative Office
                                           

Unique RV in campgrounds, Germany logo on the front. This would allow us to really get off road.

                                           

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