Carlsbad Caverns

I just loved the way everyone parked at the parking lot at Carlsbad Caverns. Obviously the parking lines went the other way. I parked the correct way as did that red truck. If everyone drove off a bridge, would you?

Here is the natural entrance to Carlsbad Caverns. Unfortunately there are no bats this time of year. They have migrated south into Mexico for the winter. Even though I am about as south as one can get in the United States, sometimes I wish I could do the same. During this whole trip the temperatures struggled to get out of the 30's. Come on Spring!


This is right about under the lip of the natural opening. It appears that it goes down for a little bit (maybe a 150 feet or so) then levels off. It is very deceiving because what you see here actually continues for about 800 feet almost strait down into the abyss. You keep thinking it has to level off but you just keep getting deeper and deeper.


Looking back up at the last of the light. From here on you are entering a world of complete darkness.


Down and down the path goes into the earth. After you reach the true bottom you have walked nearly a mile.


This is in the King's Palace. The room is off limits to the public because it is so incredibly beautiful and fragile. I was lucky enough to tag along with a tour group. It was hard at times trying to keep up with everyone while I set up my camera and tripod. The underground world is so surreal. I asked several of the rangers on the tour if they have ever been inside the Lechugella cave which is known the world over as the "Most Beautiful Cave" in the world. It is also the fifth longest cave in the world. Unfortunately the best story I could obtain while asking was an riveting story about changing the locks on the front door. It seems no one knows anything about Lechugella Cave. It is one of the last mysteries of the world. What else is down there?


Still in the King's Palace room/chamber.


King's Palace room/chamber yes we got to walk under and between those massive stalactites. It was through this walk way I believe I felt something strange. Yes I definitely felt it. There was a wind blowing through this passage way. Believe it or not Carlsbad Caverns has wind. It is the caves way of trying to even out the barometric pressure and temperature difference from all the way up at the surface.


This is the Bashful Elephant. Can you see it. At first I thought it looked like a tooth.


Green Pool in King's Palace.


This had to be one of my favorite sculptures. It's the Lion's Tail.


One of the many "hallways" on the way to the Big Room in the heart of Carlsbad Caverns.


I believe I am in the Big Room at this point. Those two holes at the bottom are more than 90 feet below my vantage point. They open up into more caverns and passageways, many of which are still unexplored. They are off limits as is about 95% or more of the Carlsbad Caverns.


Looking across the Big Room.


The Bottomless Pit.


This formation reminded me of the White House for whatever reason.


Giant stalagmites everywhere!


A scene from across the Big Room.


The Rock of Ages.


Detail on the Rock of Ages.


There were holes and passages everywhere that no doubt opened up into more rooms and passages. I took a picture of this one because it looked like it was oozing slime.


So beautiful and delicate.


Believe it or not they have a restaurant and a gift shop at the bottom of Carlsbad Caverns. What is this sad sick world coming to! Needles to say I was very disappointed.


Now I'm at the surface exploring the desert wild life. Here is an (Escobaria tuberculosa) or Arizona Pincushion Cactus.


A Strawberry Hedgehog Cactus (Echinoereus stramineus).


Ocotillos (Fouquieria spendensand) and Lechuguilla Agave (Agave lechuguilla) are growing here on the edge of this limestone cliff. The Lechuguilla Agave only grows in the Chihuahuan Desert.


The Texas Rainbow (Echinocereus dasyacanthus) on the left and an a Findlar's Hedgehog Cactus (Echinocereus fendleri) on the right.


And I went to Mexico! See here I am entering back into the United States. Ok so not really. I will explain. I took a wrong turn and said to myself, "Oh well I'll just take the next exit and turn around." Unfortunately there was no exit and soon I was stopped at the border by the Mexican border patrol. I tried to explain that I had made a wrong turn and did not want to go to Mexico. The Mexican border official spoke very little English but I think he under stood that I just wanted to turn around. I finally got through the gate (going into Mexico) and turned around to wait in line for half an hour to get through the United States customs. I thought there was no way they are going to believe me. I have no passport, a beat up silver truck, and a bunch of dirty camping supplies. The US border patrol drilled me several questions then took my drivers license and made a couple of phone calls. He let me off the hook and I was able to finally return home.