Day 15 – Mountains and Underground

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We left Van Horn heading north to our next stop – Guadalupe Mountains National Park. As we were traveling state route 54, we came across our first stop for road constructions. The construction crew was tearing up the road and then laying a new surface down making it smoother. But this new surface is what I know as chip coat. I could see rocks flying from under the RV while I was driving along. I was hoping that the rock guard was protecting my trailer and car.

Looking up at the Guadalupe Mountains
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We finally make it to Guadalupe Mountains National Park and stopped at the visitor center. I went and checked on the trailer, DAM – I noticed that the rocks had stripped all the paint off the lower front part of the fenders on the trailer – it was nice and silvery. Also the rocks pelted my box on the front of the trailer. Now I need to get some paint to protect the fender. We also swiped as much of the rocks off the trailer so the tar on the rocks would not stick to the trailer and cause problem later. Amanda went and got the Junior Ranger Program booklet and proceeded to start working on it. We did the visitor center show and took the short paved trail to the Pinery – the crumbling ruins of the old Butterfield Stage Station. Amanda then completed enough of the booklet, so we returned and she got her patch.

Gravel damage and Lightening

Looking at the Natural Enterance and where the Bat Flight takes place
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Next stop – Carlsbad Caverns National Park. I pulled off the highway and looked around the little village that is at the entrance to the park. But that campground did not seem to be in a very good shape. Well, I made a decision and headed on into Carlsbad (the town.)

Looking through the Woodalls and TrailerLife books, we found a campground that had WiFi – Carlsbad RV Park & Campground. We pulled in a little after Noon and setup camp. I unload the car (took off a few more rocks that had tar on it – cleaned the tar off the car!). We headed on into town to find something to eat quickly so we could head back to the caverns. We finally found a place that we could get something relatively easy and eat on the go - Sonic

Amanda Working on her Junior Ranger Program booklet
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We arrived at Carlsbad Caverns National Park and drove to the top and headed on into the visitor Center. Once inside we had to make a decision on what we were going to do. Finally, Mom will eventually go down the elevator and meet up with the rest of the family to do the Big Room self guided tour. Amanda obtained the Junior Ranger Program booklet. Before proceeding to the start of the self guided Natural Entrance Tour, we rented two of those electronic stick things that talk to you when you put in a number (This is a must! The stick will do both the Big Room Tour and the Natural Entrance Tour). We took our time doing the Natural Entrance Tour. It was neat to be able to go our own pace. We finally finished the Natural Entrance Tour and found mom waiting at the concession area (YES – 754 feet underground). We proceeded to do the Big Room Tour. Almost to the completion of the Big Room Tour the kids were getting tired and hungry so they were trying to hurry me up on my picture taking.

Concession Under Ground
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Once arriving in the visitor center we went over to the ranger desk so Amanda could get her Junior Ranger patch. And then we headed on over to the restaurant to get dinner. I also asked a ranger about the rule of NO PHOTOGRAPHY ALLOWED at the bat flight. We found out, that the rule is to protect the bats from the noise and any ultrasonic sounds that the cameras could produce. So I bought a CD with 20 pictures of the bats.

We watched the bats and enjoyed the information that was given. When talking to a ranger after the flight, I noticed that he was carrying a device that could detect how far away lighting strikes are from our location. If the strikes have gotten close enough they would have closed the park early and evacuated the park. (Remember the visitor center is sitting on top of the hill.)

Looking southeast at the storm from the visitor center parking lot
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Facts

• Gas Stops: None
• Tour/Attractions/Gift Shops: Two
• Damage: Rock – Paint removed from trailer fenders