On & Off the Road

Two in one day!!!!!!!

This morning, we made up for yesterday’s lazy start, and by 7:30 we were on the road over to Carlsbad Caverns.  It’s a nearly 4 hour drive there. Ditto back.  And lots to see in between!

For those who don’t know… I know I didn’t… a little geological history.  To get to Carlsbad Cavern, one drives up a windy road to the top of a cliff several hundred feet above the level of the High Plains region of southern New Mexico.  This cliff area is known as the Guadalupe Escarpment.  The Escarpment is actually an ancient reef on edge of an inland ocean during the Permian era, over 250 million years ago.  This reef was not a coral reef was formed from sponges and aglae, along with lots of other marine animals.  Over the ages, the ocean receded then disappeared.  The area over time was buried by younger layers of rocks. 

Road to Visitor Center - Up the Guadalupe Escarpment

But, about 15 million years ago, the ancient reef rock began to rise, creating the Guadalupe Mountains.  The rock folded and fractured.  The process of forming the caverns began as rain seeped through the soil, and began to carve out the system.  But unlike many caves, this action alone does not account for Carlsbad.  4 to 6 million years ago hydrogen-sulfide rich water migrated up from below from oil and gas rich fields surrounding the reef.  This mixed with water from above, and formed sulfuric acid.

Anyhow, I won’t bore you further.  You’re welcome to seek out more info yourself.

We began our tour at the “Natural Entrance” where we walked down a switchback trail into the cave. 

The Mouth

 Eventually, we reached the bottom, 755 feet below the surface!  This trek took about 1 hour 45 minutes, and covered about 1.5 miles.  All I really can tell you is… if you’ve never seen it, you’re really missing something!  Absolutely amazing!

We then took an elevator back to the surface, and ate a quick lunch.  Then, back down the elevator (they don’t allow ANY food in the cavern, any more for a number of reasons) and a long slow walk around the 1.5 mile path through the “Big Room” cavern.

We’re back in Alamogordo now, our last night here.

Or IS IT?????

Scott on path into cave

Eric on path into cave

Some speleothems

Looking down to the High Plains floor... once an ocean bed.

Sorry I’m so late getting this posted!

Yesterday, Scott and I drove over to Terry’s house (Terry is Bruce’s wife) to take Bethany up to the Space Museum.  For those who don’t know, Alamogordo, NM, played a major role in the US Space program.  White Sands just to the west is the site where many of our early rockets were tested.  Werner Von Braun and his fellow German scientists were brought here after WWII.

Anyhow, we didn’t really get moving until 12:30.  I always feel guilty when I don’t get the day’s projects moving until noon or later… I have to remind myself I’M ON VACATION!!!!

Uncle Scott and Eleanor (2y4m)

By the time we got up to the museum, it was a little after 1 p.m.  After checking times for the various movies at the IMAX, we started our tour through the museum… it’s a 4 story building, and you start at the top, then walk down.  On the fourth floor, a docent gave us a talk about what it’s like to live in space.  This gentleman had never been to space, but worked closely with the astronauts throughout the 60s.  He was also a NASA “frogman”, whose job it was to meet the returned capsules (Gemini and Apollo) in the ocean, open them up and assist the astronauts out and into the waiting helicopter.  He had several fascinating stories!

Uncle Scott and Bethany (almost 12y)

We got through the third floor of the museum when they announced that the Sharks movie would begin soon at the IMAX, so we ran down there.  Bethany wasn’t too interested in the “Moon Desolation” movie, so we watched Sharks.  I guess it was good… the room was cool, it was dark, and there was light music.  I fell asleep!

When it was over, we decided not to go back to the museum.  Bethany really wasn’t in to space, either, it turns out.  But the important thing for us was just getting to spend some time with our niece!  So who cares?

After the movie, we drove out to Tularosa to do some shopping, and to visit a Pistachio farm.  Then we headed back to Terry’s.  Terry was out, so we played a game of DragonMaster with Bethany.  She’s really not found too many friends since moving to Alamogordo after her daddy was killed.  No one will play this game with her.  Her Dad used to.  So Scott and I played awhile.

About 7 we all went out to dinner, then over to Mudder & Pops for desert and to see Mark and Julie (Scott’s youngest brother and his wife).  We were there until almost 10:30 last night!

Eleanor and Mom (Terry)

 

Mark, Scott & Pops

Pops, Scott & Mudder