2022 Travel Log #11 Carlsbad Caverns National Park & Reconnecting with a Friend

After Guadalupe, we explored Carlsbad Caverns National Park. But the evening before, we explored around the town/area. This is the closest area to the park, Whites City.

He's real!

And actually a quite friendly guy!

We stayed the night in Carlsbad, NM. They have a park by the river in town! We walked there as the sun set.

And here is our adventure in the park. 

There were two ways to enter--via elevator from the visitors center or via a 1.25 mile steep grade hike down. We did the hike in. By doing this, you see much more of the cave.

It is pretty neat how you walk down and go into the hole!

Our plans included exploring Rattlesnake Canyon the remainder of the day but it was closed due to damage caused by flooding, along with all the other hiking trails :(....so, we did a little ridge walk and picnicked).

After Carlsbad, we kept looking at the map trying to determine what to do, where to go. We decided that we would start going back east. Since our last extended trip (2019) the boys' interests have changed. While they have been great on the trip, we can tell they are not really enjoying the things we are doing near as much as Johnny and I. AND I got tired of fighting to get them to do the limited school I was asking here. So, for them--natural consequences it will be. If we don't get back, they will not have time to get caught back up to make a passing grade by the time I have to submit grades. We will see how all that pans out. (insert sigh here) 

We stayed in Carlsbad that night and then moved on east. We decided to stay the night in the Fort Worth/Dallas area and attend the Village Church the next morning. SO glad we did that! It was fantastic, and I have lots of things to chew on/think about from the experience!

And another reason for that stop....I was able to reconnect with a sweet friend that I haven't seen in 14 years! She and her friend drove through terrible traffic for over 45 minutes to meet me for dinner. I met Deb at work at Saltillo Elementary School. We worked together for years and had the opportunity to share life together. I am so thankful for friends that God puts in our path over the years! She and Jennifer said they would be making a trip to East TN to see us! Yay!!

I think Johnny's favorite part of this stop was finally eating at an In/Out Burger joint. The last time we were in this area he intended to, but somehow, we didn't. THIS time though...lol, he snapped a very becoming picture of me!

And the last stop there was a little time for the boys to do some things.

This things would spin and flip all the way over/upside down.

After that, they played a round of laser tag. We then headed further east towards home.