Rocks and Flowers

Yesterday Rob did find himself on the mend enough to start moving again.  We packed up and headed the 38 miles to see the Carlsbad Caverns.  Having waited out the Easter weekend and arriving just after opening hour, we were treated to having the Caverns essentially to ourselves.

In contrast to the Caverns of Sonoma we saw last week, Carlsbad was an amphitheater of geology.  With one room that covered over 8 acres of property, the massive size of every part of it was unimaginable.  Of course, capturing the size on film – or any of the phenomenal detail of the formations – proved useless with our simple cameras. 

How can I tell you about waterfalls of rock formation that “spill” several stories high – all underground deeper than the 800ft we originally descended!  Stalactites and stalagmites that formed over hundreds of thousands of years and are still changing.  Marvelously thin “soda straws” that stretch impossibly long that can break with a light touch yet remain intact.  Flowing ribbons called draperies that look just like strips of bacon hanging from the ceiling.  And the fact that all of this formed from water slowly trickling through rock from the surface, mixed with nutrients and gas that little by little formed it all. 

Fully awestruck, we got back on the road toward the next encounter.  As you would imagine, the Caverns are hidden well up in the mountains and we had about 150 miles to go before hitting El Paso down a LONG stretch of desert highway.  The highway was LONG enough to have us both on the edge of our seats waiting to roll to a gas depleted stop!  It was shocking to pass through so much oil land without a gas station in sight!!

After taking care of provisioning and maintenance needs (AND GAS!), we continued down the highway hoping to find a good stop for the night.  After several disappointments, we decided to stretch the day a bit further and headed for Rockhound State Park half way across New Mexico.  What a GREAT choice!

This wonderful little park is well planned and maintained.  Founded by a rock and plant loving gentleman, there are geology lessons and gardens throughout.  Perched on a random hillside, this park allows visitors to remove up to 20 pounds of rock each.  Although I couldn’t find any, The hillsides are apparently teaming with geodes and thunder eggs, four colors of jasper, white and peach opal and more.

On top of that, the botanical aspect of the park was dazzling.  With desert gardens planted around the grounds, there were beautiful and unusual flowers everywhere.  Not the big, full color displays like we're used to but marvelous, delicate bursts of color in the midst of hearty and intimidating cacti.  It was a particular treat for this flower hound.  

  

We were so impressed with the park itself and its amazing staff of caring, intelligent caretakers that we decided to spend a second night.  With a bike ride and a couple of short hikes, meeting some new friends and ending each day with a night sky overflowing with stars, I have to say this is all working out just fine!