Carlsbad Caverns....

As promised....here are some photos from our "caving" experience!

We choose to do the "walk in" rather then ride the elevator down the almost 800 feet to the "Big Room".  It takes about an hour to reach it, but what a beautiful walk! 

 

This little guy was just one of the many birds flying and roosting around the entrance

 Taking photos down in the cave is very challenging...but I managed to get a few good ones.....

These photos really don't even begin to show you the beauty and quiet darkness the cave possesses.  It is truly a magical place....another world....full of wonder and astonishing sights.......

Davis Mountain State Park

What a great week we had at Davis Mountain State Park......thanks Dad, for giving us a "heads up" on that one!  You can click on the link above to learn all about it!  We had a beautiful pull through with full hook ups (a rare find in state parks), and a cement patio with awning.  Just know....ATT cell phones no service and no Verizon Internet service.  You can go to the lodge and use their free wifi. 
I did two great hikes while I was there....

Lots of beautiful rock formations.....

View of the trail up, up, up and very rocky....

A view from the top-down....I think I was at about 500 feet....Whew!

Cactus were starting to bloom....

So pretty!

The trail eventually ends down at the inn....I think it took me about 2 hours from start to finish and about 2.5 miles....

Here is a little Swallow perched on one of the light fixtures down at the Inn....and....

I couldn't resist snapping a pic of this little swallow peeking at me from the nest!

Found this great little picnic area on our drive into Fort Davis.....

 

Bill decided to do his "mountain climb"......

 I think it took him about 5 minutes to get to the top.....LOL!

 We also went up and took a great tour of McDonald Observatory during the day....went back later that evening for the "Star Party".  The evening was cold and windy, but oh so worth it.  Got to look through several telescopes....at the moon, Saturn, Jupiter......just awesome!

One of the big telescopes we got to tour....

Do you believe the size of that thing.....very cool!  He even showed us how it all moves!
We left Davis Mountain last Thursday and are now spending the rest of the weekend here in Lakewood, New Mexico at "The Ranch" escapees park.  We went down to Carlsbad and did the big BAT Cave again....love that place...and today we will tour the Living Desert.....so stay tuned for more pics....Happy Trails everyone!

If it's Wednesday....this must be Las Cruces

On the road again...left Yuma and headed back over to Tucson last Thursday.  Staying at the "Lazy Days" RV park and took in a few sights.  The first being "Old Tucson" you can click the link to read all about it and below you can view a few of my pics....

A walk down Main Street.....

Took in a show at the Hotel....

Decided to take a ride on the Stagecoach.....that was a neat experience!

So....what do ya reckon HIS pickup line is?
Next on the "what to see list" was the Desert Museum.  Again you can click on the link for info and check out a few of my pics below.....

 

I believe this is a Cactus Wren

 and a few of the Cactus were in bloom

But my favorite.....was seeing this little guy...known as an Elf Owl.  Just two dang cute!

Left Tucson Tuesday and landed in Las Cruces, NM.  The wind is a howling something fierce here today, with blowing sand and limited visibility.  Not to fear, we have battened down the hatches and plan on staying put til it "blows" itself out.  Then we be headed south to Fort Davis!

 

Wickedly Windy Day

Yesterday started out ok....in fact, we are becoming old pros at crossing the border!  Headed into Mexico for the 3rd time....this time to pick up my new glasses (Billy got a new pair too), buy some cheap meds, and finally...let's not forget the booze.  Picked me up a bottle of amaretto flavored Tequila....mmmm good stuff!
Got back home and the wind started to pick up...before it was over we had sustained winds of 40+mph and gust over 50mph.  We headed out for dinner around 4pm...this is what we saw....

or didn't see...LOL!  It was a bad one and let me tell you that sand hurts when it hits unprotected skin!  We we got back to the rv park....a big tree out in front of the place had been uprooted.   The wind finally died down around 8pm and they are forecasting less wind for today.  We have lots to do to be ready to leave here on Thursday.  Billy will be checking tires and all the "outside" mechanicals.  I'll be re organizing the cabinets and packing away my "pretties" and cleaning out the sand from yesterday.  Even though we had all the windows and the door closed, it still manages to find its way inside. 
I think we are both ready to move on....the park here has become a ghost town.  We have said most of our goodbyes and watched many our "new" friends leave for home.  So quiet here now....so Tucson, ready or not, here we come!  More adventures await!