Bats, bats and more bats

September 17/09 - Carlsbad, New Mexico

Took the day off today. Rented a car and took a side trip to Carlsbad Caverns. The caverns are located in the Guadalupe Mountains in Carlsbad National Park.

Incredible country, such a short distance away and so different a place. The Guadalupe Mountains are a desert range. Flora ranges from grasses to several varieties of cactus to low lying brush. Took several short walks, surprisingly green and lush for such a hot dry climate. The hardy plants and trees are the epitome of adaption.

Took a self tour into the Cavern. About a 1 1/2 hour walk, 75 stories downward - magnificent. Then took a guided tour through the King's palace, the Queen's chamber, and the Papoose room. All well worth it and a must see.


At 6:50 pm we sat in the amphitheatre at the entrance to the cavern to watch the bat flight. We watched between 300 and 500 thousand bats leave the cavern for their nightly feed - awe inspiring. Apparently they will be back for their daily snooze at about 5:00 am. We watched the bat flight for about 40 minutes until it became to dark to see the bats. They were still exiting when we left.

I came up with a name for my old Nishiki - Calypso. 'Aye, Calypso, the places you've been to, the things that you've shown us the stories you tell'. God bless John Denver and Jacques Cousteau. Deby came up with a name for her bike - V-Dub. (Kim was the one that came up with this when an old 80's VW van was pulling in to camp next to us in Sante Fe. He had to take a run at the small incline to the camp spot and Kim said "that van is like you. Does good downhill and with the wind, but struggles uphill and in a headwind." No denying that, so V-Dub my bike became.)

Tomorrow we ride.