Meanwhile back at the Ranch

Hello all,
I have been holding that post title in as long as I could ' )
 We are definitely slowing down some. It is a very quiet campground and towns are 15-20 miles away. We are enjoying very good weather around 80 during the day and cool nights. That will all change when we head to South Dakota.
 We did take in a place called the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens in Carlsbad, N.M. It is part of New Mexico State Parks.

You take a self guided trip through a desert habitat. You see vegetation of The Chihuanhuan Desert and New Mexico.

 Next were exhibits of the various desert life. A Nocturnal exhibit, and then the zoo area featuring javelina, mountain lion. Then a section of hoofed stock with mule deer, elk, bison, and pronghorn.
 At the end they had a greenhouse filled with cacti from around the world.
 It all was pretty cool and made a nice day.

 Today we took off for Carlsbad Caverns. The area surrounding the caverns was charred from fire last year. It will take a long time to recover as they get so little rain.

 We took self guided tours through the two biggest areas. We entered the natural entrance, a long series of switchbacks going down 750 feet. It then leveled out and you start to see a few of the cave formations.

 The second area and the most famous is the Big Room. It spans 8.2 acres, enough room for 14 football fields. It was amazing!
You see the many speleothems( formations) that you see in other caves but the size and quantity sets them apart.  Stalactites, stalagmites, popcorn, ribbon, bacon, draperies, and soda straws to name some of those. And it is always neat the way they name some of them, The Caveman, Boneyard, Totem Pole and The Bottomless Pit to name a few.

  I told Wendy the best part was an elevator that returned you to the visitor center : ). Another good thing  we were able to use our National Parks Pass.We had bought the pass when we went to Big Bend N.P.
 Cost was $80. and good for one year at many National Parks. We have already used it for $32. entry fees.