Carlsbad Caverns

Since the kids had Friday off for the "Vernal Holiday" we went down south to explore Carlsbad Caverns. Here are some pictures of the adventures. It would probably be more fun to have the kids narrate--but they're in bed.  So today it's just my boring narration.

The monument sign.  

We wouldn't be good tourists if we didn't stop to take a picture with the sign.

Here we are before hiking down to natural entrance.  Won't be needing those sunglasses for long.  It's a mile hike into the darkness, almost ALL downhill.  Then you take an elevator up! 

Now that's my kind of hike!

Hayden was a good sport in that backpack.  When he was bored he would toss his pacifier overboard, or kick his shoes off.  (Usually, I tie a string to his pacifier and secure it to the backpack, but I couldn't find the tie this time.  As result, his pacifier was dropped on the cave floor numerous times. )  He ended the hike with his shoes tucked in the backpack and his pacifier in my pocket. 

Down we go!

Some of the formations we saw. 

 (None of the pictures turned out very well because of how dark it is in the cave.)  

"Hold to the Rod!"

(& Hayden missing a shoe)

This formation was one of the kids favorites, and they loved spotting it all over the caverns.  Why?  Well, because it's called "Popcorn" of course!

More cool formations.

Here are my troopers.  Daphne said the caves smelled "funky"  and Sean kept saying stuff like, "Mom, these rocks are beautiful.  Mom, this cave is very dark and beautiful."

He's becoming very eloquent in his old age.