Day 30 July 22nd, 2012:
Good morning / evening from Midland, Texas…
Yesterday was a really interesting day:
1. the realization the adventure is almost over hit all of us
2. We all slept in VERY late 1st time in 30 days
3. We were about to go cave hiking which was new to us (at least this type of cave..)
We arrived very late to the visitor’s center with the hopes we would be able to do the hike, get out have a bite to eat and then watch the bat flight program with better luck than yesterday.
The cave is over 800’ below ground…you can either walk in and out, walk in elevator (750’ ride) out, or elevator down and walk out…based on suggestion by Michael (great suggestion actually) we took the elevator down, absolutely no line then we would do the 800’ assent opposed to waiting the 70 minutes for the elevator out.
When you step off the elevator it is a blast of 55 deg air and damp…you walk through a good size path about 100’, and then OMG…you walk into the great room which is so massive I cannot even explain, other than saying that all the photos are shot with an EXTREMELY wide angle lens….the one I use for all the big outside shouts. I mean you can literally see the 1 mile loop in various spots. Simply awe inspiring! The hike was a total of 2.25 miles, with a total climb of 850’…the going up was fairly steep…you climb 800’ in 1 mile. Really spectacular to see, and then to find out that Carlsbad is the “small” cave at Carlsbad…they recently un-covered and are still exploring a new cave structure on property 120 miles big…wicked cool to know there is an environment below our’s, and as you drive up, over , or near you just have no idea…
Well, after the hike we found out there was a VERY good chance the bats would not be flying again…so we decided to start heading South, then East into Texas…which is what we did. We pushed about 180 miles last night and are 350 miles West of Dallas, which is where we will be God willing tonight to meet up with family, including my dad and step mother, who happen to be here as well…
After that it’s DRIVE, DRIVE, DRIVE…the goal is to be home for Michael's birthday which is Thursday…So, this actually may be the last blog until the final one I write when we get home…
Until the next blog, please have a very Bless day(s)…..
El Captain...Highest point in Texas! As seen from our camper in the am..
Michael in awe!
If you look in the light you will see Michael doing the "pose"
The last 150'....
This is the rode into the National Park...
Closest image I have of showing the Earth curve...this was in New Mexico...very cool ride
Another BLESSED day....
No comments:
Post a Comment