Sunday, July 22, 2018

Day 30 - Chamizal and Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Before heading to today's main event, Carlsbad Caverns, we stopped at Chamizal National Memorial. This NPS memorializes the settlement of the United States and Mexico border. When we got to Carlsbad Caverns, we opted to hike down into the caverns and reward ourselves with an elevator ride back up! The elevator was broken during our 2016 road trip, so we were glad it was up and running! The caverns were massive and truly unbelievable. From surface level you would never think a whole labyrinth of stalagmites and stalactites lay beneath your feet.

Traveling with Greg and Mike

Mural

Finally here!

Mouth of the cave

Beginning our descent


Can't cut these switchbacks

Obligatory selfie

Pictures just don't capture the details

The largest chamber in the caverns

Pretty

The largest active stalagmite in the caverns

Formations shaped like the spires on a pagoda

Going up?

 Day 30 Rating: Finally made it to Carlsbad! Worth the wait! 10/10

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Day 29 - Casa Grande, Saguaro, Chiricahau, and Fort Bowie

Lots of National Park Sites on today's agenda. We started our morning at Casa Grande National Monument. I took 6 years of Spanish, so I can translate Casa Grande for us with ease. It means "big house". This is one of the largest prehistoric structures built in North America, and its purpose remains a mystery. Next, we explored Saguaro National Park. One of our favorite features of National Park Visitor Centers is the park video. The Saguaro park video might be the best one yet! Such a beautiful ending. You must see if for yourself! Saguaro NP is home to the nation's largest cacti. These unique cacti can only be found in this area of the United States. Chiricahau National Monument is another site that we wouldn't have visited if not for the contest. We fell in love with this park immediately, and we will definitely be back! We had the entire park to ourselves too, and that certainly didn't hurt. We enjoyed exploring the rock formations while the sun began to set. We capped off our busy day with a quick stop at Fort Bowie National Historic Site. 


The shade was a welcomed sight
Up close and personal
It is important to stay hydrated!
Gotta have proof
Brave park ranger
End of the park video
Saguaro and flowering cacti
Feels like I am in a western
One of a kind cacti
Admiring the view
Having the time of our lives!
Entering Chiricahau
King of the world
What a view
Going explorin'
"Wonderland of Rocks"
Neat hiking trail
Sun setting in the distance
That golden hour
New desktop wallpaper, anybody?
This doesn't get old
Mooo-ve out of the way! We've got exploring to do. 

Day 29 Rating: Found another gem in these ole' United States.10/10
 

Friday, July 20, 2018

Day 28 - Tuzigoot, Montezuma Castle, and Montezuma Well

Tuzigoot is fun to say. Try it! It means "crooked water". We are learning lots on this trip. Another interesting tidbit is that the inhabitants of Tuzigoot accessed rooms not by door but by ladder, entering rooms trapdoor style. Superfans of this blog may reconize some of the photos below. We visited Montezuma's castle on our 2016 roadtrip. Looks like the park rangers are taking good care of it. Keep up the good work, NPS! While at Montezuma's castle, a park ranger recommended that we take a short drive over to Montezuma Well, a site we didn't visit in 2016. We were grateful for the recommendation, and we enjoyed our time at Montezuma Well. The well is a natural limestone sinkhole that fills from an underground spring. If you look closely you can see the cliff dwelings of the Sinagua people.

Doorless rooms
Three story ruin
A view from the top of Tuzigoot
What is this? A center for ants?
The well
Cliff dwelings
Cheese balls 
Wide shot

Day 28 Rating:  Another gorgeous day! 10/10

Thursday, July 19, 2018

Day 27 - Lake Mead and Sunset Volcano National Monument

Today's goal was to rack up as many points as possible for the Pic Your Park contest. I mean... to see our great United States! Before we could embark on our journey, we made a pit stop to place a $10 bet that the Phillies will win the 2018 World Series. Here's hoping! First, we explored Lake Mead National Recreation Area and attempted to visit the Hoover Dam. I refused to pay for parking, so we continued on our way. Next stop was Walnut Canyon, which unfortunately was closed when we arrived, but that didn't stop us from taking a picture and collecting those sweet, sweet points. We jumped back in the car and headed to Sunset Crater National Monument. This was one park that we would not have visited if it weren't for the contest, but I am so glad that we did. We had a great time exploring this desserted park and enjoyed a thunderstorm off in the distance. We ended the day at Wupatki National Monument. As dusk was setting in, so was that thunderstorm that we were admiring at a distance. We had to make this visit short, but we definitely enjoyed the views!

Lake Mead National Recreation Area 
More Lake Mead
Love me a scenic drive
Field of Cinders
Peep that lava flow
There she is!
How do rabbits travel? By hareplane.
Trying to beat the storm to Wupatki National Monument
We might be stormchasers 
Citadel and Nalakihu Trail
On the road again
 Day 27 Rating: Didn't get struck by lightning 10/10