Carlsbad Caverns National Park

We visited Carlsbad Caverns National Park in southern New Mexico:

The road to the visitor center:

We had a reservation for a ranger-led tour, so after checking in, we had a picnic lunch:

Back to the visitor center:

Bat artwork in the foyer:

The ticketing area:

There are two ways down to the caverns: elevators, or the natural entrance. This time, we took the elevators. They lead to the underground rest stop, with food, swag, and bathrooms:

We joined the ranger for our guided tour:

He was a bit of a character, with multiple philosophy degrees. That definitely showed in his talks, with discussions of paradoxes and raising questions about the caverns.

The tour we went on was the King’s Palace tour (the only one offered currently). It gives access to caverns not open to the general public, via this gate:

Heading down:

Stalactites:

The King’s Palace room:

The ranger passed around an old photo showing the room (sorry, not a great shot of it):

Through a tunnel to the next room:

The Papoose Room:

The Queen’s Chamber:

An actively dripping column; the ranger turned out the lights and we sat by this in total darkness for a few minutes, just listening to the dripping of the water:

A fossilized bat:

Telephone:

Back to King’s Palace, on the other side:

Green Lake (a small pool):

Heading up some stairs:

The end of the tour at the exit gate:

Looking down:

Old stairs:

Swiss cheese:

New York Skyline:

Info sign:

Back at the underground rest stop:

Rest stop shop:

Restrooms:

Another map:

Exit to elevators:

Elevators:

Heading up from 750 feet underground:

The elevators debouch into the gift store, of course:

An impressive 3D map of the caverns:

Jenn just hanging around:

Another gift shop and restaurant:

Gotta have her pressed penny:

Back outside the visitor center: