Introduction
Map
Mojave Desert
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Colorado Plateau
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
Day 12
Day 13
Day 14
Day 15
Sonoran Desert
Day 16
Day 17
Day 18
Day 19
Day 20
Day 21
Painted Desert
Day 22
Day 23
New Mexico
Day 24
Day 25
Day 26
Day 27
Day 28
Day 29
Day 30
Chihuahuan Desert
Day 31
Day 32
Day 33
Day 34
Day 35
Day 36
Texas
Day 37
Day 38
Day 39
Day 40
Day 41
Day 42
Day 34: Carlsbad
Monday, April 15, 1996
4810 miles
32° 23' 59" N / 104° 13' 22" W
We awake to the sound of the alarm clock. What a difference to the songs of birds and the rising sun. But, we want to be at the Carlsbad Caverns in time for when they open and so what the heck.
The scenery continues to be boring until we wind into the Guadalupe Mountains to the entrance of the caves. This park is extremely well developed and one can only imagine what sort of crowds it attracts.
The trail leads into the cave through a big hole in the ground and then descends 750 feet within a mile. This is really impressive and gives a very good feeling for the proportions of this thing. Once down and inside, the trail loops around the Big Room for another mile or so. The Big Room is just what its name implies, and is dotted with many bizarre looking rock formations. I especially like the "drapings" which are created when water runs along the curved surface of the cave ceiling.
Back above ground, we continue our journey South. Pretty soon we reach Guadalupe Mountains National Park, but unfortunately we only have time for a quick stop at the visitor center as we still have quite some way to go. From what we see however, the park looks interesting enough to explore it closer if we ever happen to venture into this area again.
After that, it's further South until we reach the Mexican border. By now we have traversed some of the most desolate country I have ever seen, and I am amazed again about how much land there is just lying around, minding its own business.
At the border we reach the valley of the Rio Grande which cuts like a green ribbon through the red-brownish desert and mountain ranges. The road turns East here and follows the Rio Grande along this very scenic part of its course. After a while we turn back inland again and soon enter Big Bend National Park. We pass below the Chisos Mountains and then dramatically drop back down to the Rio Grande.
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| Sunset over Rio Grande and Chisos Mountains | ||
The sun is low now and casts a wonderful light onto the scene. We arrive at the campsite on the river bank just around sunset, whip out the tent and then go for a stroll along the river. There is a very peaceful atmosphere about this place and we immediately like it and feel comfortable.
As I write this, I sit at the table under tall trees whispering in a warm breeze. The grasshoppers are chirping, the bats are having dinner and through the shilouette of the trees I can see the starry sky. I am a happy camper.
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| Night sky from the banks of the Rio Grande | ||