I still have one hour to post for SPS, I decided to post a photo from each of the national parks/monuments we traveled to directly before the wedding.
We left Texas early in the morning, because I woke up at 2 am ready to roll on out. So we got to the campground in Carlsbad New Mexico early in the afternoon. After 5th wheel set up and some food we decided to go to Guadalupe Mts NP. We did a couple short trails then headed back home. The next morning we were up early and were part of the rush to be first to go down into Carlsbad Caverns NP. We choose to go in the natural entrance which drops 740 feet in a mile and a quarter. Then we hiked around the big room, and used the elevators to head up to the
visitors center.
We made it to camp before noon, packed up in record time and drove to our next stop in Alamogordo NM. We spent two nights in a wonderful campground just outside town. We made it in time to hit White Sands NM for sunset. Then we got up early and made it there the next morning just after sunrise. I must say, it is an amazing park.
The next day, still being sore from Carlsbad, we decided to do a smaller scenic loop of the area near Alamogordo. North of town we stopped for Three Rivers Petroglyph area. We made it to the top of the ridge line and enjoyed many amazing petroglyphs along the way. This was an unplanned part of the trip, and it was a tiny little area, a jewel few people know about. We found it by the red dot on my atlas! There were no visitor brochures to be had! We also stopped by Valley of Fires State Park. (no photo)
The new morning we packed up and headed to Albuquerque NM for the last campground. The next morning, off to Petroglyph NM. Three days before the wedding, we were hiking to the top of a mesa to find some very cool petroglyphs. It was the last stop on our short but exciting trip back to Colorado Springs.
I first heard about Bishop's Castle my first few days in Colorado, apparently it is quite the local attraction. It wasn't until over a year later that I finally made it there. This castle has been built by one man, he started the project for his family, and it has turned into a massive non profit local landmark. He digs up all the rock himself, does all the ironwork, and literally does not have help. He states he works on it everyday, and it remains a free outing for families. You can climb up all the towers and walk in to any room in the castle. The detail work is incredible! I made it half way up one tower before I had to stop, the ironwork can be a little shaky when walked on and the height made it hard for me to continue. I think I am becoming more cautious in my old age. The husband went all the way to the top of the large iron dome, and said it swayed quite a bit and upon hearing that, I knew I would not like it so much.
Saw this little guy before entering the cave.
Walking down through the natural entrance.
About a week before our wedding in March, we traveled to Carlsbad Caverns NP. We walked down through the natural entrance and then explored the great room. Taking photos is pretty hard in a dark, moist environment. I found the closer I was to features, the easier they were to shoot. So enjoy some close up features. I would highly recommend this cave to anyone. It is very different from Mammoth Cave, has much much unique features, and is somewhat easier to navigate. I would recommend walking downhill through the natural entrance, however they do have an elevator at the visitor's center that goes down and even has some wheelchair appropriate trails.
Grandma and Grandpa sent the kids a birthday toy. They loved it, played with it, and destroyed it in about 10 minutes. Our pups are finally dogs, which is hard for me to accept, because it does not seem like a year already. I guess the saying is true, enjoy them when they are young, because they grow up fast.
On the great father's day adventure to Rocky Mountain National Park, we were lucky enough to see several types of animals. Just finally got around to posting them!
He can climb mountains.....
And without breaking a sweat!
Just for the record, I didn't do this to them, they were like this before I met them!
We recently discovered that our little Molly is a very athletic girl. We have an old basketball that we use to play soccer with the dogs. She will leap really high to get the ball before her brother. They both love to chase it, and now have started doing flips mid-air to get the ball. It is quite entertaining. It is their new favorite game!
Wearing the appropriate gear!
Drinking the appropriate drinks!
Kissing my maid of honor, who had a hand in the appropriate gear.
Explaining to the boys, it was time to go.
Further explanation about how tired I was...with some posing for emphasis!
Our pups LOVE snow! We had two snow storms in the past few weeks, and they did not want to come in, and we didn't want them to, because when they did come in, they were soaking wet.
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