Today, we got to Carlsbad Caverns early as we had no reservations for a guided tour.
The caverns are 750 feet below ground and can be reached by 2 ways. Start from the Natural entrance and start down for 1.25 miles on a 20% grade. The alternate way was an elevator ride.
We chose the elevator ride because there wasn't enough time to walk down for a 9 am tour. Once down to the bottom we met Dan and then on to the King's Palace. For those who have explored parks, there is a tendency to see a group of rocks that have been given a name.
We have had very good luck. Our Guide Dan has worked with the National Parks Service and has a degree in Geology. Dan took the time to introduce himself, and then on with the tour.
King's palace was named after the palace setting above, and below shows the King on his throne.
Terminology for everyone. Formations developing from the ceiling are Stalactites. Easy to remember because it has a "C" in it.
Another different formation may be given a nickname. In this case, the Queens drapes.
After the tour for a 90 minutes, and the constant temperature of 56 degrees, we needed something to warm us up. No food or drink in the caverns so we had to have our coffee in the underground cafe.
The big room is about 600,000 square feet and is 1.25 miles to walk around it.
The Lions tail
Does this look like a Christmas tree?
The thin formations hanging down (still stalactites) are called straws because they are hollow and form at the top and extend down. Water drips down from the inside.
The Dragon
In 1924, The only way down into the caverns was by ladder. This one has been there since.
Three years ago, the lighting was changed to the LED style of lighting. More than 1000 lights and 19 miles of wiring was put in to replace the old style of lights. The LED lights were designed to keep the caves natural colors.
This was a horizontal formation that was created by the dissolving of certain kinds of rock within the layers.
The dripping of water that had Carbonic Acid in it created holes down
through the Gypsum.
Formations that were wider than others were created when a greater supply of drips splattered and ran down the sides.
The Natural Entrance to the cave that has a 20% grade over a mile in length. Instead of doung things the easy way, we took the elevator down because we wouldn’t have made the tour by 9. That left us with the option of going back up the walkway, and that we did.
On a normal day like today, the entrance has Cave Swallows flying around. At dusk, the bats start to fly out is search of their evening meal. They number in the thousands. Since the bats have not migrated to Carlsbad from the south, this picture of a poster in the visitor’s center will help you to see what happens. Even if we were to be able to be there on the right day, at the right time, no pictures or video is permitted.
We spent
most of the day there and it was a wonderful experience. Thanks to everyone keeping up on Grammie's whereabouts.
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