Daughter and I got back from vacation night before last. We traveled a total of over 1200 miles in five days.
We went to see Carlsbad Caverns, which was the biggest destination. She loved it! You can see the main caverns in maybe 2.5 hours. We took our time and spent a grand total of 5.5 hours inside the caverns. Lots of discussions on the geology of the caves (and geology in general). We stayed in town that night and went back to see the bats launch that evening. She may have enjoyed that more than the caverns themselves.
Along the way, we went through three different forests. Also something we both seriously enjoyed. Some sights along the way which she had never before experienced, like driving through a mountain tunnel. She got to wade in two different rivers (both cleaner and more clear than the Rio Grande). The Gila and the Pecos.
Went through White Sands National Monument. Did not stay there for long. The sun reflects off the white sand, amplifying the effects of the sun. Even with hats and sunscreen, in summer it takes only 15 minutes to become sunburned there. Not to mention it is all gypsum, which absorbs all moisture from the immediate atmosphere. As a result, it probably has one of the lowest humidity levels on the planet. If negative humidity is possible, this is where you would find it.
We then went to the Gila forest and to see the Gila Cliff Dwellings. There, we had to stop for a while because of a lightning storm which came in. Even the rangers were amazed at the fact that a late June storm was dropping hail! Over 90 degrees and hail falling!
I think she enjoyed the drive to the cliff dwellings and the walk to reach them more than she liked the cliff dwellings themselves. I know she enjoyed the drive coming back out. I drove much faster coming out than going in. Note that we left late enough that I knew there was no opposing traffic at all. So, narrow, winding mountain/forest road and us in a small car with no other traffic. I took many of the curves fast enough that she had to hold on really tight, laughing and hooting the whole way! However, I never went any crazy or unsafe speed. Just fast enough to add excitement.
The next day we drove up an even more narrow (slightly more than one lane) mountain road to see an actual old west mining town, mostly deserted. Artists have activities there on weekends but we were there during the week and were happy for that. People selling stuff kind of ruins the whole "ghost town" thing. There were lots of old mining tools, ore cars, rails, etc. Some now being used as planters. (I'm not sure of the wisdom in that but it looks attractive for now.) You could see but not enter the mine, which is right on the edge of town. There were also several smaller mine entrances right in the town, boarded up or on private property.
Saw the Very Large Array on the way back.
The last forest we drove through was thin and so far from the road that it offered no shade or anything worth mentioning.
We had a couple of small mechanical issues along the way. Once the car did something it has done before. Acted like there was a fuel obstruction. Engine died and it took multiple attempts to get it going again. I think I need to drain the fuel tank completely and clean out the fuel filter. Eventually it got going again. The same thing happened like three times along the same (desert) road. Once it started running again, that problem never recurred.
The other issue was that one tire threw part of the tread. While we were on the road up to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. I changed the tire before we started back down. Turns out I may not need an alignment after all. So that would have been wasted money. Hmm. Karma? So, that tire must have been having issues for a while but it was not visible. Even when it did throw the tread, it was holding air (still is, in the trunk) and we had driven at least 600 miles on it at that point in the trip.
We had some small health issues along the way but nothing that stopped us. She had some ear problems. Went to the doctor yesterday and it turned out to be swimmer's ear. Doc says she has very narrow ear canals. No infection. I pulled a muscle in my calf which slowed me down a bit and got gluten contamination at a diner on the last push home. Knew I should have skipped those fries. Been paying for that mistake for two days now. Oh, well. We haven't done much of anything since getting home, just recovering.
We went to see Carlsbad Caverns, which was the biggest destination. She loved it! You can see the main caverns in maybe 2.5 hours. We took our time and spent a grand total of 5.5 hours inside the caverns. Lots of discussions on the geology of the caves (and geology in general). We stayed in town that night and went back to see the bats launch that evening. She may have enjoyed that more than the caverns themselves.
Along the way, we went through three different forests. Also something we both seriously enjoyed. Some sights along the way which she had never before experienced, like driving through a mountain tunnel. She got to wade in two different rivers (both cleaner and more clear than the Rio Grande). The Gila and the Pecos.
Went through White Sands National Monument. Did not stay there for long. The sun reflects off the white sand, amplifying the effects of the sun. Even with hats and sunscreen, in summer it takes only 15 minutes to become sunburned there. Not to mention it is all gypsum, which absorbs all moisture from the immediate atmosphere. As a result, it probably has one of the lowest humidity levels on the planet. If negative humidity is possible, this is where you would find it.
We then went to the Gila forest and to see the Gila Cliff Dwellings. There, we had to stop for a while because of a lightning storm which came in. Even the rangers were amazed at the fact that a late June storm was dropping hail! Over 90 degrees and hail falling!
I think she enjoyed the drive to the cliff dwellings and the walk to reach them more than she liked the cliff dwellings themselves. I know she enjoyed the drive coming back out. I drove much faster coming out than going in. Note that we left late enough that I knew there was no opposing traffic at all. So, narrow, winding mountain/forest road and us in a small car with no other traffic. I took many of the curves fast enough that she had to hold on really tight, laughing and hooting the whole way! However, I never went any crazy or unsafe speed. Just fast enough to add excitement.
The next day we drove up an even more narrow (slightly more than one lane) mountain road to see an actual old west mining town, mostly deserted. Artists have activities there on weekends but we were there during the week and were happy for that. People selling stuff kind of ruins the whole "ghost town" thing. There were lots of old mining tools, ore cars, rails, etc. Some now being used as planters. (I'm not sure of the wisdom in that but it looks attractive for now.) You could see but not enter the mine, which is right on the edge of town. There were also several smaller mine entrances right in the town, boarded up or on private property.
Saw the Very Large Array on the way back.
The last forest we drove through was thin and so far from the road that it offered no shade or anything worth mentioning.
We had a couple of small mechanical issues along the way. Once the car did something it has done before. Acted like there was a fuel obstruction. Engine died and it took multiple attempts to get it going again. I think I need to drain the fuel tank completely and clean out the fuel filter. Eventually it got going again. The same thing happened like three times along the same (desert) road. Once it started running again, that problem never recurred.
The other issue was that one tire threw part of the tread. While we were on the road up to the Gila Cliff Dwellings. I changed the tire before we started back down. Turns out I may not need an alignment after all. So that would have been wasted money. Hmm. Karma? So, that tire must have been having issues for a while but it was not visible. Even when it did throw the tread, it was holding air (still is, in the trunk) and we had driven at least 600 miles on it at that point in the trip.
We had some small health issues along the way but nothing that stopped us. She had some ear problems. Went to the doctor yesterday and it turned out to be swimmer's ear. Doc says she has very narrow ear canals. No infection. I pulled a muscle in my calf which slowed me down a bit and got gluten contamination at a diner on the last push home. Knew I should have skipped those fries. Been paying for that mistake for two days now. Oh, well. We haven't done much of anything since getting home, just recovering.
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