Hi, folks.
We started our day off with a visit to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. We visited CCNP a little over 12 years ago (December of 1999), and really, nothing has changed. We hiked in through the natural entrance, which I highly recommend. The cave is beautiful, and immense. Here are some photos. That’s me in the first photo, descending into the natural entrance.
The first one here is Rich in the ‘stand behind it and stick your head through’ photo op, and the second is the obligatory ‘photo with the national park sign’ picture.
After the caverns, we headed for Texas, making a stop at the Pizza Inn in Carlsbad. The pizza was great. I am glad we stopped.
We drove to Barstow, TX (just outside Pecos). It’s a ghost town with people living in it still. There are some great historic buildings. We took lots of photos, but the light wasn’t great, and the Ward County Bank was the best building. Here it is.
Intending to camp, we headed for Balmorhea, TX. We got there after dark, and it was starting to sprinkle, so we got a room at The Eleven Inn. It’s cheap, and small…but it’s an adventure, right?! On the way toward Balmorhea, we stopped to take pictures of the sunset behind the Davis mountains, and while we were parked on the side of the road, some horses came charging across a field to us, and there was no fence. They came close, but not too close, and looked us over, then galloped off.
We are here right now, and will be visiting the Balmorhea State Park in the morning. There are birds there, I’ve been told. 
Thanks for visiting and commenting!
Cave tours are always fun. I’m glad the horses didn’t get too close. (:
Lovely photo of a beautiful sunset! Are the horses wild, escapees or open range as cattle sometimes are? Glad you’re getting to see some of our huge, wonderful country.
The hosses were probably looking for a handout and you disappointed ‘em……the ghost town looks interesting……..we’ve been near the Davis mtns a couple of times. Visited historic old Ft Davis Nat’l Historic site……hope you were able to scare up a few interesting boids thereabouts……..Love, Dad
Barstow looks very interesting. The caverns look humungus. What a nice day you two had. Even wild horses to make the day complete.
Janet – I’m glad the horses didn’t get too close, too. I could have died!
Sonja (AKA ‘mom’) – I don’t know about the horse situation…they could have been loose, or just free-range. I don’t think they were wild.
Dad – We didn’t get to see any birds today, because it’s been POURING rain all day. We’re in Ft. Stockton right now, waiting for the promised ‘nice day’ that tomorrow is supposed to be. Thanks for commenting!
Aunt Marcy – Barstow was interesting. The caverns really are beautiful. They are certainly worth the time!
Lovely photos of Carlsbad. The caverns are so BEAUTIFUL, I want to take Irina there one day and those horses are purty. As for the ghost town that still has people living in it? Hm, reminds me a little of how Salina looked when I went there for a Debate tournament last year. So sad you couldn’t get pictures of some pretty birds due to the rain
I always love your birdie pictures! On a last note, funny thing about my Dad sticking his head into the ranger thing is very funny considering he used to be a ranger and I could very easily see him being one now with his passion for the outdoors.
Chris – Thanks!