Carlsbad Caverns and Beyond

Day 6:  We were up super early to finish laundry, pack, and hitch the camper before the sun started roasting.  The boys got some more Hayden play time, and we had a super yummy lunch at La Riviera, then pulled out.  We only had a short 175 mile drive today, and were greeted at the Carlsbad RV by our besties, the Biscamp's!!!!  This trip was 3 years in the making and I cannot believe it's finally here!  The temp was a scortching 110 degrees.  So the boys and I immediately set out to find the indoor pool.  

After an hour swim, we were cooled off and ready to grill burgers...New Mexican style with Hatch Green Chilis and avocado!  Yum!!!!!  Once we were filled with burgers, beans, and beer, we set off the experience the Bat Flight.

Carson was only 3 the last time we saw the bats and he didn't remember them, but he wasn't as impressed as the rest of us.  Curtis and I were so thankful to be in the National Park with our friends, and we're so excited about our two weeks of National Park fun we have scheduled.  Tomorrow, we're hitting the caves at sunrise!

Day 7:  We loaded up the trucks at 7:30am to hit the Visitor Center and be the first ones in the cave!

I failed to mention that it was 45 mph gusts outside.  The winds almost blew Carson off the path, but when we got inside the cave it was a calm, cool 55 degrees....aaah!

The boys were super excited about our splunking adventure we were about to embark on, and I was SO excited to be traveling with my BFF!

We hiked the natural entrance down, then all around the Big Room exploring all the stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and mineral pools.

4.4 miles!   What a way to kick off our first real hike of the summer!

We completed our trip to the Caverns with a Junior Ranger badge for Carson since he was too little to earn one the last time we visited Carlsbad.

We cruised back down the hill, fixed a quick lunch at the Free "Lance"ers, hitched up and set off on our next adventure to Albuquerque!

Fast forward 300 miles and a pit stop at the Roswell Space Ship McDonalds....

We arrived at the Albuquerque KOA just in time for happy hour!

So much fun!!!!!!!!  For our Father's Day treat to the boys, we saught out THE BEST New Mexican restaurant we could find....El Pinto!  This is my favorite salsa to buy back in Frisco, so I knew the restaurant would not disappoint.  We dined on Red Chili Ribs, Hatch Chili Fries, Chips, salsa, sopapillas, and New Mexican yumminesd!  Melissa even tried her first chili relleno and LOVED it!

What a special treat for our special Daddys!

We ended our glorious day with the most beautiful sunset, and I knew that my amazing Daddy was with us the whole time....toasting his giant Dickey's cup of Jack and Diet Coke way up in the pearly gates....to safe travels with family and friends and creating life long memories.  I love you, Daddy!  Happy Father's Day!