Antique Lilac
  • Home
  • for Sale
  • Galleries
  • Favourite Photos
  • Tutorials
  • Blog
  • Links
  • Books

Carlsbad Caverns

11/16/2014

7 Comments

 
Our final destination was Carlsbad Caverns, a subterranean wonder on the edge of the Guadalupe Mountains in the very southern tip of New Mexico. The cave was discovered by a cowboy, Jim White, almost 100 years ago. He thought he saw smoke in the distance, and when he went to investigate, it turned out to be millions of bats leaving the mouth of a giant cave. At first no one would believe the caves were everything White said they were, but after showing photos to Congress, in 1930 it was proclaimed a National Monument, and became one of the most famous caves in the world. In 1995 it was designated a World Heritage site.
Picture
the Natural Entrance
What surprised me most the very first time we visited, was that the cave entrance is in the top of the mountains, so one has to drive seven miles up a winding mountain road to reach it.

The most spectacular way to see the caves, is to descend through the Natural Entrance trail down to the main cave complex, then take one or more of the mile long tours down below. But it's a steep mile long trail, descending 800' down into the earth. My feet have a 2 kilometre limit, and the steep downhill slope is far too difficult on my knees, so I decided it was best for me to save my feet and just take the mile long Big Room Tour - which is accessible by elevator. Yes, an elevator! Back in the 30's they drilled an elevator shaft down to the main cave complex. I doubt the Park Service would do such a thing in this day and age, but I'm grateful they added one back then.  So Jan took the Natural Entrance trail by himself, while I entertained myself in the RV. 
Picture
The trail switchbacks down into the mouth of the cave
Picture
After lunch, we both went down the elevator to take the Big Room self-guided Tour. 

Most of the cave photos were taken by Jan with his small point-and-shoot camera. He had greater success with it in the low light than I did with my Canon Rebel. Even with flash.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
It's hard to tell scale from the photos, but the cave formations are gigantic. People are kept well back so as not to touch the formations, which are very dimly lit. The photos are misleading, since they were taken by flash.  Personally I'd have liked a bit more light to more fully appreciate the rock formations, but the Park service wants to keep it as "natural" an experience as possible, so lighting is kept to a bare minimum, with hand railings on both sides of the winding trail to help guide people through the caves. Children must stay within arms reach of their parents at all times 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
*Note:  Efreet and Bonnie only got to explore the displays in the Visitor Center, which is where I photographed them - we did not take them down into the cave.  Which proved to have been a smart move.  The cave was so dimly lit, that photography was almost impossible. I don't see well in low light, and with humidity over 90%, my glasses would fog up instantly, so I had to do without them - not that it made much difference in the dark. By the time we finished the tour, my hair was drenched and I felt like a 'drowned rat'.  I was so glad we hadn't taken any dolls along.

Well, this is finally the end of my doll's adventures on our Fall Trip. I can't believe how many photos of them I took. It's probably because of my decision to take a group of contemporary dolls along - after all, they can be photographed almost anywhere.  I'll have to do that again.

We visited many fabulous places, and experienced some spectacular wilderness scenery. 

I was touched by a quote on the cover of the Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Guide.....
Forever Wild...
"If future generations are to remember us with gratitude rather than contempt, we must leave them something more than the miracles of technology. We must leave them a glimpse of the world as it was in the beginning, not just after we got through with it." - President Lyndon B. Johnson
7 Comments
Donna
11/17/2014 12:37:16 am

What an awesome place! The photos with the flash seem add to the deep-in-the-underworld atmosphere.

I'm glad there is an elevator, so you were able to enjoy the main cave complex without the steep descent and return climb. 90% humidity... that's practically rain!

Reply
Martha
11/17/2014 01:36:51 am

LOL No wonder I got soaked!

It truly is an awesome place, and I'm so glad there's an elevator. For decent photos one should really take a tripod, but it just seemed too much of a hassle.

Reply
Brigitte
11/17/2014 03:20:42 am

The Cavern looks awesome. I visited a flowstone cave years ago and i know, how breathtaking they are. I felt very small in front of the gigantic chalk formations.

Reply
Martha
11/17/2014 11:11:05 pm

It certainly is an experience to be deep inside a cave like this!

Reply
Tracy link
11/17/2014 07:36:53 am

Your photos are amazing! I would not have guessed that Efreet and Bonnie were not with you in the caves if you had not shared that information. Enjoyable information and entry!

Reply
Martha
11/17/2014 11:13:29 pm

It would have been impossible to take photos of the dolls in the actual caves. The light is so low, that even flash isn't enough. Plus, the formations are huge and well out of reach. So the dolls would just have been totally washed out against a black background. So when I saw all the interesting displays in the Visitor Center, I thought I'd just take photos there.

Reply
Jane
11/18/2014 06:04:55 am

Thank you SO much for sharing this extravaganza of a holiday trip here. I have loved each and every photo and I have so enjoyed seeing all the places you visited.

A modern family was a brilliant idea!

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Martha Boers is an award-winning Canadian doll maker and costumer specializing in fantasy and historical-style costumes.
    Read More... 

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.