Carlsbad, NM!

Last stop on our NM vacation, Carlsbad. I had been there as a child and have very fond memories of it, so I really wanted the boys to have the chance to see it. It didn't dissapoint us one bit. The boys loved the cave tours and wanted more, but unfortunately we didn't have time to do the more advanced tours. We took the hike down at the mouth of the cave. It was beautiful and so breathtaking. Quite something to think of the first guy who ventured into the cave with only a small oil lamp to light his way. After we got down to the level where the restrooms were and the small cafe, we took the King's Palace tour. That was my favorite part of the trip. I just wish I had a better camera with me. It was hard to get good pictures. We also took the self-guided tour of the big room. Just an amazing experience all the way around. :)

The next day, we took the boys on a short hike to see a waterfall called Sitting Bull Falls. It was beautiful and the boys loved swimming in the swimming hole at the bottom of the falls. They climbed up the waterfall face a short distant and posed for some good pictures. :)

The last day before we left, we took the entrance cave hike down again, but this time we went slower since we didn't have to get to the bottom before the King Palace Tour started. Unfortunately, one of the cave swallows (the nasty birds that fly around the entrance of the cave) pooped on my head. Nasty! Luckily Jimmy had some baby wipes and cleaned my hair for me. Other than that, the hike down was wonderful. We really enjoyed using Jimmy's LED flashlight to peer into dark crevices along the way down to the bottom.

I know I mentioned in an earlier post about the hotel I found in Carlsbad and how excited I was to stay in it....well....it was just as I hoped it would be. :) The hotel was luxurious, comfortable, warm and inviting. The old details of the century old building were a delight to see all around us. I found out the man who killed Billy the Kid had an office in the building at one time. Lots of interesting history associated with the building. :) The hotel had a really nice restaurant on the first floor. As part of our stay at the hotel, we were able to order anything off the menu for breakfast and it was free. Jimmy and the boys enjoyed everything from steak and eggs, monte cristo, french toast and pancakes. I loved the oatmeal and yogurt with fruit. It was a really nice way to start each day we spent in Carlsbad. :)

Next post will be about our time at the Lake when we stayed with Jimmy's Dad. Lots of good pics of the boys on a big tube being pulled behind a boat!

Awwwwww.....Summer fun!