I'm an adventurous soul on a mission to explore all 63 national parks. My passion lies in crafting short stories and sharing personal photographs that capture the essence of these remarkable journeys. Through my words and images, I strive to convey...
When Tim asked if I was interested in going on an antelope hunt, I immediately said yes! Neither of us had done it before, and I was excited to try something new. My first question was about the location. When he mentioned New Mexico, I started thinking about what else we could do there. After finding out exactly where we'd be hunting, I did some research.
I discovered that if we flew into El Paso before the hunt, we could visit two National Parks: Carlsbad Caverns and Guadalupe Mountains. I had always wanted to see the bats at Carlsbad Caverns, so I was thrilled at the chance to explore it.
Carlsbad Caverns is known for its bat population, primarily Brazilian free-tailed bats. These bats migrate to the caverns in the summer to raise their young. Each evening, from late spring to early fall, the bats exit the cave in a massive, swirling cloud to feed on insects. Watching hundreds of thousands of bats emerge at dusk from the bat amphitheater was an incredible sight. The bats flew out in a tornado-like motion, something I'll never forget. Although we weren't allowed to take videos or pictures, which was disappointing at first, it actually made the experience better. Without the distraction of a camera, I fully immersed myself in the moment, as the warm summer air carried a distinct bat scent, adding to the sensory experience. To theme the experience, I wore my bat earrings I got from Austin, where you can also watch bats emerge at dusk from underneath the Congress Avenue Bridge as they cross Lady Bird Lake, a dammed section of the Colorado River.
The next day, we explored the cave itself. Descending into the caverns felt like stepping into another world. The cave system, formed over millions of years, contains over 119 caves with unique formations. The Big Room, the largest single cave chamber in North America, spans about 8.2 acres and is filled with stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and other formations.
Two stories that stood out during my visit were about the original explorer, Jim White, and the discovery of Halloween Hall. Jim White was the cowboy who first explored the caverns in the late 1800s, and it was amazing to see a ladder he used still in place today. His daring exploration introduced the world to these incredible caves. The second story is about two rock climbers who, on Halloween night, discovered a new passageway they fittingly named "Halloween Hall." Their discovery added another layer of mystery and adventure to Carlsbad Caverns, making it an unforgettable part of the park's history.
Exploring Carlsbad Caverns, both above and below ground, was an experience. The park was quiet, not crowded, and perfect for exploring without the buzz of people around. The natural beauty and intricate details of the caves, combined with the spectacular bat flight, made this visit one of the most memorable highlights of our trip.
Next up is our earliest wake-up call yet as we prepare to hike to the summit of Texas' highest point in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.
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