We wrapped up our time in New Mexico exploring Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The entrance to the caverns looks innocent enough, but for those who are claustrophobic, it is intimidating.
The walk in seemed like it took forever, and we were grateful the path was paved and fairly well lit. Our task was to make it to the trail head in time to join our guided tour. Halfway down, anxiety took over, panic set in, and I realized this was not an adventure for me.
Ugh. Was I going to trek back out on my own? No way. Was I going to make hubby abandon an experience he was excited about having? That wouldn’t have been fair. After some deep breaths, we forged on, barely making it to our meeting point on time. This was about when we noticed the elevator, which would’ve been a better option, had we known it was available.
The tour was amazing, even with my eyes closed as much as they were. Our guide told us a story about how the original explorer lost his light while in there, and he turned off all the lights while telling us this story, so we could get a feel for what that might have been like. It was hard to imagine the man who discovered these caverns did so with a small lantern, let alone keeping his cool when he had to get his light going again in the pitch black darkness. It is easy to admire that kind of sense of adventure, but that doesn’t mean we’re ready for anything of that scale anytime soon.
We made it out intact, happy to be in the sun, and didn’t mind the gusting winds.
Highly recommend this one for anyone who is comfortable with caves, tunnels, and not seeing daylight for hours.
Traveling Team Fischer 