Leaving Carlsbad

We left Carlsbad New Mexico this morning with a big Thank You to the National Park Services and a sigh of relief. After all, Carlsbad is pretty far from the civilization of Interstate Hotels and rest areas!

Carlsbad Caverns and the Chihuahuan Desert

Today's tour of Carlsbad Caverns was awesome! Our camera just did not capture the hugeness and beauty of the cavern, so we got the DVD and we will share.

Next we went to the historical Society Museum to study the time line of this part of the country. The picture to the right shows an actual stage coach from the overland mail trips. This coach was used in the rougher parts of the wilderness and slept 6-9, "depending on size"

The temperatures in the desert are also incredible! It was 45 degrees when we got up this morning and it's 96 now.

The Pecos River runs right through the city of Carlsbad, and there is a very nice park with boating, swimming and picnicing.

I was surprised to find water sports in the middle of the desert!

So that's it for today. We're off to find some dinner. Later......

Cowboys and Comanche's

Good Evening! What a fantastic drive we've had today! Cruising down the highway at 80+ (that's the speed limit on the x press way -- it's 75 on the two lane roads) in our comfy coach with the horses under the hood! We were imagining what it would be like to travel the same distance in a covered wagon or stage coach with the horses (or oxen) pulling outside the coach and no air conditioning and robbers and Indians and all of that past drama. We went through towns you would read about in a Zane Grey novel or see on an old western movie -- like Sonora, Pecos, Fort Stockton -- and we could imagine the cowboys and the cavalry fighting the Indians. The picture is from Fort Stockton - they told us it's the largest roadrunner statue in the world. (PS - the pictures will enlarge if you click on them.) We did see a real roadrunner, but he travelled so fast I was unable to get all of him at once.

We also went to the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. It was lovely.

Here is a picture of a yucca plant in full bloom.

Tomorrow we go to Carlsbad Caverns.
Have a good one!

Well, we've been driving all day and it's still 557 miles to the


western edge of Texas!


Greg--you will be happy to know that Baton Rouge is just as pretty now as it was when you were there.


What a big state it is! In Texas they don't cut the grass along the side of the road -- they plant wild flowers. Elsie, you would have to get out your wild flower book! There are beautiful flowers of all colors. this picture does not do them justice.









We are now in San Antonio and once we got out of the rain and smoke of New Orleans it's been a beautiful, if boring days ride.


The really nice part of the day was a really good Mexican dinner
and a dip in the pool and hot tub.


Tomorrow it's off to Carlsbad to see the Caverns.

Smokey Haze over Naw-Lins....

This is the New Orleans skyline. The haze is smoke from the oil rig accident. The people here are very worried that the impact from this willl be far greater than Katrina. We know it smells funny and we have not needed sun glasses.

Love to all--tomorrow on to Texas.......

The Monteleone Hotel

Hi there! This is the two of us at the Monteleone Hotel's Carousel Bar. The bar is decorated like a Carousel and actually goes around. This is the hotel where we stayed for our Honeymoon, and we had a great time again today. The lobby is to the right and it looks the same.

The difference is that the rooms cost $69 dollars in 1980 and $299 now!

Have Mugs -- Will Travel!!!!!