Mary's Travel Guide

Mary's Travel Guide With Mary Dunn

Carlsbad Caverns Here we are in the midst of spring with summer just around the corner. The spring flowers are in bloom and as I look out the kitchen window, I spot the tulips as they break through the ground and the shrubs begin to turn green. Some of the trees are blooming with lovely colorful blossoms. One of the most touching times for me is to observe the circle of life with the change of seasons. Those changes bring new life renew me in my spiritual walk because I witness the new life as a gift God has given to us in his plan for our lives. Seeing each new bud and each new bloom provides the realization that someone far greater than me created this beauty. In my travels, I am always amazed at the beauty of each destination. From the formations of a mountain, the beauty of a rainbow, and how animals inhabitant a specific area, it amazes me how they adapt to their surroundings so effortlessly without question. It is interesting how those inhabitants have the instinct to survive without harming the land in which they live. There is beauty all around us which is sometimes difficult for us to appreciate because of the many stresses of daily living. Take time to enjoy beautiful moments such as a tulip pushing through the surface of the spring ground. Thank God for his creation because it was given to you because of love. This month, as we head into summer, there are many great destinations in the United States and abroad that we could travel and explore. However, this month, choosing a destination was somewhat difficult for me. Because I have been to a few wonderful areas within the US , I really haven't explored the country as I would like to. Therefore, I posed a question to some of my readers asking where they would enjoy vacationing for this months travel. I had several great responses and one especially stood out for me because I have never been there and because I couldn't think of a better destination that elaborated on the creative forms of God's work in the creation of our earth than in the suggestion of Carlsbad Caverns. Carlsbad Caverns is located in the Carlsbad Caverns National Park in the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico. It is one of the most spectacular cave systems in the world and comprises more than 100 known caves. The Caverns were designated as a National Monument in October, 1923. However, it was redesignated a National Park in May, 1930 and as a World Heritage Site in December 1995. As a National Park, Carlsbad Cavern and numerous other caves within a Permian-age fossil reef can be preserved because the government has control over the area. This way, no harm can come to the area through pollution or human development. The park contains 83 separate caves, including the nation's deepest limestone cave - 1,597 feet (486.8 m) - and third longest. According to Frommers.com , formations of stalactites, stalagmites and an incredible variety of other formations began some 250 million years ago when a huge inland sea covered this region. Then, about 20 million years ago, a reef that was once undersea moved upwards. With that movement, thousands of feet of sediment broke free. As tectonic forces pushed the buried rock up, erosion wore away softer minerals, thus forming the Guadalupe Mountains . Brine from the gas and oil deposits mingled with rainwater, creating sulfuric acid that dissolved limestone and created cave passages. Once the caves were hollowed out, God took on the artistic nature which decorated rooms with a vast variety of fanciful formations. As the water dripped down through the rock into the caves, slowly dissolving limestone, the water absorbed the calcite and other materials on its journey. Remember that the formations began during a time when the climate was cooler and wetter. Each drop of water that dripped subsequently deposited a tiny load of calcite which gradually created the formations seen today. Eventually, carbon dioxide escaped into the cave air. No longer able to hold the dissolved calcite, the water drops deposited its tiny mineral load as a crystal of calcite. Billions and billions of drops later, thousands of cave formations had taken shape. And, oh my, what miraculous shapes they took! Where water dripped slowly from the ceiling, soda straws and larger stalactites appeared. Water falling on the floor created stalagmites. Sometimes a stalactite and stalagmite joined, forming a column. Some of the more unusual formations to occur in Carlsbad Cavern are helictites, which grow seemingly without regard to gravity . It is quite interesting how their twisting shapes are governed by crystal shapes, impurities and the force of water under pressure. Other rare formations are those composed not of calcite, but of aragonite, a mineral chemically identical to calcite but with a different crystal structure. These formations tend to be small, delicate and needle-like . Carlsbad Cavern, with one of the world's largest underground chambers with countless formations, is also highly accessible, and for that reason, a variety of tours are offered year round. Wikipedia points out that “ peak visitation typically occurs on the weekends following Memorial Day and the 4th of July. The park entrance is located on US Highway 62/180 approximately 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Carlsbad , New Mexico . One of the most surprising and most popular visitors (about 300,000) to the caverns during the summer months is the Mexican free-tailed bat which hangs from the ceiling of the Bat Cave during the day. However, during the evening, the bats put on a spectacular show as they leave the cave in search of food and again in the morning when they return for a good day's sleep. If you are inclined to view the bat flight, more information can be reviewed online at www.nps.gov/cave . Called the “night flight”, the Mexican Free-tail bat begins with a few bats fluttering out of the entrance of Carlsbad Cavern. In a matter of Minutes, a thick whirlwind of bats spirals out of the cave up into the darkening night sky. The exodus can last anywhere from 20 minutes and up to two hours. Interestingly enough, the bats move in a serpentine fashion towards the southeast to feed in the Pecos and Black River Valleys . The bats will eat moths and other insects filling several stomachs full a single night. As dawn approaches, the bats begin flying back to the cave individually or in small groups. They reenter the cave in a way that is as remarkable as their mass departure. The bat positions itself high above the cave entrance and folds its wings close to its body. There the bat remains until it is time for the nightly exodus. How to Get to Carlsbad Caverns National Park If you decide to drive to Carlsbad Caverns via the southeastern side of New Mexico , accessibility is best by US 62/180 from either Carlsbad , New Mexico or El Paso Texas . In southeastern New Mexico , Carlsbad Caverns is accessible by way of US 62/180 from either Carlsbad , New Mexico (23 miles to the northeast) or El Paso , Texas (150 miles to the west). A scenic 7-mile entrance road leads from the park gate at Whites City to the visitor center and cavern entrance. Recommended Scenic Routes Near Carlsbad Caverns National Park If you decide to drive, you might want to take the scenic route to the National Park. One of the most interesting ways to go is via the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway which is an 84-mile historical route that pays tribute to the infamous "Wild West" outlaw as well as several other western icons that will additionally include Smokey the Bear. The route winds through the rugged beauty of the million-acre Lincoln National Forest . Points of interest that you certainly will want to visit include the Hubbard Museum of the American West, Fort Stanton , Lincoln State Monument , and the Smokey Bear Museum and Park. If you are traveling south from Albuquerque , you can take I-25 south to US 380 just south of Socorro, then US 380 east to Capitan. This is the northern entrance to the byway, which also includes sections of US 70, and Highway 48. The byway takes about two hours to drive. Visitor Information For more information about the park, contact Carlsbad Caverns National Park, 3225 National Parks Highway, Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220 or by phone at 800-967-CAVE for tour reservations. Additionally, the park has a visitor center that displays the history and geology of the caverns, bats and other wildlife found within the caverns. While there, you can get information about the tours that are available as well as the other park activities both above and below ground. Admission to the visitor center and aboveground sections of the park is free. The basic cavern entry fee, which is good for 3 days and includes self-guided tours of the Natural Entrance and Big Room, is $6 for adults and free for children younger than 16. Frommers points out that holders of Golden Eagle, Golden Age, Golden Access, and National Parks passes, plus their immediate families are admitted free. For general admission to the cave, you will need an admission ticket, and in addition to that, there are tour fees for all guided cave tours except those to Slaughter Canyon and Spider Cave . Reservations are required for all guided tours. Once again if you hold a Golden Age and Golden Access passport, you will receive a 50% discount on tours. The King's Palace guided tour costs $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 6 to 15, and it is free for children between the ages of 4-5 if accompanied by an adult. However, younger children are not permitted on the tours. Guided tours to Left Hand Tunnel are limited to children 6 and older. That tour ranges from $7 for adults and $3.50 for children 6 to 15. Guided tours to the Spider Cave , Lower Cave and Hall of the White Giant are limited to those 12 and older. The cost for that tour ranges from $20 for adults and $10 for youths 12 to 15. Slaughter Canyon Cave tours are limited to those 6 and older and costs $15 for adults and $7.50 for children 6 to 15. You can make reservations for cave tours in advance. My suggestion is to plan ahead for a tour of the caves which can be done by phone (800-967-Cave) or online at http://reservations.nps.gov . You can actually plan a tour up to three months in advance. A few important notes to follow while in the caves requires a little common sense. Damaging the cave formations in any way is prohibited. Some people do not understand that they should not even touch the formations, walls, or ceilings. The features in the caves are very delicate and easily broken. Besides the delicate nature of the cave, skin oil will discolor the rock and disturb the mineral deposits that are necessary for growth. Tobacco is prohibited underground and food, drinks, candy and chewing gum are a definite no. Cave explorers should wear flat shoes with rubber soles and heels because the paths may be slippery. If you are younger than 16, you must remain with a parent or adult at all times. In the event that you are taking a smaller child, strollers are prohibited; however, you can use a child backpack. One note of caution here; the ceilings are low in some areas, so beware of that along the pathways. If you are interested in the bat flight during the evening, no photographs can be taken unless you have a special permit. When to Go As most of us plan vacations during the summer months, going to Carlsbad Caverns during this time of the year can be quite warm. High temps often reach and exceed 100 0 . Evenings are somewhat cooler and temperatures may be in the mid 60's. During the months of August and September, you will see mostly rain and summers are known for intense afternoon and evening thunderstorms. On the other hand, winters are mild with temperatures reaching between the 50's and 60's during the day, but the night can get a little chilly as temps go down to the 20's or 30's. Whatever time of year you visit the caverns, the underground temperatures tell a different story with a year round temperature that varies little from its average of about 56 degrees F. You will want to take a jacket or sweater with you for touring the caves. Regardless of the season you decide to visit the Caverns, the climate in the caves doesn't vary no matter what the weather is like on top. If you don't like huge crowds, the best time to visit the caverns is during the weekdays between Labor Day and Memorial Day. January is the quietest month. The only downside of visiting in the off season is the bat flights. The bats head to Mexico when the weather starts to become chilly (October), and they don't return until May. My advice is to go during September because you can still see the bat flights and there are fewer visitors than during the peak summer season. Moreover, during the off season, there are fewer guided tours. Where to Stay Finding a hotel near the Cavern may be a bit difficult for the visitor. Framer's lists Best Western Cavern Inn located on 17 Carlsbad Cavern Highway (800-228-3767). The hotel has 105 unites and is the most convenient place to stay while visiting. Rooms range in price depending on time of visit and can range from $55 to $105. Another hotel, Days Inn Carlsbad is located at 3910 National Parks Highway and is about 16.4 miles from entrance of Carlsbad Caverns and has about 50 rooms. Rates begin at about $80 and up. The hotel offers a free Continental Breakfast of waffles and biscuits and gravy. Last, the Super 8 Motel is located at 3817 National Parks Highway and is 25 miles away from the Caverns. Here you can enjoy a swimming pool and if you like to walk, be sure to walk along the Pecos River that runs through the town. Other activities include shopping and outdoor grilling. Rates begin at about $70 depending on time of travel. Where to Dine If you love authentic Mexican cuisine, my recommendation is to visit Larez Restaurant. The food is prepared personally by restaurant owner Dora Larez. Since items are prepared from scratch, you may have a bit of a wait, but you can relax and enjoy the simple décor while the food is being prepared. Take advantage of this restaurant quickly as Dora is selling it to any serious offers. Prices range from $3 to $10 for a main course and major credit cards are accepted. In the event that you want to stick with traditional American Cuisine, The Flume is your best bet. The Flume is considered one of Carlsbad's finest dining establishments offering steak, seafood, regional favorites as well as an extensive wine list. If you are a light eater, The Flume offers dinners that will meet your needs. Lunch menus range from $4 to $8 and diners range from $7 to $18. All major credit cards are accepted. A restaurant popular with the locals is the Whiner Diner Cafe. The food is prepared healthy and fresh. The portions are great and so is the atmosphere and service. Although the Whiner Diner Café has no menu postings, you can reach them at 505-234-2815 to find out more about pricing and menus. This brings us to another end of travels with Mary and hope you enjoyed this one. My personal feeling is this would be an amazing trip filled with education and a real nature experience. Below is a list of all the various cave rooms that were listed on Wikipedia. If time permits, you may want to venture into those caves as each one offers a new adventure. One final note, remember this month is Mother's Day. Mom should hold a special place in your heart as she has been the giver of life. My mom is very special to me. Without her constant encouragement and love, I am not sure where my life would be at this moment. God allowed me to be born to this very special woman and for that I am grateful. To all those who are mothers, have a wonderful Mother's Day. Until next time, happy travels. Various Named Carlsbad Cavern Rooms Balloon Ballroom - located in the ceiling above the main entrance corridor, this small room was first accessed by tying a rope to a bunch of balloons and floating them up into the passage. Bat Cave - a large, unadorned rocky passage connected to the main entrance corridor that was mined for bat guano in the early 20th century. The majority of the cave's bat population lives in this portion of the cave. Bell Cord Room - named for a long, narrow stalactite coming through a hole in the ceiling, resembling the rope coming through a church steeple to ring the bell. This room is located at the end of the Left Hand Tunnel. Bifrost Room - discovered in 1982 , it is located in the ceiling above Lake of the Clouds. Its name refers to a Norse myth about a world in the sky that was accessed from Earth by a rainbow. The room was given this name because of its location above the Lake of the Clouds and its colorful oxide-stained formations. Big Room or The Hall of the Giants - the largest chamber in Carlsbad Caverns , with a floor space of 33,210 m² (357,469 sq ft). [2] Chocolate High - a maze of small passages totaling nearly a mile in combined length, discovered in 1993 above a mud-filled pit in the New Mexico Room known as Chocolate Drop. Green Lake Room - the uppermost of the "Scenic Rooms", it is named for a deep, malachite -colored pool in the corner of the room. In the 1940s , when the military was testing the feasibility of Carlsbad Cavern as an emergency fallout shelter, the Green Lake was used to look for ripples caused by a nuclear bomb test many miles away. None appeared. Guadalupe Room - discovered by a park ranger in 1966 , this is the second largest room in Carlsbad Caverns . It is known for its dense collection of "soda straw" stalactites . Hall of the White Giant - a large chamber containing a large, white stalagmite. Rangers regularly lead special wild cave tours to this location. King's Palace - the first of four chambers in a wing known as the "scenic rooms", it is named for a large castle-like formation in the center of the room. The Bashful Elephant formation can be found here. Lake of the Clouds - the lowest known point in the cave. It is located in a side passage off the Left Hand Tunnel. It is named for its large lake containing globular, cloud-like rock formations that formed under water when the lake level was much higher. Left Hand Tunnel - a long, straight passage marked by deep fissures in the floor. These fissures are not known to lead anywhere. The Left Hand Tunnel leads to the Lake of the Clouds and the Bell Cord Room. Mystery Room - a small room located in Lower Cave . New Mexico Room - located adjacent to the Queen's Chamber and accessed by means of a short slope. New Section - a section of fissures east of the White Giant formation and parallelling the Bat Cave . New discoveries are still being made in this section. Papoose Room - located between the King's Palace and Queen's Chamber. Queen's Chamber - widely regarded as the most beautiful and scenic area of the cave. Jim White's lantern went out in this chamber while exploring and was in the dark for over a half hour. Spirit World - Located in the ceiling of the Big Room, this area is filled with white stalagmites that resembled angels to the room's discoverers. Talcum Passage - a room located in Lower Cave where the floor is coated with gypsum dust. The Rookery - one of the larger rooms in Lower Cave . A large number of cave pearls are found in this area. Underground Lunchroom - Located in the Big Room at the head of the Left Hand Tunnel. It contains a cafeteria that was built in the 1950s, and is where the elevators from the visitor center exit into the cave. Mary Dunn can be reached through her various emails and websites. She would definitely enjoy hearing from her travel readers . mcdunn222@yahoo.com www.xanga.com/mcdunn www.myspace.com/marydunn www.shoutlife.com/marytheartist www.marydunn-artist.com

	Home Page
Previous Page	Table of Contents	Next Page

Here we are in the midst of spring with summer just around the corner. The spring flowers are in bloom and as I look out the kitchen window, I spot the tulips as they break through the ground and the shrubs begin to turn green. Some of the trees are blooming with lovely colorful blossoms. One of the most touching times for me is to observe the circle of life with the change of seasons.

Those changes bring new life renew me in my spiritual walk because I witness the new life as a gift God has given to us in his plan for our lives. Seeing each new bud and each new bloom provides the realization that someone far greater than me created this beauty.

In my travels, I am always amazed at the beauty of each destination. From the formations of a mountain, the beauty of a rainbow, and how animals inhabitant a specific area, it amazes me how they adapt to their surroundings so effortlessly without question. It is interesting how those inhabitants have the instinct to survive without harming the land in which they live.

There is beauty all around us which is sometimes difficult for us to appreciate because of the many stresses of daily living. Take time to enjoy beautiful moments such as a tulip pushing through the surface of the spring ground. Thank God for his creation because it was given to you because of love.

This month, as we head into summer, there are many great destinations in the United States and abroad that we could travel and explore. However, this month, choosing a destination was somewhat difficult for me. Because I have been to a few wonderful areas within the US , I really haven't explored the country as I would like to. Therefore, I posed a question to some of my readers asking where they would enjoy vacationing for this months travel. I had several great responses and one especially stood out for me because I have never been there and because I couldn't think of a better destination that elaborated on the creative forms of God's work in the creation of our earth than in the suggestion of Carlsbad Caverns.

Carlsbad Caverns is located in the Carlsbad Caverns National Park in the Guadalupe Mountains of New Mexico. It is one of the most spectacular cave systems in the world and comprises more than 100 known caves. The Caverns were designated as a National Monument in October, 1923. However, it was redesignated a National Park in May, 1930 and as a World Heritage Site in December 1995.

As a National Park, Carlsbad Cavern and numerous other caves within a Permian-age fossil reef can be preserved because the government has control over the area. This way, no harm can come to the area through pollution or human development. The park contains 83 separate caves, including the nation's deepest limestone cave - 1,597 feet (486.8 m) - and third longest.

According to Frommers.com , formations of stalactites, stalagmites and an incredible variety of other formations began some 250 million years ago when a huge inland sea covered this region. Then, about 20 million years ago, a reef that was once undersea moved upwards. With that movement, thousands of feet of sediment broke free. As tectonic forces pushed the buried rock up, erosion wore away softer minerals, thus forming the Guadalupe Mountains . Brine from the gas and oil deposits mingled with rainwater, creating sulfuric acid that dissolved limestone and created cave passages.

Once the caves were hollowed out, God took on the artistic nature which decorated rooms with a vast variety of fanciful formations. As the water dripped down through the rock into the caves, slowly dissolving limestone, the water absorbed the calcite and other materials on its journey. Remember that the formations began during a time when the climate was cooler and wetter. Each drop of water that dripped subsequently deposited a tiny load of calcite which gradually created the formations seen today.

Eventually, carbon dioxide escaped into the cave air. No longer able to hold the dissolved calcite, the water drops deposited its tiny mineral load as a crystal of calcite. Billions and billions of drops later, thousands of cave formations had taken shape. And, oh my, what miraculous shapes they took! Where water dripped slowly from the ceiling, soda straws and larger stalactites appeared. Water falling on the floor created stalagmites. Sometimes a stalactite and stalagmite joined, forming a column.

Some of the more unusual formations to occur in Carlsbad Cavern are helictites, which grow seemingly without regard to gravity . It is quite interesting how their twisting shapes are governed by crystal shapes, impurities and the force of water under pressure. Other rare formations are those composed not of calcite, but of aragonite, a mineral chemically identical to calcite but with a different crystal structure. These formations tend to be small, delicate and needle-like .

Carlsbad Cavern, with one of the world's largest underground chambers with countless formations, is also highly accessible, and for that reason, a variety of tours are offered year round. Wikipedia points out that “ peak visitation typically occurs on the weekends following Memorial Day and the 4th of July. The park entrance is located on US Highway 62/180 approximately 18 miles (29 km) southwest of Carlsbad , New Mexico .

One of the most surprising and most popular visitors (about 300,000) to the caverns during the summer months is the Mexican free-tailed bat which hangs from the ceiling of the Bat Cave during the day. However, during the evening, the bats put on a spectacular show as they leave the cave in search of food and again in the morning when they return for a good day's sleep. If you are inclined to view the bat flight, more information can be reviewed online at www.nps.gov/cave .

Called the “night flight”, the Mexican Free-tail bat begins with a few bats fluttering out of the entrance of Carlsbad Cavern. In a matter of Minutes, a thick whirlwind of bats spirals out of the cave up into the darkening night sky. The exodus can last anywhere from 20 minutes and up to two hours.

Interestingly enough, the bats move in a serpentine fashion towards the southeast to feed in the Pecos and Black River Valleys . The bats will eat moths and other insects filling several stomachs full a single night.

As dawn approaches, the bats begin flying back to the cave individually or in small groups. They reenter the cave in a way that is as remarkable as their mass departure. The bat positions itself high above the cave entrance and folds its wings close to its body. There the bat remains until it is time for the nightly exodus.

How to Get to Carlsbad Caverns National Park

If you decide to drive to Carlsbad Caverns via the southeastern side of New Mexico , accessibility is best by US 62/180 from either Carlsbad , New Mexico or El Paso Texas .

In southeastern New Mexico , Carlsbad Caverns is accessible by way of US 62/180 from either Carlsbad , New Mexico (23 miles to the northeast) or El Paso , Texas (150 miles to the west). A scenic 7-mile entrance road leads from the park gate at Whites City to the visitor center and cavern entrance.

Recommended Scenic Routes Near Carlsbad Caverns National Park

If you decide to drive, you might want to take the scenic route to the National Park. One of the most interesting ways to go is via the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway which is an 84-mile historical route that pays tribute to the infamous "Wild West" outlaw as well as several other western icons that will additionally include Smokey the Bear. The route winds through the rugged beauty of the million-acre Lincoln National Forest .

Points of interest that you certainly will want to visit include the Hubbard Museum of the American West, Fort Stanton , Lincoln State Monument , and the Smokey Bear Museum and Park.

If you are traveling south from Albuquerque , you can take I-25 south to US 380 just south of Socorro, then US 380 east to Capitan. This is the northern entrance to the byway, which also includes sections of US 70, and Highway 48. The byway takes about two hours to drive.

For more information about the park, contact Carlsbad Caverns National Park, 3225 National Parks Highway, Carlsbad, New Mexico 88220 or by phone at 800-967-CAVE for tour reservations.

Additionally, the park has a visitor center that displays the history and geology of the caverns, bats and other wildlife found within the caverns. While there, you can get information about the tours that are available as well as the other park activities both above and below ground.

Admission to the visitor center and aboveground sections of the park is free. The basic cavern entry fee, which is good for 3 days and includes self-guided tours of the Natural Entrance and Big Room, is $6 for adults and free for children younger than 16. Frommers points out that holders of Golden Eagle, Golden Age, Golden Access, and National Parks passes, plus their immediate families are admitted free.

For general admission to the cave, you will need an admission ticket, and in addition to that, there are tour fees for all guided cave tours except those to Slaughter Canyon and Spider Cave . Reservations are required for all guided tours. Once again if you hold a Golden Age and Golden Access passport, you will receive a 50% discount on tours. The King's Palace guided tour costs $8 for adults, $4 for children ages 6 to 15, and it is free for children between the ages of 4-5 if accompanied by an adult. However, younger children are not permitted on the tours.

Guided tours to Left Hand Tunnel are limited to children 6 and older. That tour ranges from $7 for adults and $3.50 for children 6 to 15. Guided tours to the Spider Cave , Lower Cave and Hall of the White Giant are limited to those 12 and older. The cost for that tour ranges from $20 for adults and $10 for youths 12 to 15. Slaughter Canyon Cave tours are limited to those 6 and older and costs $15 for adults and $7.50 for children 6 to 15. You can make reservations for cave tours in advance. My suggestion is to plan ahead for a tour of the caves which can be done by phone (800-967-Cave) or online at http://reservations.nps.gov . You can actually plan a tour up to three months in advance.

A few important notes to follow while in the caves requires a little common sense. Damaging the cave formations in any way is prohibited. Some people do not understand that they should not even touch the formations, walls, or ceilings. The features in the caves are very delicate and easily broken.

Besides the delicate nature of the cave, skin oil will discolor the rock and disturb the mineral deposits that are necessary for growth. Tobacco is prohibited underground and food, drinks, candy and chewing gum are a definite no.

Cave explorers should wear flat shoes with rubber soles and heels because the paths may be slippery. If you are younger than 16, you must remain with a parent or adult at all times. In the event that you are taking a smaller child, strollers are prohibited; however, you can use a child backpack. One note of caution here; the ceilings are low in some areas, so beware of that along the pathways.

If you are interested in the bat flight during the evening, no photographs can be taken unless you have a special permit.

As most of us plan vacations during the summer months, going to Carlsbad Caverns during this time of the year can be quite warm. High temps often reach and exceed 100 0 . Evenings are somewhat cooler and temperatures may be in the mid 60's.

During the months of August and September, you will see mostly rain and summers are known for intense afternoon and evening thunderstorms.

On the other hand, winters are mild with temperatures reaching between the 50's and 60's during the day, but the night can get a little chilly as temps go down to the 20's or 30's.

Whatever time of year you visit the caverns, the underground temperatures tell a different story with a year round temperature that varies little from its average of about 56 degrees F. You will want to take a jacket or sweater with you for touring the caves. Regardless of the season you decide to visit the Caverns, the climate in the caves doesn't vary no matter what the weather is like on top.

If you don't like huge crowds, the best time to visit the caverns is during the weekdays between Labor Day and Memorial Day. January is the quietest month.

The only downside of visiting in the off season is the bat flights. The bats head to Mexico when the weather starts to become chilly (October), and they don't return until May.

My advice is to go during September because you can still see the bat flights and there are fewer visitors than during the peak summer season. Moreover, during the off season, there are fewer guided tours.

Finding a hotel near the Cavern may be a bit difficult for the visitor. Framer's lists Best Western Cavern Inn located on 17 Carlsbad Cavern Highway (800-228-3767). The hotel has 105 unites and is the most convenient place to stay while visiting. Rooms range in price depending on time of visit and can range from $55 to $105.

Another hotel, Days Inn Carlsbad is located at 3910 National Parks Highway and is about 16.4 miles from entrance of Carlsbad Caverns and has about 50 rooms. Rates begin at about $80 and up. The hotel offers a free Continental Breakfast of waffles and biscuits and gravy.

Last, the Super 8 Motel is located at 3817 National Parks Highway and is 25 miles away from the Caverns. Here you can enjoy a swimming pool and if you like to walk, be sure to walk along the Pecos River that runs through the town. Other activities include shopping and outdoor grilling. Rates begin at about $70 depending on time of travel.

If you love authentic Mexican cuisine, my recommendation is to visit Larez Restaurant. The food is prepared personally by restaurant owner Dora Larez. Since items are prepared from scratch, you may have a bit of a wait, but you can relax and enjoy the simple décor while the food is being prepared. Take advantage of this restaurant quickly as Dora is selling it to any serious offers. Prices range from $3 to $10 for a main course and major credit cards are accepted.

In the event that you want to stick with traditional American Cuisine, The Flume is your best bet. The Flume is considered one of Carlsbad's finest dining establishments offering steak, seafood, regional favorites as well as an extensive wine list. If you are a light eater, The Flume offers dinners that will meet your needs. Lunch menus range from $4 to $8 and diners range from $7 to $18. All major credit cards are accepted.

A restaurant popular with the locals is the Whiner Diner Cafe. The food is prepared healthy and fresh. The portions are great and so is the atmosphere and service. Although the Whiner Diner Café has no menu postings, you can reach them at 505-234-2815 to find out more about pricing and menus.

This brings us to another end of travels with Mary and hope you enjoyed this one. My personal feeling is this would be an amazing trip filled with education and a real nature experience. Below is a list of all the various cave rooms that were listed on Wikipedia. If time permits, you may want to venture into those caves as each one offers a new adventure.

One final note, remember this month is Mother's Day. Mom should hold a special place in your heart as she has been the giver of life. My mom is very special to me. Without her constant encouragement and love, I am not sure where my life would be at this moment. God allowed me to be born to this very special woman and for that I am grateful. To all those who are mothers, have a wonderful Mother's Day.

Balloon Ballroom - located in the ceiling above the main entrance corridor, this small room was first accessed by tying a rope to a bunch of balloons and floating them up into the passage.
Bat Cave - a large, unadorned rocky passage connected to the main entrance corridor that was mined for bat guano in the early 20th century. The majority of the cave's bat population lives in this portion of the cave.
Bell Cord Room - named for a long, narrow stalactite coming through a hole in the ceiling, resembling the rope coming through a church steeple to ring the bell. This room is located at the end of the Left Hand Tunnel.
Bifrost Room - discovered in 1982 , it is located in the ceiling above Lake of the Clouds. Its name refers to a Norse myth about a world in the sky that was accessed from Earth by a rainbow. The room was given this name because of its location above the Lake of the Clouds and its colorful oxide-stained formations.
Big Room or The Hall of the Giants - the largest chamber in Carlsbad Caverns , with a floor space of 33,210 m² (357,469 sq ft). [2]
Chocolate High - a maze of small passages totaling nearly a mile in combined length, discovered in 1993 above a mud-filled pit in the New Mexico Room known as Chocolate Drop.
Green Lake Room - the uppermost of the "Scenic Rooms", it is named for a deep, malachite -colored pool in the corner of the room. In the 1940s , when the military was testing the feasibility of Carlsbad Cavern as an emergency fallout shelter, the Green Lake was used to look for ripples caused by a nuclear bomb test many miles away. None appeared.
Guadalupe Room - discovered by a park ranger in 1966 , this is the second largest room in Carlsbad Caverns . It is known for its dense collection of "soda straw" stalactites .
Hall of the White Giant - a large chamber containing a large, white stalagmite. Rangers regularly lead special wild cave tours to this location.
King's Palace - the first of four chambers in a wing known as the "scenic rooms", it is named for a large castle-like formation in the center of the room. The Bashful Elephant formation can be found here.
Lake of the Clouds - the lowest known point in the cave. It is located in a side passage off the Left Hand Tunnel. It is named for its large lake containing globular, cloud-like rock formations that formed under water when the lake level was much higher.
Left Hand Tunnel - a long, straight passage marked by deep fissures in the floor. These fissures are not known to lead anywhere. The Left Hand Tunnel leads to the Lake of the Clouds and the Bell Cord Room.
Mystery Room - a small room located in Lower Cave .
New Mexico Room - located adjacent to the Queen's Chamber and accessed by means of a short slope.
New Section - a section of fissures east of the White Giant formation and parallelling the Bat Cave . New discoveries are still being made in this section.
Papoose Room - located between the King's Palace and Queen's Chamber.
Queen's Chamber - widely regarded as the most beautiful and scenic area of the cave. Jim White's lantern went out in this chamber while exploring and was in the dark for over a half hour.
Spirit World - Located in the ceiling of the Big Room, this area is filled with white stalagmites that resembled angels to the room's discoverers.
Talcum Passage - a room located in Lower Cave where the floor is coated with gypsum dust.
The Rookery - one of the larger rooms in Lower Cave . A large number of cave pearls are found in this area.
Underground Lunchroom - Located in the Big Room at the head of the Left Hand Tunnel. It contains a cafeteria that was built in the 1950s, and is where the elevators from the visitor center exit into the cave.

Mary Dunn can be reached through her various emails and websites. She would definitely enjoy hearing from her travel readers .