- IMG 2882
The usual suspects: Pip (the gray hippo-marble) and Mr. Frogman (holding open the computer) take their customary positions on the dash as we head out of Austin. - IMG 2883
Ears are weird. Bet you can't stuff yours into itself. - IMG 2884
After arriving at the scenic Guadalupe mountains, we prepared to head to our campsite from the Rangers' station, but discovered the car wouldn't shift out of park. Here, Bryan tries to find something in the manual that might help; eventually a call to a VW dealership yeilded the answer. - IMG 2885
We went for a hike a few miles into the mountains. The best part: the red trees. The views weren't bad either. Nor the beetle sex. Ahem. - IMG 2886
IMG_2886 - IMG 2887
IMG_2887 - IMG 2888
IMG_2888 - IMG 2890
The fore-mentioned red tree. - IMG 2891
IMG_2891 - IMG 2892
IMG_2892 - IMG 2893
IMG_2893 - IMG 2894
IMG_2894 - IMG 2895
IMG_2895 - IMG 2896
IMG_2896 - IMG 2897
IMG_2897 - IMG 2898
IMG_2898 - IMG 2899
IMG_2899 - IMG 2900
And here's the beetle sex. - IMG 2901
IMG_2901 - IMG 2905
IMG_2905 - IMG 2906
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IMG_2910 - IMG 2911
This is the view from the parking lot of Carlsbad Caverns. Not bad. - IMG 2912
We chose the "natural" entrance, and were warned that it would be quite challenging. The naturaly entrance consisted of asphalt-paved, gently-inclined trail all the way through the cave. With lights. But hey, it was pretty and hassle-free. I won't complain. - IMG 2913
From just within the cave entrance. - IMG 2914
The roof of the first large room. The flash does a poor job of lighting it up, but that is some testament to the shear size of the place. Tourist Mecca, perhaps, but worth a stop. - IMG 2918
The coolest of the pillars were the ones that seemed to be composed of armies of mushrooms from floor to ceiling. - IMG 2919
Sharp spikes hanging from the ceiling. Occasionally I imagined these snapping of and skewering me. - IMG 2920
The little puffs of rock are called "popcorn."