NEW MEXICO trip
Oct. 12-19 2023
PART 5
US 62/180 crosses this bridge in Carlsbad, N.M.
That Exxon sign looks like it's from about 1976.
We meet US 285. The US 180 shield looks even older than the Exxon sign yet manages to tell us nothing.
Plaza Street with the US 62/180/285 bridge going over. The question is, how did we end up here?
South on Canyon.
This is US 62/180/285 we sought so much.
Looking over at San Jose Boulevard at Dark Canyon Draw.
US 62/180 near Whites City, population 14 at the 2020 census.
NM 7 (Carlsbad Cavern Highway) enters Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
The park was established in 1930, and much of it is preserved as a beautiful wilderness. However, back during the COVID-19 pandemic, rangers noted that discarded masks were creating litter all over the park. Similarly, officials at Yellowstone National Park said masks were being tossed into the park's iconic geysers.
Most road photos from the park involve NM 7, as the road winds along Walnut Canyon.
Likely NM 7 again.
NM 7's ascent reveals distant mountains. These mountains might actually be Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas, which I visited in 2014 and where we had a picnic dinner featuring spoiled hamburgers.
Our NM 7 log continues. (Got your attention at log, didn't I?)
Some cactus and other scenery at the park.
The amphitheater at Carlsbad Caverns. This is where a woman dropped her eyeglasses in the aisle during the bat presentation.
The cavern itself is the centerpiece of the park. It had an extremely strenuous trail that went 75 stories deep. Just within the previous 10 years, explorers were still finding new huge chambers and passageways.
We now return you to roads, because they rule so much.
The rulingness continues.
That sign has seen less ridiculous days.
This plaque on US 62/180 talks about how the Civilian Conservation Corps built roads and trails.
We now return you to the park, because it rules so much.
Probably looking down at NM 7.
Another suspected NM 7 view.