#1 Carlsbad Caverns, NM

And we are have my favorite National Park of all time. There is smomething about descending into a cave that puts into perspective how you've never truly been "surrounded" before. Sure, you may have been in a labyrinth, or stuffy room, or building, but there is always air around you. But it's all different down there.


Caves

The best part about this is that the air remains cool as you take the long way down (and it's all downhill!) Once getting to the big room everything changes: the air gets moist and it opens with cavernous walls like Minecraft generation. Like so much in New Mexico, these photos do not do it justice. It's almost insulting to what it actually feels like.


Rolling mountains. Rolling mountains.

But it's not even close to a Minecraft cave -- much of the rock was formed by the ancient reef that existed hundreds of millions of years ago, which leads to so, so, so many different geologic formations. Then this sat here untouched until some 16 year old was playing around here in the 1870s after seeing a billion bats fly out.

That last image shows an original rope used by settlers when they first explored the depths. It was so strange to know everything is supposed to be pitch black, but the NPS really did a number with the mood lighting. Before taking the elevator back up, there is a gift shop INSIDE the cave. Yes. But I'll let you experience that for when you visit.


Rog

I rate this park Diamond on the Mohs Hardness Scale It goes that hard.


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Carlsbad Cavemen.

P.S. Carslbad town mascot is the Cavemen which is amazing. Found their merch at Goodwill!!