The Great RV Trip-Carlsbad Caverns

A couple of weeks ago, our six pack loaded up just about everything in our house that wasn't nailed down and started the 16 day and 4300 mile round trip trek to Lake Charles, Florida. Besides the obvious {and numerous} reasons for not wanting to fly with four children, four and under, Jer and I thought why not let some people from other states comment on the number and ages of our children make some memories and take our brood to see some cities and sights that they might not otherwise get to {like Breaux Bridge, LA!}. So after months of Googling the best tourist traps, the greasiest hole-in-the-wall diners, and least ex-convict ridden RV parks, we grabbed the coffee pot and a whole lotta gas money and hit the road. First stop...Carlsbad Caverns in Carlsbad, NM.

The first night found us tired, hungry, and with the intent of "boondocking" or camping for free in a Wal-Mart parking lot. 

That lasted about 2.4 seconds.

Besides sounding like the Indy 500 right outside our door, the parking lot was bright as mid-day and it was about 82 degrees inside our RV. Insert crying  wife children and Jer decided to high tail it out of there and to the nearest spot with 30 watt hook ups. Best $42.00 investment ever. Turns out a little air conditioning and electricity makes everyone feel a little less...hysterical.

Seeing how once one person turns over in their bed, the entire RV is up, we hit the trail bright and early. Believe it or not, this was actually my number one pick for our trip! I love the caverns and I couldn't wait to take the boys...until we hit about this point in the hike. Small, wiggly, clumsy offspring < big, black gaping hole.

Turns out the Lord had more in store for me at this little stop than some stalactites and stalagmites.

But once we were inside, it was an absolute treat to share with the boys that the same God who heard my prayers for our family's safety on our way down, was the One who carved this vast cave by telling each drop of water where to go. 

Breathtaking.

 For the majority, anyway. 

Despite the copious amounts of sweaty, "Don't you dare let go!" hand holding, the boys loved the cave and hiked the ENTIRE thing. Although, I think the postcards from the gift shop were equally exhilarating! 

And because they just did so well...geode's and icee's for all.

Grasshopper learning the art of slow icee slurping. Can you say, brainfreeze?

Next stop...San Antonio, Texas!