Super-fantastic Journeys

Through our multiple visits to Bandelier National Monument, we have hiked a number of the trails that depart from the visitor center.  The hiking here is very accessible and is friendly to the time-crunched traveler.  I would highly recommend one of the trails that takes you through the ruins.  This is a dream spot for kids to hike because they get to climb ladders and go through narrow passageways. Main Ruin Loop Trail Distance: 1.4 Miles Trail Type: Loop Elevation Gain: 291 feet Difficulty: Easy All Trails Map The Main Ruin Loop Trail begins and ends at the visitor center.  The trail is 1.4 miles in length and is broken into two sections.  The first section is paved and is handicap accessible.  The second portion of the trail has some narrow sections of stairs to climb as you work your way up onto the cliffs sides to be able to access the carved out alcoves that were made in the side of the canyon for homes and storage.  Ladders from the trail will allow adventurers to climb

Carlsbad Caverns National Park is located in the Southeast portion of New Mexico, 20 miles from the town of Carlsbad.  The park has over 117 caves made in the limestone which was once an ocean reef.  The caverns were formed in this area when waters rich in hydrogen sulfide mixed with rainwater to create sulfuric acid.  The acid ate away the limestone and created the chambers that you are able to visit today.  About four million years ago this process stopped and the cave started making formations as surface water started working its way into the cave.  The formations that we see today is a result of the surface water bring minerals down and depositing them in the area. Carlsbad Cavern is the cave that most people visit and is developed for the large number of visitors the park hosts each year. The Carlsbad Cavern has 30 miles of passages surveyed and has been developed extensively for visitors.  The great room that you visit is 8.2 acres in size and is the largest cave chamber p

National Park Sites in New Mexico New Mexico is called the land of enchantments for a reason.  The diversity of high mountains and deserts provide some great diversity to the activities available at the National Park Sites throughout the state.  While I have traveled to New Mexico for much of my life and have my favorite spots, there are still places I need to visit for the first time.  This is my ranking of the National Park sites located in New Mexico that I have visited and my bucket list to complete my exploration of all the National Park sites in the state. #1 Carlsbad Caverns National Park Explore the world that lies beneath the earth by going deep into Carlsbad Caverns.  You will stand in majestic great halls with mighty stalagmites and stalactites hanging tight to the ceiling.  Let your eyes adjust to the darkness and begin to see all the features of the cave while you listen to the water dripping into the cavern bring life fo the next formation. Read More - Carls