Carlsbad Caverns, NM

Carlsbad Caverns is a national park in southeastern New Mexico. After driving through a desert canyon, there is a short drive up to the high point where the visitor center and entrance to the cavern are situated.

You enter the cavern through a natural entrance. It is quite spectacular. You descend 750 feet (75 stories) to reach the main "room" which is enormous. It took us an hour to descend and we spent another hour + circumnavigating the cathedral-sized room.

I wasn't about to ascend the way we came in so we took the elevator back to the surface. Hint on getting out quickly...be willing to split up. They take groups of 8 or 6. Dave and I were able to join odd-numbered groups and so jumped to the front of the line.

The natural entrance.

White Sands, NM

I was planning to post photos of the New Mexico trip in chronological order but there are so many good photos of all our stops that I've decided to start with the highlight stop - White Sands National Monument near Alamogordo, NM.

You can find information about White Sands National Monument here. This is truly an enchanting place.

Sunset 

Even plants can live here. 

Little animal tracks 

sunset

Beautiful patterns 

We made it back from 5 mile hike

Beautiful landscape

Middle of no where

It sparkles

Spring pots

Went on annual plant shopping excursion to Malmborg's with Martha and Kelly. Decided I would do my pots up this year.

Some random photos from this weekend (Is Spring really here?)

Actually went for a run on Saturday. It was the first morning this month with temperatures above freezing.

On the run back home stopped at mom's tree at Lake Calhoun (Bde Maka Ska). The view of downtown Minneapolis is always so beautiful. And yes, the lake is still frozen.

Downtown Minneapolis across the still frozen Lake Calhoun

Mom's tree

I substituted for a co-worker on Saturday at the hardware store. The sunshine and warmer weather brought a steady flow of customers. We ave pansies but no other plants yet.

Co-worker put made an arrow of pansy petals to the hardware store

With temperatures forecast to be above freezing, I finally brought the geraniums up from the basement. Looks like everyone survived the winter with the exception of maybe one.

Also planted the calla lily rhizomes in the big pot. I have enough for another small pot.

The geraniums are out of the basement dungeon and on the porch.

The pretty part of spring snowstorm (now an official blizzard)

Was getting a bit of cabin fever so went for a walk down to the chain of lakes during the snowstorm.

Walked over to Isles Bun and Coffee for a coffee cake energy boost. From there walked down to Lake of the Isles. Could make out one of the islands but could not see across the lake.

Lake of the Isles

Snow piling up

Lake of the Isles toward the Lagoon

Headed over to Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun) through the tunnel. The snow was pretty deep with all the wind piling it up. Some robins were taking refuge in a little leafless bush. Visibility was probably only about 50 yards.

The stacks of boats, canoes and kayaks gave a hint to warmer weather.

Optimistic boats at Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun)

The Lagoon

Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun)

Four robins taking refuge

Starbuck optimism

Officially a blizzard now

Apple tree pruning

Finally got around to pruning the backyard apple tree. I don't remember if I've ever done a major pruning.

Using old running medals as wind chimes and to try to keep the birds away.

Before

Trimmings

After

More Charleston West Virginia

The weather wasn't very nice this week in Charleston. It even snowed some. There is some interesting architecture to explore.

There is an old hotel next to the office. The lobby has been dramatically changed for the way worse but this fantastic clock remains.

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This incredible convergence of jet trails. Kind of defines the area as flyover country

I thought is reflection was neat. Contrasting the old and the new.