I got a wild hair, and decided to take the 6 year old triplets and their 15 year old sister to see Carlsbad Caverns over spring break. Mommy elected to not take the week off, but my 75 year old dad wanted to come along.
So me, my dad, the 15 year old ball of attitude on legs and 6 year old triplets hopped into the Acura MDX and off we went...
Our new dog Tigger supervised as we packed and made ready:
The first day no pics were taken, I took the long way from Dallas to Carlsbad, NM via Van Horn TX so the kiddos could see the highest mountain in Texas (And my profile picture,)
Day two we went straight to Carlsbad Caverns, got there before it opened and got to watch the ranger raise the American Flag:
And off we go down the Natural Entrance!
My dad, who'd walked the caverns many times in his life, was determined he could do it one last time, even with one fake knee and one bad one.
For better or worse, he thought otherwise before we got too far down and doubled back to the visitor center where he took the elevator down to meet us at the bottom.
Kali stayed with her grandpa and assisted him back up to the top, while me and the triplets proceeded on into the darkness.
It wasn't long before Kali, having helped grandpa back to the visitor center, caught back up with us.
When the kids and I made it to the bottom, look who was waiting for us!
After touring the Big Room, the kiddos all completed the requirements to become Junior Rangers, and are sworn in.
Kiddos had to pose for a few pics near the entrance to the caverns, with Texas in the background behind them:
I took the slow gravel nature trail road out of the park because why not. The kids I think are part dog, loved hanging their heads out the window as we slowly rolled along.
I think half of New Mexico had attached itself to our car by the time we made it back to the hotel.
The next day we decided to head towards Albuquerque so the kids could ride the Sandia Peak Tramway (Ironically, this TERRIFIES their mommy, who happily jumps out of airplanes...) On the way we stopped at a junk shop in Roswell where the kiddos swarmed and molested the poor defenseless alien.
On the tram, some yummy forest rats were spotted (Two in this pic, if you can find 'em)
(Edit - THREE! I found a third one!)
At the top of Sandia Peak. Blake has NO fear, shear drop off behind them and I had to keep yelling at him to stop climbing on the railing.
We seem to have made it through this winter with no snow here in the Dallas area, but the kiddos got to frolic in some snow regardless at least!
Kaelynn making a teeny tiny little snowman:
Waving to the other tram car on the ride down.
After that, obligatory drive by Walter White's house. Evidently the current owners are a retired couple who make it their life's mission to scream at and cuss out every tourist who drives by their house. There were 3 cars with out of state plates parked out front of the house when I drove by, I elected to not be "That Guy" and just drove by without stopping. The house is the one on the left with the black fencing and cones out front.
Nice view of the closed down strip club outside our hotel in downtown Albuquerque as we all went to bed.
One last stop on the way home at the Cadillac Ranch:
Field full of empty spray paint cans at the Cadillac Ranch. Evidently they encourage people to spray paint them now, I think the layer upon layer of paint is the only thing holding the cars together at this point!
The kids quickly scavenged spray paint cans with a little left and got into the vandalism spirit of the place.
Nothing was safe from the spray painting... Nothing was sacred.
Many dollars were spent, many miles were devoured, there was some yelling, some bickering, but many MANY memories were made. I'm so thankful that I'm able to involve my parents in my kid's lives, I know that's a blessing.
Anyway, not Valk related, although I've made this same trip on my Valk (See my profile pic) that was pre-kids. No real point, I guess it's kinda a ride reportish, for those who followed along thanks for indulging me!
