Big Hole in the Ground

We arrived at our next respite point, located in Lakewood NM. This Ranch was the second one build for Escapee members to enjoy. This park is located on part of a large 

cattle ranch.Apparently the founder of Escapee (Joe Peterson) knew the owner from childhood. Rumor is that they flew over the ranch and Joe told his friend that he wanted "that piece down there".  It is about a half hour drive either way to get to a fair sized city. One direction is Carlsbad, the other is Roswell. Between the rain drops the sunrises are spectacular This
happened to be one morning out our front door on the way to the caverns. I was excited to see the caverns, I had never been there.







From the beginning of the drive up to the caverns was a beautiful drive into the hills. You would never suspect that something as magnificent as the caverns existed.

The National Park Service (NPS) took in to account a lot when they set up the upper area outside. There are some parking spaces for RVs and buses, besides regular vehicles. People traveling with pets are not allowed to leave the pet in their vehicle, and they are not allowed in the caverns. Have no fear, NPS has kennel facilities to handle your needs. The Visitor Center has a restaurant, gift shop, and small show and tell area before going into the caverns. The cost is only $15.00 to get into the main cavern, you can buy tours into other caverns. The first thing I liked was it didn't cost us anything to get in because of our senior's park pass. The next thing I liked was the elevator. There are two ways into the cavern, walk or elevator. Carol and I chose the elevator, it was a little faster, and easier on Carol's knees, mine too, probably. You see the "Big Room" of the cavern is 750 feet below fresh air. Once at the bottom of the elevator, the doors open to a new world. NPS is upgrading lighting in the cave to make it safer, and more enjoyable. Enough talk, let's get to pictures.

The first thing that needs to be understood is that we are talking a 1 1/2 mile loop through the "Big Room". If you are claustrophobic you may not feel comfortable in the caverns.








Throughout the caverns NPS has provided names for some of the prominent formations, I will not be providing those names to encourage you to visit this national park.

Jabba Da Hut on Slim Fast

I took over 300 pictures in the caverns, Carol took a lot herself, but this is all you get. You have to go and get your own.

The caverns were our primary reason for staying in Lakewood. Next Stop is Abilene TX.

In Abilene TX we stayed at the VFW for a couple nights. Kind of pricey at $40.00 per night for non-members. Carol has relatives here, they came by for awhile then took us over to a good steakhouse in town. My ribeye provided me three meals, Carol's only lasted two. 

From Abilene we are headed to Livingston TX to see the home office of Escapee RV Club.