{"id":228,"date":"2016-01-25T06:51:37","date_gmt":"2016-01-25T06:51:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/?p=228"},"modified":"2016-03-06T01:45:53","modified_gmt":"2016-03-06T01:45:53","slug":"underground-birthday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/01\/25\/underground-birthday\/","title":{"rendered":"Underground birthday"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dacen turned 10 today…double digits! \u00a0We woke up to a beautiful morning camped here at Brantley Lake State Park just north of Carlsbad NM and had donuts for breakfast (birthday boy’s choice).<\/p>\n

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Ava and CELO in the morning light at Brantley Lake State Park in NM<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We packed a lunch and headed to Carlsbad Caverns. \u00a0Since Dacen is in 4th grade this year he gets an annual pass to our national parks…so, our cavern entrance fee was waived!<\/p>\n

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The required picture at the National Park entrance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We enjoyed lunch outside in the sun. \u00a0 Its January and NM is known for high winds, but it was actually really nice for a picnic.<\/p>\n

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Filling our tanks before our cave trip<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Then grabbed Jr. Ranger books for the kids and headed to the natural entrance.<\/p>\n

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Jr. Ranger Brielle at the entrance<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Starting into the cave<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If I was ever a park ranger I think I’d really enjoy a stint at Carlsbad Caverns. \u00a0I love the desert mountains, the remote location and the cave itself is just so stinking big. \u00a0And the formations never cease to amaze me.<\/p>\n

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I’ve been through the main caverns probably 6 or 7 times and every time I have ridden the elevator out of the cave. \u00a0But this time the elevator was not an option….it was out of order. \u00a0So we walked out the natural entrance\u00a0which was a super cool bonus. \u00a0If you’ve ever been in a wild cave on your own you know how easy it is to get lost\u00a0because\u00a0things look so different on your way out of a cave. \u00a0The paved path and handrail made getting lost pretty hard but\u00a0it still looked so different on the way out….like two caves for the price of one (oh wait, we didn’t pay any\u00a0price\u00a0to get in today!!). \u00a0On our way out a little man in a helmet passed us on his way down into the cave. \u00a0He was looking down but said “yer on the home stretch” in a cheery voice. \u00a0It took my brain a bit to process all the info but I turned around and said, “is that Mr. Bemis?” to which the man replied, “couldn’t be….they wouldn’t let that guy in here”. \u00a0Sho nuf!! \u00a0It was Tom Bemis.<\/p>\n

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Huck with Carlsbad legend Tom Bemis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Oh, you don’t know who Tom Bemis is? \u00a0Let me tell you. \u00a0This guy has served Carlsbad Caverns since, well, I don’t know but its been a long time. \u00a0There are several wild caves you can get access to on your own….but some require a ranger to go with you and Tom Bemis led me and my buddies on a trip through\u00a0Ogle cave. \u00a0This guy is TOUGH and, despite his back\/spine injury, can\u00a0jug up a rope out of a cave\u00a0faster than I’ve ever seen anyone go. \u00a0Tom retired in 2009 but now works as a consultant….he was supervising the electricians working in the cave today.<\/p>\n

Brielle was nervous during our trip into the cave and around the Big Room\u00a0about the fact that we had to walk all the way out. \u00a0She asked if I’d give her piggy back rides on the way out. \u00a0But once we got started up she did great….never once asked for a ride on my back. \u00a0Its quite a hike out of the cave but with a few rests along the way we all made it!<\/p>\n

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We came back ‘home’ and Steph made biscuits and gravy for dinner (the birthday boy’s choice). \u00a0He wanted mystery cake too but it was late and so we’ll try that for tomorrow night. \u00a0Tonight we sang happy birthday to Dacen over a dish of ice cream and a Girl Scout cookie. \u00a0Dacen said, “this was the best birthday ever!” \u00a0I agree.<\/p>\n

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