So this year we decided we needed to get away. So we packed up the family car and drove to New Mexico. Our goal was to see White Sands National Monument and Carlsbad Caverns, 2 places that neither Ryan or Teresa had ever gone to. Day 1 we drove from home to Tucson since the hotels were way less expensive there than Phoenix (go figure??). We swam in the pool that night, went to dinner, and then had the free breakfast at the hotel (the kids LOVED this) then drove onward to Alamogordo, N.M.
Day 2: We arrive in Alamogordo. Small town. They were having a rare wind storm, and the sands from White Sands were blowing everywhere. You could hardly see across town. Apparently in this small town things close REALLY early on Sunday. So instead of eating at a nice local restaurant we ended up at Chilis for dinner (1 of only 2 places open past 6pm).
New Mexico is also known for their pistachios. So we went to a couple of gift shop places to sample their many varieties of pistachios....and to take a picture with a large pistachio (of course).
Day 3: Visiting White Sands
We went to a local sandwich shop and picked up some food for lunch. Then drove over to the park. It was only 10-15 min away from town. The visitor's center sells sleds for sledding down the dunes, so we stopped there first and got our needed materials for shredding the dunes.
 |
We stopped at the boardwalk (the first pull off on the loop drive around the park) and checked it out.
|
 |
| The sand was so soft. If you dig into it, it is cold underneath. |
 |
| Making a sand angel. |
At this point, there were till some shrubs in the sand. When you drive further back, you get the larger dunes and the shrubs go away.
 |
Some of the dunes looked so big when you stood at the bottom and looked up.
|
SLEDDING TIME!!!!!
These can be hard to climb up.
I found it best to go as far as I could standing, then crawl the rest of the way.
When we bought the sleds, they said to find gentle dunes at first, but those don't work at all! So after lunch (they have these awesome shelters to eat lunch in...see behind me in this picture) we found the biggest and steepest hill we could. It worked much better. Also, having a sled made of harder plastic works much better. A nice family that was there with us let us borrow their extra sled, and we got some good speed (finally).
 |
Lunch time in the shelters.
|
We stayed at White Sands for about 4 hours and then had to start the 3 hour drive over to Artesia, N.M. where we were staying to see Carlsbad Caverns the next day.
Day 4: Visit Carlsbad Caverns
Our hotel gave us free breakfast, this time however it was in the restaurant attached to the hotel, and it was actual hot food, not just the continental breakfast stuff we had before. So again.....kids were excited! The hotel also had an indoor pool so we took advantage of that the night before as well. All were pleased. However, what the brochures don't tell you about Artesia is that it is an oil town and there is literally an oil rig and plant in the middle of town. The whole place smells AWEFUL!!
Anywho....we drove down to Carlsbad after breakfast.
 |
| Obligatory family portrait at the entrance to every National Park |
We got our tickets for the self guided tour and headed down to the entrance. During the summer the bats fly out of the mouth of this cave in the thousands. Not during the spring though....it's pretty awesome anyway!
 |
Going down into the belly of the beast. Here it's still light from the opening.
|
 |
Once down inside (it takes about an hour to go down) you enter this area before you go see the "Big Room". There is a small snack stand, souvenirs, and even bathrooms with flush toilets. All under ground! Crazy!!!
|
The lines there are for the elevator back up. Apparently during their busy season you can wait upwards of 2 hours for an elevator back up. There are sign all over the lobby at the top trying to persuade you to walk back up the steep main entrance instead of waiting in the long lines. Fortunately we were there on a day that was not very crowded....but I was still a bit nervous. We went through the Big Room a little faster than I would have liked to be sure we didn't have to wait 2 hours.....and the kids were getting tired by then.
But, the Big Room is really the highlight of the trip!
 |
The temp down there is a constant 56 degrees and very humid. So naturally my hair started to go curly. Zoey says "Mom, we better leave soon or you'll have an afro". Love you too kiddo!!
|
Day 5 and 6 were spent driving back to Lancaster. We stopped half way again in Touson and ate at the highest rated Mexican Food place in town. 45 minute wait on a Wed. night.....it was good, but I really didn't think it was anything really special. Oh well! We always prefer to eat local when we can.
Mi Nidito Restaurant- Bill Clinton ate here :)
it's their big claim to fame....
Another Cheney trip in the books. Long driving days, but the 2 destinations were really worth it!
Next trip- Charlottesville and North Carolina this summer.
