Jacqueline’s Jaunts

Friday, April 25, 2025

04-10-2025, Florida Key West Trip 3/27 – 6/30 2025, 96 Days, 7986 Miles, 44 Stops

10 April 2025, Carlsbad Caverns National Park and Guadalupe National Park

Up early, had breakfast, and headed to Carlsbad Caverns NP for our 9:30 am scheduled entry. We arrived before the visitor center opened at 9:00 am. Once they opened the door, the guys got our tickets, and Jan and I went to the gift store to find the passport stamp area.

Once we stamped our passport books and I purchased a Christmas ornament, we headed outside to line up for our 9:30 am entry. It was already starting to get warm. We were thankful the waiting area was in the shade. After the Ranger orientation, we were let loose. The main thing we took away from the ranger was to whisper in the cave. Your voice could travel ¼ of a mile. To enter the cave, we walked down to the bottom of the amphitheater, where the cave opening is. The cave opening is also where all the bats fly out at sunset. We are a little early, according to the ranger.

We spent about two and a half hours and descended to the bottom, which is known as the Big Room. It was amazing. The areas that are lit up are beautiful. The water ponds were so clear that you could see the bottom. We took our time and soaked it all in. I was amazed at how fast people went through. You miss so much if you do not take your time. I found that if I looked up, my equilibrium would go wild. I had to hold onto the rail. The entire trail was paved and had handrails. There are so many information signs to stop and read. It was cool to see young kids stop and read them. I think this is one of my favorite National Parks.

Next on the agenda was lunch, so we returned to our rigs, where we enjoyed quick sandwiches, chips, and a cold drink. It's nice to sit for a few minutes after the two hours of walking through the cave.

The drive to Guadalupe National Park was about thirty minutes down the highway. The visitor center was the first stop for stamping our passport books. We spoke with one of the rangers to gather information about which hikes to take. We wandered through the museum and took the first short hike to the stagecoach ruins. It was behind the visitor center. Just one wall remains and is shored up with braces. Very cool to see. We hiked past the ruins and then headed toward the Visitor’s Center.

We decided to drive back toward White’s City and stop at Frijole Ranch, still part of the park. You can visit the restored ranch house and the stream shack, which serves as their primary source of water.

The original owners were Smith. I asked the ranger why it wasn’t named the Smith Ranch. He told us a funny story. The Smiths went to register the ranch name and were informed somebody had already taken the Smith name. On a fluke, they submitted Frijole, and it was approved. I thought this was so funny!!

Ken and Jan took off for a two-mile hike. We only took a short one to the pond, about a quarter of a mile. It was too hot for me to take a longer hike. The ground around the pond was squishy. It was built-up plant matter. The water was so clear that you could see the bottom of the pond. I still do not understand how someone can live out in nowhere.

Great day. Two National Parks in one day. YEA!

Carlsbad Caverns

Cave Entrance

The other side of the cave entrance

Looking through a hole with light coming through

Guadalupe National Park

Stagecoach station ruins

More Stagecoach ruins

Welcoming us to the ruins

The Frijole House

This building is over a fresh water spring

Another little guy saying hi

Freshwater pond

Clear cold water

Greeter at the RV store

Blue is my favorite color

RV parking for the next few days

Thursday, April 24, 2025

04-09-2025, Florida Key West Trip 3/27 – 6/30 2025, 96 Days, 7986 Miles, 44 Stops

09 April 2025, Carlsbad Caverns, New Mexico

We had numerous discussions last night about which route to take from Alamogordo to Carlsbad Caverns, but this morning, we decided not to take the mountain route and go through El Paso, Texas, then back up to New Mexico. It was a longer and safer route. There was one glitch: major road construction and rerouting through El Paso. It was a challenge between iMap and Garmin, but we got through it all and only made one extra loop on the freeway. The entire area is undergoing construction, and it's clear how confused drivers were by the erratic driving they exhibited.

We arrived at our RV Park at about four o’clock and drove into what we thought was the correct entrance. We found the proper place to register and then backed into our spot. K&J was about thirty minutes behind us. Our area was like a parking lot, but it worked. We were only seven miles outside Carlsbad Caverns and approximately forty miles from Guadalupe National Park. Once we got set up, it was a nice place to relax.

It was bedtime after dinner, drinks, and our nightly planning session. Tomorrow promises to be a busy day, with visits to two national parks in one day.

04-08-25 Florida Key West Trip 3/27 – 6/30 2025 96 Days, 7986 Miles, 44 Stops

08 April 2025, Alamogordo/White Sands KOA Journey

Goodbyes took a bit by the time we hugged Kenny’s Family and thanked them for a fantastic time. Today’s destination is Alamogordo, New Mexico, to visit the White Sands National Park. It was a three-hour drive to the RV park.

The drive was boring, consisting of desert sagebrush and cacti. We loved how the rig took the foothills. It was so much better than our last RV, which was gas. We arrived at the Alamogordo/White Sands KOA Journey in excellent time. The site was nice, with a clean BBQ, a table, and a bench swing.

We only had today, so we quickly settled and drove to White Sands National Park. It was fifteen minutes from the KOA. We each took our own Jeeps just in case one of us wanted to leave earlier.

Before we left town, a significant accident occurred. Both sides of the highway were closed, and we and all the diesel trucks had to make a considerable detour. It was about a couple of miles out of our way.

Our first stop was the visitor center for passport stamps and to ask a ranger about the walks. Once confirmed, we decided to take the Dune Life Nature Trail. It was only a one-mile round trip.

The trails are marked with metal stakes about three feet tall, so it’s easy to follow. The most surprising thing was that the sand is in the form of gypsum and remains cool. The sand is very white and you need sunglasses. I think the temperature was in the mid-eighties. It was very quiet out there and eerie. After this hike, it was too hot for me to do anything else. Jan and Ken decided to take another hike and we drove the rest of the way around the park. J&K also wanted to stay for the sunset.

The road into town was still blocked and we had to take a short detour. We texted K&J to let them know. Once back in camp, Barry started the BBQ and cooked turkey burgers. They were so yummy!

Ken and Jan decided not to stay for the sunset. Sand sledding is popular in White Sands, so Jan decided to try it. After eating, we had our daily meeting to discuss the next day’s travel route.