Driving to Carlsbad Caverns from SoCal was one of my very first solo road trips. I had an awesome time! In addition to the excitement of the drive and the caves, I was also meeting up with an online friend.

But back to the caves. It’s a totally surreal world, unlike anything you see… well, on the surface. haha

Seeing photos is one thing, but being surrounded by it, together with the cold air and high humudity, is another.

We took a tour of the Slaughter Cave, which is a wild cave with no railings or lighting. At a couple places, we all turned our lights off and got quiet. It was the most jarring quiet I’ve ever experienced.

The only drawback is that it’s in a rather secluded part of NM, and highway 62 in TX isn’t exactly scenic. But still, well worth going.