Sunday 5/23: Where do I begin?

The last time I blogged was only 2 days ago...but it feels like I have done and seen so much since then. Here is my best attempt to detail it. (p.s. Comment on my blog, this is a pain in the but to keep up with, so it would be nice to know people are actually reading it.)

In the morning on Friday, May 21st, we toured New Orleans.I know the city is known for it's night life, which is like no where else, but during the day, New Orleans really comes to life. It is certainly the most unique city that I have ever been to. Street after street there are memorabilia shops, street vendors, artists, break dancers, and even bands playing in the middle of the street. We only spent the morning walking around all these great places, but we could have definitely spent multiple days, or even weeks in the diverse city of New Orleans.

We then headed to Austin, TX where we met up with my buddy from Merrimack, Tim Burns, or "Burnsy" for those that know him. We got in late and Nat wasn't feeling good, so she stayed back while me and Burnsy went downtown to experience the nightlife. And experience it I did. We went to 4 different bars on 6th street, all of which I remember, and then I picked up a t-shirt for Austin at about 2:00 in the morning. Saturday morning, Burnsy took us out to this awesome BBQ place called Rudy's where we got some "Texas style" breakfast tacos, which were full of flavor. After that, Burnsy gave us some awesome directions and we headed towards Carlsbad Caverns in Whites City, NM.

The drive to New Mexico was really fast...mainly due to the 80 mph speed limit in Western Texas. When we crossed the border into New Mexico the temperature just kept on rising...88, 91, 93, 97, and eventually topping off at 100 degrees (mind you it was 6pm at this time. It wouldn't have been that bad, but we weren't using the air conditioner because we had to start acclimatizing ourselves for hiking in the Grand Canyon. We finally arrived in Whites City, NM, and set up camp at an RV park 7 miles outside the caverns. We ate our first meal on the backpacking stove and finally had some time to relax.

We woke up early today (Sunday) made breakfast, and headed towards Carlsbad Cavern National Park. For those of you who don't know, it is an underground cavern that is full of the most interesting, amazing, unique, distinct, jaw dropping limestone rock formations. It honestly felt like I was in another world. I could describe it more, but I would do it no justice. The pictures I put up will hopefully wet your appetite, but even the pictures are nothing compared to the experience of walking 800 ft underground. Definitely another "bucket list" item for everyone and anyone.

Well that's about all I did over the past few days...I know, kind of boring. Anyways, I am currently blogging from the lobby of the information center and have to let Nat get her blog in before we get out. (p.s. I am looking to create an online photo album to link to this blog. Anyone who knows of some good, FREE, programs let me know.)