Busy Week

Mid week we were invited to play volley ball with some of the people I work with. It's been about ten years since either John or I played, but it sounded like fun, so we went. I should also mention that most of the other players are half our age. We were playing upstairs in the Rec center in town and it was hot, but we managed to hold our own. The next morning we were both sore, having awakened muscles rarely used... To be honest, I'm still a little sore.

Last night we went out to dinner at had a wonderful meal at "Trinity". Carlsbad, NM is not known for its restaurants (or shopping). Mostly chain fast food stores, and a few local places, whose hours vary, and they don't always stay open for their published hours. A fellow ranger told me the place was good, so John and I decided to check it out. I had the halibut with tomatoes, olives, and I'm not sure what else. It was fabulous! John had manicotti and neither of us left a crumb on our plate. It's been a long time since we truly 'dined out' and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Today I finally got John into 'Slaughter Canyon Cave'. It's one of our off trail caving tours, which requires a 1/2 mile hike up into the canyon, gaining 500 feet and then entering a cave. The cave is a cool 62 degrees, which was quite welcome considering it was in the 90's to lower 100's today. He found out how difficult it is to walk around a cave when there are no man made trails and other than the flashlights we were carrying, no natural light. There are many active speleothems (cave formations) in SCC, unlike Carlsbad Caverns, which is mostly dormant. Slaughter Canyon Cave is towards the top of the mountain and with all the rain we've had, it's actually been quite wet in the cave. It was wet today, but we managed to get around to a few of the more interesting formations.

Long week next week, too. Working six days next week, as we're having a 'Star Party' on Saturday which coincides with the National Parks "FREE WEEKEND". The Perseid Meteor showers will also peek next week. For those of you who enjoy star gazing, get out there and watch. Did anyone get to see the Aurora Borealis last week? It's on my bucket list, but we were too far south to see them. :-( Someday...

VAL & JOHN