Surprise visitor

Hi Friends,

Been a week for surprises. Today I was working in the cave, and a gentleman came up to me and asked if I used to work in Clearwater, FL. It only took a second before I realized the man in the ball cap was a ranger from HISP in FL. Ranger Mike was visiting relatives in Dallas, TX and decided to make a sidetrip to Carlsbad Caverns. It was fun to see a friendly face from home.

So who else is coming out to Carlsbad Caverns? Only a few more weeks here in the desert before the big move north to Glacier... I'm sure I'll see a few friends up there!

Love ya,

VAL & JOHN

Change in Plans

Hi Friends,

There has been a change in our summer plans. I was offered a job at Glacier National Park, in Montana. Many of you know that Glacier is our ultimate favorite National Park. So when the call came through, it was a very easy decision. I contacted Mesa Verde, thanked them for their offer, but declined the position there for the summer.

Both John and I are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO very excited. We'll be leaving NM about the middle of May (date to be determined soon). We will start our journey with the cats, RV and car to St. Mary Montana. It's on the east side of Glacier, on the edge of the Going to the Sun Road.

If you'd like to see the view from the visitor's center I'll be working on, click on:

www.nps.gov/glac/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm and select St. Mary.

A few more weeks here at Carlsbad. Looking forward to a change of scenery...

Love to all,

VAL & JOHN

Busy week

It was a very hectic week at the Cave. Who knew so many people made Carlsbad their spring break destination. Attendance for the week ran from 2400-2900. Normally, that would be busy, but with the two main elevators out of service until July (or possibly later), it was crowded. Elevator lines were over an hour most afternoons. I'm glad I won't be here for the summer. Dealing with long lines for a week or two is exhausting. I can't imagine doing it from Memorial day all the way into July!

Some hiker friends of ours visited this week. We got to see Tara and her family visiting the cave for their spring break. Mark and the kids went on my King's Palace tour, and then Mark, Rosie and Logan did the Lower Cave tour in the afternoon. They seemed to enjoy the cave. We went out for Mexican food dinner later that night. They've got great kids, who were well behaved and polite! A true delight to spend time with. Too short a visit with them, but they had more adventures of their own.

I'm looking forward to our change of location coming up in two months. Should be another fun adventure!

Love you and miss you,

Val & John

Spring break

We drove up to Ruidoso yesterday for a change of scenery. It was pretty in the mountains and some of the leaves on the trees are starting to bud. Still rather dry in Carlsbad. Other than the snow we had last month, there has been no rain. I suspect if we had some rain, the trees and bushes would be budding here as well.

It's spring break in many parts of the country. We're on holiday schedule this week at the cave. We're expecting long lines to exit the cave in the afternoon as most of TX has break this week. The main elevators are off line. They are way behind schedule for the repairs, which were supposed to be complete by mid May. Now they're saying July! In the mean time, we're using the secondary (AKA freight) elevators which hold only half the people the main elevators handled.

The RV park is crowded, too. I haven't seen this many tents since last summer. I think some nights this week, we'll be booked solid. A friend from Glacier will be here later this week with her family in their pop up camper. Looking forward to seeing them.

It's when my friends visit that I realize how lucky I am to be working in such a beautiful cave. Being inside the cave, day after day, I tend to take it for granted. When a friend comes, and I can share its beauty with them, I remember how I felt the first time I saw it as well.

If you're planning to visit, you still have a few weeks. We'll be leaving here in early May to head out to Mesa Verde in south west CO. You're welcome to visit us in CO as well.

So the question is now, do I continue with this blog or start a new one????

Love ya all,

VAL & JOHN

Red vs. Green

The ultimate question in New Mexico. No, we're not talking about your favorite color... we're talking about chile peppers. I have never been a big fan of Mexican food, and I don't generally like food that is 'hot' as in spicy. My idea of Mexican food is a bag of tostitos with some picante sauce and melted cheese!

Last night we went to a pot luck dinner which served Mexican food. Many of my friends are excellent cooks, and they brought enchiladas and tamales. I enjoyed them both, but I thought they were 'hot'. Talking to the cooks, they tell me they made it mild! LOL

So if asaked the question again - Red or Green, I can now honestly answer 'Green'.

Hope you're all doing well.

Love,
VAL & JOHN

Summer season

Hi Friends,

Wanted to share with you some good news. I was offered a summer seasonal position today at Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. We plan to leave for Colorado in the beginning of May and I'll be there at least until early September. For those of you who are interested, here's the link: www.nps.gov/meve

Mesa Verde National Park is in the south west corner of the state. I went there many years ago as a kid with my family. John and I went there again a few years ago and did a few of the Cliff Dwelling tours. I will be leading those very tours this summer!

Excited about our new adventure and relieved that for a few months, I don't have to apply for seasonal jobs! We'll keep you informed...

Love to all,

Val & John