carlsbad | Small Home

And, on to Colorado

27 04 2018

Ft. Stockton RV Park

From Del Rio, our travels are a bit more quick paced as we settle into single nights across west Texas and eastern New Mexico. Our first night is at Ft. Stockton RV park where we spent a night on the way south. Then we’re off to Artesia RV park, located about half-way between Carlsbad and Roswell, NM.

With first hand knowledge of the terrible section of highway 285 between Pecos and Carlsbad, we reroute north to Hobbs, over to Lovington and across to Artesia. This route is better, but there are still plenty of oil or natural gas rigs running around. In fact, we’re amazed with the number of pumping rigs along highway 82 east of Artesia. This must be one of the highest concentrations of rigs in the Permian Basin. You can literally see hundreds of rigs and 4 or 5 burning flares from anywhere you look along the highway.

Hundreds of Drilling Operations east of Artesia

Arriving in Artesia, we find a pleasant oasis of green grass and tall trees surrounding the “overnight” section of the park. More long-term RV’s are relegated to what looks more like a gravel parking lot.

Artesia RV Park, Artesia, NM

From Artesia we spend one night at the Las Vegas, NM KOA and then make the relatively quick transit over Raton Pass into Colorado. Our last night of the 2018 Spring Road Trip is spent at Lathrup State Park outside of Walsenburg, one of our favorite parks in the Colorado system. We’ve spent 71 nights at 25 resorts and parks, and traveled about 4000 miles. Once again a great time, of course spent with great friends and family along the way. Happy Spring!

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: artesia, carlsbad, ft. stockton, koa, las vegas, lathrup
Categories : Spring Road Trip 2018

The Underground Caverns

17 03 2015

Carlsbad Caverns – Giant Column

After some morning work, we’re parked at the Carlsbad Caverns Visitor Center by around 2pm. We quickly buy our entrance tickets and are on the next elevator for the 750 foot decent into the underground rest area adjacent to the “Big Room”, the largest single cave in North America. We’re on the self-guided tour that will take about 90 minutes to wander through the Big Room with signs pointing out the most notable formations such as the Bottomless Pit, the Giant Dome, Rock of Ages and Painted Grotto. For even more information, a recorded audio tour can be rented before descending into the caves. After the cave tour, we wander around the exhibits and make a quick circuit of the gift shop. By around 6pm we’re back at the trailer for a quiet evening. Tomorrow we’ll be headed south again, into Texas and the Central Time Zone. Our goal is Ft. Davis, home of the McDonald Observatory.

Carlsbad Caverns – Dolls Theatre

Carlsbad Caverns – Giant Column

Carlsbad Caverns – Twin Domes

Carlsbad Caverns – Totem Pole

Comments : 1 Comment »
Tags: carlsbad, caverns, new mexico
Categories : Texas Roadtrip 2015

Carlsbad RV Park and Campground

16 03 2015

Carlsbad RV Park and Campground

Last time through Carlsbad we stayed at Brantley Lake State Park on the north side of town. This time we’re parked at the Carlsbad RV Park and Campground, just south of town on the National Parks highway. This former KOA is a bit of a dusty relic of its former self. With over 100 sites, we manage to end up in one of only about 6 “F” row sites that have grass and a few trees around. The remainder of the sites, which appear occupied by somewhat full-time residents, are lined up on a gravel field behind the main office. Our sites are up against the entrance fence, closest to the highway but far enough away that the traffic noise isn’t a concern. These “F” sites offer only water and electric, but there is a dump station onsite. The staff is very friendly and goes out of their way to make sure to answer any questions, providing the latest National Park newspaper and a glossy magazine of all there is to do and see in Carlsbad. Renovation seems to be going on everywhere, from new tree planting to new a new hot water system in the showers and almost constant cleanup of wind scattered trash and dog messes. It’s obvious that they are trying to rehabilitate this campground.

Our original plan was to try for a site at the Pecos River RV Park. This tiny (only 18 sites) is right downtown and backs up to the Pecos River. But, with spring break in full force, there are no available sites there. And, with a visit planned to the famous Caverns, this location will work well.