Oil rigs as far as the eye could see.
Big semis pulling out huge containers.
Dust storms.
But, seeing the mountain range come into view after going through so much flat land was amazing. It was Coco's first time seeing something so large looming on the horizon... needless to say, she was impressed.
The park has a fantastic visitor center with interactive exhibits and wildlife displays. Coco made Junior Ranger and started working on her Junior Paleontologist badge.
***Home school science has been a cake walk lately. We have been immersed in so many different habitats and terrains. It has been hard to take all of it in. ***
The Guadalupe Mountains National Park was our first "destination". Every other place has been part of the journey for sure, picked because it was part of the path. This was the first place we marked as 'must see'. It's also where we picked up our National Park Pass and had our first real dry camp (i.e. boondocking).
We arrived at the park pretty early, set up (made sure everything was secure as the wind was gusting at 60 mph) and toured the visitor center.
The next day we got up early (for this crew), put on our hiking gear and hit the trail. The long, steep, rocky trail. It was four hours up and fourish hours down.
Coco was absolutely impressive. I am in awe of her 'charge ahead' attitude. She went for it, didn't complain, and took the lead at times. My girl is going to do great things. She will change the world.
I was slightly terrified in some places. Apparently I have some serious anxiety and fear of sheer (and not so sheer) drop-offs and ledges. There were real tears and freak outs and I was going to quit several times. But then there was my Hubs.
Sherpa Hubs. He held my hand. He guided Coco and myself over some of the sketchy parts. He was the coach and captain. The ONLY reason I made it to the top is because he motivated me and supported me (he did give me an out at the very bottom, middle and almost top of the peak~ but I am stubborn). He was perfection.
I know I am waxing poetic about Hubs, but there are times in a marriage and a life when real change can happen. When we grow together or apart. This whole trip has been about togetherness. But I felt very apart. Not because I couldn't physically do it. Because mentally it was a mindf@!k. And we are better and stronger and more together than ever before. It totally snuck up on me and we as a partnership and family learned and loved.
This particular adventure was Team Airabess all the way.
Coco was so stoked (albeit extremely tired and went to bed earlier than she ever has EVER) and talked Hubs into getting up with her early the next morning (I stayed back with Ms Willow) to hike another pretty intense trail. They left before the sun was up (and it was raining) and made it back before 10 (because the weather was getting worse they couldn't finish). They were dripping wet, cold, but smiling. My people. I love them so much and in moments like that I feel like my heart might explode.
We left the same day about an hour later and headed up the road into New Mexico to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The cavern entrance is at the top of the one of the mountains. So we made it a quick trip through the park... totally worth it by the way. Coco's eyes were as big as saucers as we took it all in. We tried to take pictures, but they just don't capture the vastness of the caverns. It's enough to have the mental memories.
It's a good thing we made it a short excursion because when we came out of the caverns it was snowing and sleet was a definite possibility. Not so much fun driving the good ole RV Airabess down and around an ice covered road.
For tonight and tomorrow we are tucked into Whites City, New Mexico. Staying warm and recovering from one of the most incredible family weekends we have had so far... and that's saying something.
***
Next up? We haven't decided yet. We had a plan for the next few weeks, but the weather isn't exactly conducive to the route we had planned. We were going to go to Roswell, because, well... how fun, right? Don't think that is going to happen now with this weather pattern and we don't really want to stay here. So maybe back to Texas for a bit, or maybe not. We did get a little taste of it (Roswell) though when we checked into Whites City. They really own the whole thing down here. From stuffed everything to Native American (not so authentic) souvenirs. There are bats (an homage to the Caverns) and pueblo style architecture.... all in the smallest town I have ever seen.
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