After a delicious breakfast with Rhonda we hit the road- we knew we had about an 8 hour drive to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico- and wanted to be there for the bat flight at 7:30pm. But we also wanted to take the time to find adventure as we travel, so when we saw a sign for Fort Lancaster and a scenic route- we took it. And we are so glad we did! The drive truly was scenic and went down a beautiful ravine. The signs were easy to follow to the fort. There was a small but well done museum with hands on items for children and informative displays. The woman who worked there was informative, friendly (obviously a Texan), and helpful. There was a path that led around the actual fort site with markers at each of the ruins describing the building that had been there. To walk the entire site is a bout a mile- they also have golf carts if you want to drive around it. We opted to walk- though we only did the main square. One, it was about 100 degrees out there. Two, we were on a time crunch. And three, she did warn us the rattlesnakes were active- and we really did not want to meet one! We turned on the navigation system to return to I 10, and although we were looking for roads less traveled we chose NOT to take the dirt county road the GPS wanted us to take. Instead we stayed on the paved one.
The address for Fort Lancaster is 629 Fort Lancaster Rd., Sheffield, TX 79781. Some interesting facts- in 1869 the fort was home to rotating companies of the Buffalo Soldiers' 9th Cavalry. (They were a company comprised of African American soldiers.) And the US Army's camel experiment passed through the fort several times. And every spring they have a camel festival there!
The first less traveled road we drove. I could not get enough of the big blue sky and puffy white clouds.
Me standing in front of what was once a barracks.
The flag pole in the center of the fort.
Jack on Old Kate- this replica is of one of the camels that is brought to the fort each spring.
Jack as a cavalryman. I could not imagine wearing that wool coat during a Texas summer!
View of the fort site.
More of the ruins
Our second less traveled road came after we entered New Mexico and were heading to Carlsbad Caverns. I am sure there were signs we could have followed- and stayed on well paved roads- but navigation systems like to take you on the shortest route- so we followed "Karen's" directions. (Karen is what my kids named by GPS- after Plankton's computer wife on Spongebob.) So we turned onto Black River Village Road. Perhaps the first clue to this adventure should have been the "road construction" signs- but no signs of any workers etc. Let's just say between the multiple potholes and the cattle wandering on the side of the road, my driving skills were put to the test. In all fairness to the cattle we did see a sign later that told us it was an open range area. To add to the adventure of bouncing down that road was the fact I needed to use the restroom. Driving over cattle guards and bouncing over potholes was not helpful. When we finally made it to National Parks Hghway, I may have cheered out loud when we saw the Apache Trading Post gift shop. I practically ran back to the restroom and was so grateful it was unoccupied! On a side note, I found a beautiful ceramic vase there!
Once my need was met it was on to the Caverns!
We stopped for the obligatory entrance sign photo op. Jack was obviously so excited.
Once we reached the visitor's center we had about 30 minutes until closing to walk around the museum.
Jack enjoyed the chance to experience how spelunkers explore caves- crawling on your stomach to get through.
Once the museum closed we headed to the amphitheater to wait for the bat flight program. Photos of any kind are not permitted during the bat flight, so I don't have any photos of that- but suffice it to say it was an amazing experience. The ranger was informative, amusing, and animated- she really loves bats! Once the bats start to exit the cave she turns off the sound system and every just watches. They did not all come out at once- it was more like waves of them, and they often swooped right over our heads. Mother Nature put on a show tonight.
Jack was excited to see the bats in flight.
This is the Natural Entrance to the cave. It is from here that the bats exit each night in the spring and summer. Because they are migratory bats- they are not there in the fall and winter.
Well, it was a fun filled day of adventure. Jack has already crashed in bed. We plan to arrive at the Cavern early so we can explore some more before we hit the road.
Travel Tip: This one is from my dad, also known as Grampie to his grandkids. He loves to tell them his number one rule of traveling- if the car stops for gas or for anyone else to use the restroom, always take that opportunity to go as well, because you never know when the next chance will come.
