We set out this morning with one main objective…. Find the rumored selenite mine where good-sized tailings were available for the taking.
First we stopped for lunch at Rattlesnake Springs, a section of Carlsbad Caverns NP where there is a large spring and lots of birds. All the water for the park is taken from here.
Rattlesnake Springs, CAVERattlesnake Springs, CAVE
Then we headed over to the Black River, scouting for fall and winter hikes.
Black River Management Area
Afterwards, we got back on the highway for our true destination… the tailings pile of selenite
Selenite Mine Tailings pile – E & A looking for cool crystalsSelenite crystals are very light and sparkle in the sunSome larger pieces were historically used for windows before glass was cheap and widely availableM and E look for the “perfect pieces”A is over it..The actual mine, surrounded by a fence, keeps the largest and best selenite piece for themselves – to sell i guess…but they’re cool enough to let us scavengers have some too 🙂
So technically we aren’t stealing
Then, since we were already in the area, we decided to check out some camp spots and a cave or two.
The world’s coolest recreation sign ever!Definitely not the world’s coolest caving sign, but a very important one. This cave is a wet one no matter the time of the year, but during monsoon season, it can be deadly!the pit into Parks Ranch Cave entrances
A was more than happy to head into the cavemy boys!
M and I, with A photobombing us
And then we headed home, with a side stop for some much deserved ice cream 🙂
I completed it! I’m happy I stuck with it, simply so that I don’t ever have to do it again. I’ve had my experience, and it has taught me that I’m pretty optimistic (despite what you’ve heard). There are several things each day that make me happy – big stuff, little stuff, even stuff I’ll forget later.
For now, I’m taking a break and when I come back, we will continue where we left off with my garden as well as moving to Virginia.
Today (yesterday because I’m late…) I’m happy to have a wonderful man to come home to each day. It is my Monday and time was moving slow as molasses at work! I was so happy to walk in the door at 8pm and hang out with M, watching OITNB and catching up on the day.
Honestly, today I’m just happy that its my Friday. Its been a long and rough week. I’m just tired! If only I didn’t have to go to work today, life would be perfect.
Day #92 – Came home both yesterday and today to great yumminess provided by my man. 🙂 Working the split shift and getting home at 8pm kinda sucks but having dinner waiting for me makes it all better.
Day #93 – I took my camera into the cave today and got some great shots as I walked up the Natural Entrance. Plus, I’m getting a great workout every time I hike up that 75 floors. 🙂
Day #94 – Rain! well, more like Drizzle! but still…. any moisture is cause for celebration in the desert. We’ve got fog at the cave and hopefully some rain on the way to my garden.
I’m very thankful for our latest round of storms over the weekend. They really helped cool us off! It’s currently 71 degrees in June!
Not so much a ‘cold front’, I’m calling this a ‘fresh front’ as it brought us fresh air. Fresh is border slang for ‘cool breezes’.
Today I got some very expensive photos done… an MRI scan of my knee. Not quite the glamour shots of my youth. However, I’m hoping that this MRI will give us the answers we’re looking for (otherwise known as WTF is up with my knee!)
I’m happy because my insurance covers most of the cost. 🙂
High Rises to Hiking Boots 