February 29 & March 1: Guadalupe Mountain National Park (GMNP) represents a huge portion of Capitan Reef, a huge marine fossil reef from 260-270 million years ago when the ocean covered Mexico and the Southern US. The actual uplifting of this reef started 15-20 million years ago, exposing the reef as noted in GMNP as well as causing water to flow underneath the surface through porous rocks, creating Carlsbad Caverns.
I have to admit, GMNP is not all that exciting from a visual standpoint. The geological attributes that make it a national park aren’t the big scenic rock formations that you see in Utah and Arizona, but it was interesting to see how it ties in with Carlsbad Caverns.
We managed to pick up a screw in one of our truck tires on the way up to GMNP. Thankfully Tom could successfully change the tire in the safe level parking lot.
March 2: Carlsbad Caverns National Park is totally unassuming as you drive into the park to the visitor’s center. But of course, we know that its beauty and interest lie beneath the surface.
The Traveling Lounsburys 