Third day -- from Clovis to Carlsbad, NM

Since Motel 6 in Clovis does not serve any kind of breakfast we start up early and enjoy(!) our breakfast at the nearest rest area: home-made chicken-spaghetti soup and Swedish crisp bread. There is not much to say about the east New Mexican landscape at this point, sand and flat, flat sand. Still, what is interesting, is that we have climbed up to 3000 feet after leaving Oklahoma. Clovis's elevation is even over 4000'.

Without much extra sightseeing we head south to Carlsbad Caverns National Park. We hike two hours underground (750 feet down from the natural entrance, which is 8000 feet above sea level).

Conveniently, before dusk we find a campground at Brantley Lake State Park, north of Carlsbad. Yes, there really is a lake, but we take a shower at the campground (we pay $14 for it), since it seems that the lake is meant for boats. So, camping in a desert is not hard (but literally); there are no snakes, no vultures, and no water, as it turns out next morning.


Desert, New Mexico Breakfast at a rest area Cows
More desert Mobile home park We bought some water
Sprinkler Entering Carlsbad Caverns National Monument Motel rooms
Climbing to 8000 feet Cacti The elevation of the land below is 6000 feet.
Only natural entrance into the cave Column Two columns
Almost there Lion tails Campsite at Brantley Lake State Park
Wind Brantley Lake State Park campground Sunset

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