Day 11
States: drove through Texas to New Mexico
Sites seen: Sitting Bull Falls
I. Am. Exhausted. Today has been a really great day but I am spent!
We have become experts at tearing down and setting up camp. We have also discovered that the best thing to do on a travel day is to mostly pack the night before, get up super early, transfer the girls to the car, tear down camp and hit the road. This way, they sleep for a few hours in the car and the ride seems less torturous for all involved.
I do hope my children remember these moments for years to come. All over the place today, people kept telling them how lucky they were to be on this trip and how it’s the trip of a lifetime. When we got in the car both girls mentioned this and said that they really are enjoying it. 🙌🙌🙌🙌
Since we left so early, we arrived in Carlsbad before we were able to check into the campsite. So we headed to Sitting Bull Falls. This is a hidden gem in the Lincoln National Forrest. When I say hidden, I mean it is way off the beaten path. It took a long time to get there but was totally worth it. We spent about 3.5 hours swimming, hiking, and exploring. And seriously, there isn’t enough sunscreen in the world to protect me here (maybe anywhere for that matter…).
The following photos do not do this place justice. It is such a different landscape than we’re used to in New England (because 🌵 desert) and it’s so beautiful. I’m really glad we had a chance to hang out here and relax today.
Also, I really cannot say enough about KOA (or Kampgrounds of America). They have been super great. The facilities are wonderful and clean, the staff is super friendly, they always have a pool and basketball court, and other things for the kiddos to do. I’m glad we chose to use them and will continue to do so in the future. Today we were on the welcome sign.
So assuming we don’t die from the heat (currently 102* at 7:30 in the evening) and that our bodies adjust to this (now) 2-hour time difference, tomorrow will be spent exploring Carlsbad Caverns. I hear the caves are a glorious 56* all year round and I can’t wait! Talk to you soon-Deanna
America or Bust 