K-nO-wAy: Carlsbad, NM

It is 8:18 MST on October 5th, 2015. We just arrived at our campsite at the KOA Carlsbad Campground. I am sitting at the beautiful fire Jacob made, listening to the play sounds of my girls coming from the nearby tent as well as the squeaky noise of our resident bat.  (Animal Medicine cards says Bat means Rebirth, love that metaphor maybe more on that as I go)  This is my first experience at a KOA.  Jury is still out.  JD had a hell of a time getting the expensive wood we bought to ignite, certainly not in time to enjoy grilled hotdogs (had to settle for boiled).  The pluses: free Wifi, showers, laundry, a little supply store (albeit expensive and closed at 7 so no chance of obtaining lighter fluid), I think there is a playground and pool. It was almost dark when we rolled in so I am not sure on the pool and playground, I’ll find out tomorrow.

Ok, so first impressions of this area is that it is very rural and flat, although the Guadalupe Mountains were cloud covered  in the distance as we drove into town.  There are no recommended campgrounds within 30 miles of the caverns.  It looks like there are a few campgrounds close but they had some scary reviews on Trip  Advisor. It seems there is backcountry camping allowed around Carlsbad Cavern National Park and you need to obtain a permit.  For these reasons, we decided the KOA was our best and easiest bet but it is 45 minutes from the caverns.  I am predicting some driving back and forth.  (wow, as I write I am being serenaded by a chorus of Coyotes in the distance… that is awesome)  Coyote means Trickster, we have definitely had our share of trickster moments in the last few days starting with the explosion of the shower door yesterday morning just before leaving our cousins’, Colette and Chris, house in Phoenix (Jacob is still finding new nicks from the “tempered” glass).  I had a relapse with the swelling in my knees. Yes, that’s right but am feeling grateful to Chris for allowing me borrow his TENS unit
to try to stay on top of the swelling.  It has already helped a ton.  Right now, it feels like the tricky coyote is having a laugh as we find ourselves ill prepared for this camping excursion in Carlsbad.

Morning assessment:  Brrr. It was cold and rainy last night.  It seems the KOA is more like a truck-stop than a campsite.  Cars were driving in until well past 10pm last night and were departing at 4:00am this morning.  Upon further research of the area Jacob discovered that there is a large oil and gas presence here which might account for the wafts of sulfurey smells that blow through the area.   Jacob slept in the car instead of enduring the kicks and punches from the girls in our tiny 2 man tent (we made the decision to bring our old 2-man tent and then ditch the it after our road trip: good in theory; in practice it is really squishy with all of us packed in like sardines).  No fire and no coffee this morning due to the now wet, un-burnable wood.  This led us to find The Blue House Bakery and Cafe in Carlsbad.  Yay.  That turned all of our sour moods around.  It seems the sun is shining in Carlsbad (20 minute drive from the KOA) and the coffee house  was adorable; a great

front yard with seating tucked in with trees and great energy.  Jacob and I had homemade croissants topped with scrambled eggs, bacon and green chili with the perfect amount of spice.  A great Americano and watching the girls chase a cat around the front yard was a welcomed lightness.  We came back to the KOA (raining here) and upgraded to a basic cabin (named El Lobo or wolf) with beds and a heater.  I think tonight will be much more comfortable.  Jacob is taking the girls to explore Carlsbad Caverns in a couple of hours. I’m gonna sit this one out and take care of the knees.

Coyote, you have taught us to laugh at our follies and research areas better to be more prepared.  Wolf means teacher… I am the humble student in this crazy adventure and am listening.

More photos and the conclusion of the Carlsbad Caverns to come, as well as the post on our lovely family time in Phoenix and Tucson.

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