Carlsbad Caverns Oct 5

A lazy morning despite waking up at 6:30AM (still more sleep than I got any night in the cave). Then I got my free tour of the Big Room of Carlsbad Caverns. It was weird entering a cave via an elevator, but they did a pretty decent job lighting the cave and people were generally quiet as they were instructed, which made for a good experience. The self-guided format worked great and it was the best commercial cave tour I've been on. Unfortunately the other tour (historic entrance) was closed because of lightning (worst excuse imaginable). Then I drove to Carlsbad where my plans changed after checking email. Exited Carlsbad under heavy rains and drove a scenic road through Lincoln County, home of Billy the Kid and Smokey the Bear, under lengthening shadows. I got out and walked around at Fort Stanton Cave. It was the West of westerns in all its glory. Really beautiful, peaceful country!