K3: Carlsbad Caverns

Such a wonderfully busy day!  I don't know how to write about it all, so I'm just going to highlight the day.

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• We woke up in the morning to one gosh-awful stench in our RV.  I figured it was because we hadn't actually used the toilet, so I grabbed the disinfectant pouch and flushed the toilet.  Not much help.  Mark, using his dog-sniffing skills (inherited from his father), discovered the shower was filled with backed-up, stink-filled water from our "grey tank".  In other words, all the water that we had used for the past four days had filled the tank.  The RV must send the overflow into the shower.  No problem if we hadn't filled the shower with all our extra sheets and towels!  What a mess!

• Although we tried to avoid it, the tanks had to be emptied.  Both the black tank and the grey tank.  Mark and Glo were CHAMPS, not flinching once even though we used the word "sewage" several times in 15 minutes.
• Swimming.  Even though I doubt we had no e-coli on our bodies, psychologically it felt good to jump in a large pool filled with chlorine.  Besides, the temperature was already in the 90's, and it was only 10 a.m.
• The Animal Game.  Although we switched it up.  A ball, kids jumping in the water, "Batman Meets the Riddler" lines, and me, laughing until my sides hurt.  Johannah said the funniest part for them was seeing me laughing.
• Macaroni and cheese, made by the master himself.  It only took 45 minutes to boil a pan of water, and it only raised the air temperature in the RV to around 85 degrees, but hey, it was delicious!  Mark was the Master Chef, and we were all so happy.
• Carlsbad Caverns.  Words can't describe how amazing the place was.

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• Junior Ranger Program.  Yes, it's for children 7-12 years old, but when seven kids approach the desk, what ranger is going to say "no"?  Turns out, everybody enjoyed it.

• Going for the mandatory 1/2 mile hike for the JR program.  Aunt Larisa stays behind, checking email.  A ranger approaches her and asks if she's going into the caves.  "Yes, as soon as my kids get back".  Ranger:  "The entrance closes in five minutes.  If the kids aren't here by then, you won't be able to go down."  For the love of all that is holy, please answer your phone, Mark!  Nope, but Hannie comes through.  Watch the kids running back to the cave entrance in 101 degree weather.  Well, everyone was running except Rachel and Kai. :-)

• The caverns.  Again, words can't describe them.  When we have the option (after hiking for 90 minutes) to go on another 60-90 minute hike, Ashley pipes up, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.  I think we should do it."  Everyone agrees.  I love these kids.

• Watching the bats exit the cave at sunset.  We had no idea what to expect.  The ranger told the audience that there was to be no noise.  No talking, no whispering, and no pictures.  We waited until we heard the sensing device begin clicking.  Seconds later, circling bats exited the cave.  They were noiseless as we were as was the desert.  We watched them for over 20 minutes.  I must admit that I got emotional.  Between the beauty of the caves and the beauty of those amazing animals, it was one of those "moments" that I will never forget.  We didn't want to leave.

• Dinner at "Chili's".  We all wanted a square meal.  The wait was 35 minutes, but I knew it would be longer--it is QUITE the place-to-be in Carlsbad, NM.  We walked over to Wal-Mart (where we had parked the RV), went shopping and headed back.
• Laughing at dinner.  Kailee and Mark are hilarious together.  Again, it was one of those moments where I was laughing so hard that I forgot to take a picture!  
• It was only 20 minutes back to the RV park.  I headed to bed as did a few others, but the hard-core campers stayed up playing poker.  Nice chips, kids!