Day 4: Carlsbad Caverns
Greetings earthlings from New Mexico!
This is the Dopeys (the best group ever)
including Tency Lynn, Maddie McCabe, Addison Massey, Meredith Tucker, Baylee Parham, Lilly Felts, Josie Houchard, Amy Hyde, Jackson Collins, and Will Puckett!
We woke up at a dark and very early (we beat the sun this morning) 5:15 am. After loading the bus and van we headed toward New Mexico, while Stu spewed his spicket water. Due to the extreme heat, we even had a few nose bleeds. Our first rest stop was at a Pilot where we refilled our water bottles with fresh water, thanks to Will. We then loaded back on and sang happy birthday to Brice. On the long ride to the next rest stop (because our wonderful bus driver Randy missed our rest stop), we discovered a new rest area with a playground! Our mascot, Gilbert the doll, temporarily lost his head and left leg. He also went through a bus makeover, including new shorts and hair highlights. Our next stop was Carlsbad Caverns. Before arriving at Carlsbad, the van became zombies and the bus played card games and made friendship bracelets. On the way there, the view shifted to deserts, and we rolled into the Carlsbad Caverns as we came back into civilization. After separating into our dwarf groups, we ventured into the caverns on a 1.5-mile hike underground. The caverns were a chilly surprise in the New Mexico heat, and unique and intricate stalactites and alcoves. Here the Dopeys bonded with the helpful Park Ranger Devin and the whole group raided the gift shops. People bought stickers, shirts, water, and postcards. Also, a few participants completed Grant’s ultimate stinky underground challenge ;) We loaded back up to head to Walmart (Wally World) in the home of the aliens, Roswell New Mexico. After buying much needed supplies and having some heart to heart conversations, we headed to our camp for the night, New Mexico Military Institute. Our new cooks, the Grumpys are preparing us hot dogs, mac n cheese, and green beans as we speak. We will end the night with a sing along and sleeping in eno nation.
Over and out, the Dopeys
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| Eno Nation beds down in Roswell, NM |
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| "Lean on me, when your not strong, I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on" |
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| Sing along time! |
Madeline researched the Riverwalk! So cool!
Amy researched the Alamo!
Maggie researched the state of Texas!
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| Addi cheffing up some mac n' cheese for the crew. |
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| Kara cooking up some delicious green beens (they were a hit) |
Tarp Talk!!
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| Do you think Ryan and Rocco had their pre workout before this? |
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| Chef status for the Grumpys |
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| The Buc-ees apron made the food taste top tier. |
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| Gilbert leading the group in fifteen pushups so we can sleep at the New Mexico Military Institute |
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| Cam giving his research on the New Mexico Military institute. |
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| Zoey giving research on UFO's!! |
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| Happiest of Happy Birthdays to Brice!! |
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| Aeden keeping that van clean |
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| Kat refueling us so we can make it across the desert |
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| Hunter being the gentleman he is holding belongings. |
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| They got the Buc-ees shirt memo today!! |
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| Family photo in front of the Carlsbad Cavern sign! |
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| Smile if you completed Grant's underground stinky challenge |
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| The forbidden elevator ride... That got stuck... Just a little... |
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| The Dopey's pointing at the finger in the cavern |
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| Spiderman Hunter |
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| Dopey pic in the caverns having a blast! |
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| Jackson is so goofy! |
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| Hunter got hungry in the caverns. |
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| Lilly and Meredith cheesing in the Cavern |
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| Rocco, Madeline, Kat and Zoey exploring. |
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| Dopeys had to take a .5 in the caverns! |
Woah, interesting formation!
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| Photo time for the Happys |
Say cheese :)
Dopeys are ready for the caverns!
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| Headed into the Cavern |
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| Dopeys! |
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| Bashfuls! |
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| Sleepys! |
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| Happys! |
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| Grumpys plus Randy!! |
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| Sneezys! |
Jackson sharing research on the state of New Mexico!
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| Sally giving her research in Carlsbad Caverns. Go Sally!! |
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| Are you a caver? |
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| Learning about Carlsbad caverns from Ranger Devin |
.5 pics for the win
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| Moments before Hunter went splat. |
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| Gilby's head on Dallas' finger at the rest stop. |
Playground fun! :)
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| Hunter trying to repair barbie Gilbert after he lost a leg |
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| Gilbert taking a ride |
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| Alex goes for a spin! |
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| Zoey enjoying the playground |
Bathroom lines are so much fun :/
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| Randy taking us to the bougie rest stop |
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| Patrick so slumped. |
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| Barbie Gilbert traveling across America |
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| Selfie with Dallas |
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| The bus catching up on some sleep after our first night outside |
Aedan was a wee bit tired :)
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| Sally getting some sleep, what was she dreaming about? |
