We left Albuquerque after we got a glimps of the morning balloons. On the way down to Carlsbad we stopped in Roswell, NM which is famous for the UFO crash there. We then continued on to the KOA in Carlsbad. Had to get gas along the way, found a station and this is the first time I've had to back out of a gas station! Gas is more reasonable here, about 2.50 for 88 octane. We went into the park to see the bats fly out of the cave. We were a little early so took a 9.5 mile scenic ( dirt ) road. Got to the bat cave right on time. Nice talk by the ranger, but it seems it was too cold for many of the bats to fly out.

Geni: Got up and ready to leave but we were entranced by the balloons once again. This time they were coming towards our campground, so we got a different perspective. We pulled ourselves away and left for Roswell. Once again, the roads were long, flat, straight and had pretty much nothing between Albuquerqe area and Roswell. The same was true from Roswell to Carlsbad. Visited the Roswell Museum that showed documentation that the UFO crash was real. They also documented how it could not be real, so nothing new. Lots to read and we just couldn't keep up. Got to campground and then to Carlsbad to see bats leave the cave. Because it is cold and late in the season, the bats have either left or just didn't want to come out in droves. After the informative ranger talk, everyone pretty much left. We are convinced we saw at least one little bat leave the cave!