Best Of

What a weird town name. Of course I researched it, and it used to be named Hot Spring, until being renamed Truth or Consequences, after a radio show in the 1950s. So weird. Love it.

https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/how-did-the-city-of-truth-or-consequences-new-mexico-get-its-name.html

The change of name from Hot Spring to Truth or Consequences is credited to Ralph Edwards who hosted a radio quiz program on NBC Radio named “Truth or Consequences.” In March 1950, Ralph promised to air this show from a town that would change its name to match the name of the program.

The second leg of Thursday was to Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico for a dip in the hot spring water at a riverside spa.

After that it was off to the campground in Lordsburg for rest.

Devil’s Hall (Wed)

White Sands (Thu)

Thursday found us on the road again, this time to White Sands National Park. We did one long hike thru the beautiful dunes, and a couple short hikes to points of interest. Perry was in rare form, at one point taking a diving tumble down one of the dunes.

In the summer, this is probably a fairly murderous hike, but in January on an overcast day like it was, it was extremely nice and leisurely.

I don't think my thigh could fit through there

Already done. Got a green chile burger for lunch in Hatch. A+ burger. Dare I say it? I think it bested Five Guys.

Wednesday was Carlsbad Caverns National Park & Guadalupe National Park.

At Carlsbad, Nicole arranged for us to go on their most challenging cave tour. Helmet, knee & elbow pads, and gloves required. We had to crawl through a narrow box to prove we could do it beforehand, and there were multiple “are you really sure” cautions before we started AND after the first challenge.

(the test - yes that is how actually narrow parts were)

We made it to the Hall of the White Giant after 90 minutes of hiking, crawling, side wriggling, rope assisted climbs, and one extremely narrow 12 ft ladder. Then we turned around and did it all again, spending over 4 hours underground. At the lowest point, we were over 1000 ft underground.

At Guadalupe, we did the Devil’s Hall hike which took us a few miles into the mountains and thru a giant, fairly narrow rock pass. We got back to the car just as the light faded, well past sunset.

Across the street and to the left when you leave the UFO museum used to be a local coffee shop. They had a strawberry shortcake coffee that was 100% legit. Best part of the half day I spent there.