64 - Going Deep in Carlsbad Caverns!

Our 2nd port on our Eastern Caribbean Disney Cruise was St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands.   We split up at this port with my husband and son going snorkeling on a catamaran to see turtles and tropical fish while I went on the "St Johns - On your own" excursion so that I could explore Virgin Islands National Park.  

Join us as we visit the Top of the Baths National Park on Virgin Gorda during our port stop in Tortola, British Virgin Islands.  We explored via Disney Cruise Excursion: Tour The Baths at Virgin Gorda – With Lunch", (TT04)

Join us as we set sail on Embarkation Day on our first Halloween on the High Seas onboard the Disney Fantasy! 

A long weekend exploring the area around Monterey to find birds and just enjoy hikes in nature! Hampton Inn San Jose AirportHilton Santa Cruz/Scotts ValleyMonterey Birding TripsElkhorn SloughSeacliff State BeachNatural Bridges State Beach

We end our Southwest Adventure with stops at Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Franklin Mountains State Park. 

Exploring Carlsbad Caverns National Park including the Bat Flight program

We explore White Sands National park and Alamogordo, New Mexico! Links:White Sands National ParkInfo on sledding at White Sands

2 days of fun in Santa Fe! Links to places mentioned:New Mexico River AdventuresOldest House San Miguel Chapel (Oldest Chapel)Loretto ChapelSpiral Staircase storyLa Casa Sena (appears to now be closed)

A couple of days in Albuquerque exploring.  Key links to things we visited. Embassy Suites AlbuquerqueLa Luz TrailSandia Peak TramwayRoute 66 DinerChurch Street CafeHistory and Ghost Tours of Old TownMuseum of Nuclear Science HistoryNexus BreweryPetroglyph National Monument

Highlights from our visit to Petrified Forest National Park - Links:Petrified Forest NPPainted Desert DinerPainted Desert InnPark Route 66 Information and PicturesNewspaper RockTrail Info - I highly recommend downloading the trail maps in an app like All Trails before you get to the park so you have a map.  Most of the park has minimal cell coverage. LaQuinta HolbrookBienvenidos Restaurant