Arrived safely in Carlsbad, New Mexico.  It was a rather short trip from Big Springs, Texas.  Drove north to connect with Rt 180 west.  Seems the speed limit is 75 mph even on non-interstate highways here.  Highway conditions pretty good.  Scenery still pretty green.  If you were to replace the sagebrush with palmettos, it would look like Central Florida.  The town of Carlsbad is an upscale, modern, neat and clean town with many good shopping places, though entering from the east is misleading.  All the oil, gas, and mining activity, with the surrounding trailers and storage sheds, make it look like a depressed area.  Then you get closer, make a right turn, and proceed into a whole new world.

We are staying at the Carlsbad KOA, the first KOA to live up to its reputation that we have seen.  Large well-groomed slots.  The office is in a nice store with connecting restaurant.  Special events are planned for special days.  A sheet of paper is given to you that lists how to find places of note (including the caverns) and how far it is to them.  A very helpful attitude and atmosphere.  Only downside is the terrible Wi-Fi.  You have to go to a back room of the office to attempt to gain access to the internet.  I finally gave up and drove to the McDonalds in town to use their free Wi-Fi.

You can tell that the air is drier here.  As I set up the motorhome for the night, I did not sweat like a fountain, as I have up until now.  The flying insects also are very few.  Overall, a very nice area.  If planning another trip through this area, I would plan much more time here.

Passed through Hobbs, New Mexico, just across the Texas border heading west.  Bill Hobbs asked us to see if he has any rich relatives out here in oil country.

Entering outskirts of Carlsbad from the east

Carlsbad KOA RV Park. Notice our slot on left with auburn Jeep.

Closer view of our slot.

This little guy spent both nights under our motorhome and hopped out in the morning.