I didn’t have much time at El Malpais National Monument (NM), so I only have photos and no fun stories to share. I didn’t check out the lava tube caves, for example, but since I’m claustrophobic there certainly would have been some fun stories there. Like maybe I crawled partway in, the tube got smaller, I got stuck, had a panic attack, tried unsuccessfully to claw my way out while Sam whined at the opening and did not run, like Lassie would have, to get a park ranger to rescue me. And then I died.
Ha ha! Sure am glad that didn’t happen. What did happen were a couple lovely walks amidst lovely rocks and scenic views.
The View. Malpais translates to badland in Spanish.
Quit looking at the view and go get a ranger to rescue your mother, for crying out loud!
The path out to an overlook.
A big, impressive rock. (It’s given the small arch on the right of center an inferiority complex.)
My favorite shot, which has very little to do with the El Malpais landscape, but there we are.
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Beautiful shots. I prefer the color ones in this set, personally. 🙂
As for claustrophobia – normally I’m not. I mean, when I was a kid, I used to crawl into my closet with my bedside lamp on an extension cord and curl up and read for hours. That still wouldn’t bother me. It was cozy. But a few years ago – well, gosh, maybe 10-12 years ago now – we went to the Gold Bug Mine in Placerville, California. Our elder son was maybe 12-14 years old, which is how I’m estimating how long ago it was. He and I went in. It was a dead end in a straight line, maybe 50 feet into the side of the hill. There was a dim light bulb at the far end. But it was PITCH BLACK in there. I’m not afraid of the dark, but there was something about the place that freaked me out. I think maybe it was that it wasn’t overly roomy, and I was kind of skittish about hitting my head, or not knowing *exactly* where the walls were, or something. I mean, you seriously couldn’t see anything except that light at the end of the non-tunnel. We made it down to the end – very slowly, because I was creeping along – and then I said, “Okay, Brian, let’s get the heck out of here. I turned tail and I was GONE. Bizarre.
Deborah – A cozy, lit closet is one thing, but a pitch-black unknown tunnel is another. I don’t blame you for your reaction!
I love the tree/clouds photo! Spectacular!!! ;->
Virtual hugs,
Judie
Thank you, Judie!
The photos were really beautiful. But I’ve seen beautiful pictures of Malpais before, but the trees/cloud picture was absolutely drop dead gorgeous!
Martha – Thank you for the kind words! They mean a lot.
Beautiful shots, Deonne. We really love this afea and were sorry not to have enough time to come back to camp.
Thank you, Susi! I’m so grateful to live near these wonderful parks.
Gorgeous shots. I love reading about your adventures. Just saw your quote below–“If you can’t be a good example, then you’ll just have to be a horrible warning.” – Catherine Aird–love it. Keep up the inspiring work. xx
Thanks so much, Stephanie! Glad you love the quote like I do – that and “life is short, don’t wait” are the words I live by.
Oh poor little arch. Someone should tell her that curves are sexy! 😉
Love the photos.
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Manisha – Agreed, but you know how it is – size matters. 🙂
Lovely shots. Glad you didn’t try the lava tube caves since op your sweet pup seems to be about as worthless as mine when it comes to going for help.
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Emilie – Ha! He does bark at strangers outside Sadie’s door, so there’s that.
Oh, the tree/cloud shot is STUNNING.
Thanks for the kind words, Mel!
Very pretty and I am sure Sam would have run for help!!! LOL
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Sherry – Yes, let’s be optimistic about Sam’s Lassie-esque qualities. : )