Jonners' Canterbury Tales

Posted on August 16, 2007 by jonners99No Comments

Beth had talked a few times of Carlsbad Caverns having been there with her church group on the way back from Mexico some years earlier.They are indeed magnificent with stalagmites and stalactites of an array of shapes and sizes. Beth’s photos do not do it justice the place is huge and beautiful… and thankfully for me cold. We spent about 5hrs of today underground and it was lovely. The walks were amazing and the guided tour whilst a little drawn out was impressive. The guide gave the story of the cowboy who discovered the caves and it seemed very difficult but exciting work. When we emerged from the cave at 4:30 we went off for dinner at a place called Chilis before heading back to Carlsbad for the main event. At dusk every night 300,000 bats come out of the cavern to search for food. They form a black cyclone that is quite extraordinary to behold. Unfortunately after a while it just becomes more bats and is a little dull but the initial rush is exciting. When we got back to the motel sleep came quickly as we had done quite a lot of walking.

Posted on August 15, 2007 by jonners99No Comments

Today began our great American road trip that would encompass the surrounding area. I intend to put photos of each day up with the entry.
Our day started with the drive out of Colorado which started at 8am and took us past lunchtime. We stopped a few time for rest stops and for lunch and it didn’t seem to bad. When we passed into New Mexico, however, we drove roads which were straight for 10 miles with desert on either side and these were the dull ones. Corners were relished as we crossed the state. In the afternoon we got a little lost in Roswell, where I was able to buy some swimming shorts and have pictures next to alien images on buildings. We arrived at our final destination of Carlsbad at 6:45 after covering 589 miles. I did not feel too bad afterwards as the scenery and the company were different so there were things to talk about. I enjoyed my first dinner which was a Mexican and was quite a nice large portion that kept me full. When we returned to the motel Craig, Beth and I went for a swim and then I went to bed sharing a room with Craig.

Posted on August 14, 2007 by jonners99No Comments

This morning I awoke at 6am bright eyed and bushy tailed or some such nonsense. At 7:15 after checking that I had everything packed my mother, sister and I drove to Gatwick. Checking in at the US Airways desk took a while and then I had to join a deceptively long security queue. I got a bit confused that they didn’t take my photo at security but apparently that is for domestic flights only. I spent about 20mins nosing around the tax free shops before they put my gate up at which point I walked quickly (but far too early) to the gate. I then had a joyous 40min wait at the gate before the started boarding the flight. Once on it I was sat next to a guy called Jacob from Indianapolis whom I spent most of the flight talking to. He had been working at the world scout Jamboree and had been over in England working at a campsite for three months, he enjoyed his time.
The flight was long and arduous as I watched 300 and Blades of Glory on the tiny screens in the chair in front (not complaining but the system broke twice during the flight). After a slow and dull 9hrs in the air we finally arrived at Charlotte (after my many attempts to get the immigration forms right in the flight) Luckily we were the only people at customs and I could tell that entrance to the country depended almost entirely upon which of the visibly gun laden officials you went with. I was lucky not to get the guy who turned everyone away instead getting one of the jollier ones. I therefore got through before most Americans did. It was the wait at baggage that took the time. Once my friend and I were through the baggage claim (made more difficult by a fault in my suitcase making the handle stick up) we went for a meal at somewhere I can’t remember I just remember having chicken breast, beans and a battered gherkin. After my new friend got on his plane at 5:45 and disappeared into the sky I went and sat on one of Carolina Airports ‘famous’ rocking chairs. It was in fact very comfy and so there I stayed for a good two hours while trying out Sim City on the DS which is maybe a little too fiddly for such a vast and expansive game. I will play it more but may well sell it on when I return to England. I also read some of my Jasper Fforde book. Eventually an hour and a quarter before the Denver flight was scheduled to leave I headed over to the gate and sat outside it. Soon a message lit up saying that the flight was over booked and so some people may not be able to get onto the flight. This had me worried for a good half an hour until I got onto the plane and was able to take my seat.
Craig had ever so helpfully instructed me to stay awake through all the flight and it was only on this leg that I failed. The prospect of Spiderman 3 was not enough to keep me awake and after watching some cool lightening storms I slept for an hour or two. This flight really got to me as it was so dull and there was nothing really to do. There was also the annoyance of three different babies who always seemed to be crying. The landing in Denver was good and I met up with the Blombergs (Beth and Craig) sitting at the airport not expecting me yet. We got my bag (they had decided to bend the handle off to save space) and then went off to find food. We got back to the Blomberg’s house quite quickly and I was happy once I was able to crawl into bed.