Todays journey took us from our motel…praise the lord! And thats all that really mattered! It was a dive. When there is a sign on the inside of your door reminding you to double bolt lock and chain your door from the inside at all times for your safety and this is the view….you wanna be making a quick exit!

Onwards and upwards to our first US National Park, Carlsbad Caverns. Slightly bleak landscape and far less lush than the images you’d associate with national parks here, but the big pull is the cave exploring. Thanks to a broken lift we were faced with a 6km steep decent hike into the caves itself and more importantly, back out again!! Was actually absolutely fine, I might not be Kate Moss yet, but I am seriously fitter than back in February thanks to all the walking, hiking, carrying my entire life on my back and surely hundreds of thousands of stairs.

Was really beautiful inside, but in true childish fashion mainly spent the time looking for comedy rock formations, Luke and I found these ones including one that looked like a giant boob and I’ll let you judge the others for yourselves!! examples below! #highbrow

Made it out alive contrary to some of the fears of the group and watched others remortgage their houses to cover their bill in the gift shop! I have learnt some serious restraint over these last 3 months. In full travel wanker mode, I now look at items in terms of ‘how many days holiday’ is that item costing me. Plus there’s only so much stuff a 5ft 6 woman can carry. Taking actual and ‘brain pictures’ as my mementos from this trip, and a postcard or two. Must.try.to.resist.all.the.shit ……some days that’s much harder than others!

Following our night in Carlsbad, we continued our drive west. Coffee break stop was in Roswell, home to the famous 1947 “incident” where there was a suspected alien landing and subsequent heavy duty government cover up. Man has that town clung to that possibility for 70 desperate years. Quite confident after just 30 minutes there that if there are alien life forms…they would not have bothered landing in Roswell….it’s a shithole! Bought a postcard, took comedy alien pics and promptly left!

Long drive through New Mexico that afternoon, baron wastelands every which way you looked, just as Breaking Bad would have you believe. Could just imagine my new best friend Brian Cranston emerging from an RV in his pants any minute.

Next stop was Santa fe, adorable town amidst the long open roads. We had a couple of hours to wander and I decided I needed to spend those on my own. The group are heroes but 3 months of company and only 4 days on my larry was inevitably going to catch up with me.  And when all you can feel is the overwhelming urge to punch someone in the face you know it’s time for a break from humanity!

Had a nice wander soaking up some art culture, history of the town, cute boutique shops and a peaceful sit in the cathedral park before meeting up with the group.

Dinner was Mexican ……again….yay….. so pushed some sad looking nachos around my plate and waited for the dessert menu. Always encouraging when dinner is accompanied by a disclaimer advising against eating the chilies and that the restaurant bares no responsibility for subsequent consequences!

Venturing into the deep desert tomorrow for home to the Westerns, Monument Valley and onto the epic views of the Grand Canyon. Things are heating up with temperatures of 102 predicted for whilst we are there…await attractive burnt to a crisp pics, coming soon no doubt! Xx