United States Carlsbad Caverns National Park

“I chose to follow the winding path to the natural entrance and eventually descended 750 feet into the cavern. As you wind down the path and get closer to the actual cave entrance, you can feel the air pressure and relative humidity change. It will remain constant for the rest of your walk. As you get deeper into the cave and further away from the opening, the outside light will disappear and the only illumination will be from well-placed and very subtle lights throughout the caverns. Eventually your eyes will become accustomed to the lower level of light. And it is at that moment that all of the nonstop formations will reveal themselves to you. One after another. No matter what path you take, they will be there. It never ends. They will take your breath away! You’ll also notice that it is quiet. Even though there are other people near you, they will be quiet too. When you pay attention, you can hear and maybe even feel an occasional drip of water. In some places there will be small ponds hundreds of feet under the ground. The quiet and low light only enhance your connection the surrounding beauty.”

“For me personally, it was a mystical and almost spiritual experience. I don’t think that I have ever felt as connected to the majestic forces of creation and nature as I was during my descent into and walk through Carlsbad Caverns. When I left the caverns two and half hours after entering, there was a sense of energized peace and gratitude flowing through me, and even several hours later my entire body still felt calmly alive – almost a slight vibration!”