Friday Feb 28, 2020 Carlsbad NM to Las Cruces NM

Pitiful breakfast at the motel this morning so Deb found a classy place in town, the Blue House Bakery. A converted house with 3 or 4 young folks all over it. Very good, very fast, very friendly, the works.
Today's plan is to hit Carlsbad Caverns National Park and then somewhere within striking distance of Bisbee AZ. We were at Carlsbad in a half hour and free entry with the park pass. We walked down into the cave using the old entrance, about 1.25 miles of easy but steep pathway. Once again, the government does a fantastic job of keeping it simple, accessible, and protective for the long haul.
We hit the main cave and did the big loop around the whole inside, which is another 1.5 miles or so and then the elevator back the 750 ft to the visitor center. Like any of the amazing parks, it is awesome when you see it and then after a couple hours, the awesomeness fades. Not a criticism at all, just what our brains do.
So then it's time to head west and the only way to go is Rt62, which has no services 90 miles or so. Cruise control, no traffic (skinny two laner) and a few podcasts made quick work of it, and the scenery is pretty alright with big flat open on the east side and mountains on the west. Lovely.
We hit El Paso and the ugly strip outside, stopped for coffee and bathrooms, and then north to Las Cruces. Ended the day a bit early but there is not much more west of here and this puts us 4 hours from Bisbee. Feeling like it is time to stop moving after two weeks on the road.