Kartchner Caverns State Park

We picked up and moved 150 miles further west today - 1 day ahead of

our planned schedule.  The move was due to an incoming

Low Pressure System that was forecast to bring winds of

up to 70mph at our last location.  

The prospect of having to drive headlong into the wind

as well and some forecast snow - we decided to move here where I think

the storm will be less developed as it passes.

Our forecast tonight is for 25 mph winds and perhaps some flurries.

The mountains above us are scheduled to get up to 9" of snow.

Our location here is snug up against the base of the mountains, in the lee,

and that along with the trees should keep the winds down and make our

stay more comfortable than it would have been.

Waking up this morning I took an early morning walk in the cold and caught

the sun rising on the mountains.

Soon it was time to wake up the Sleepyheads,

and say goodbye to Rockhound....

And say hello to Kartchner

Kartchner Caverns State Park is a new park.  The caves were

discovered by two cavers in 1974 but they kept the location a secret from

the public for 14 years while they quietly worked to make sure these caverns

would be protected from the commercial fate that has befallen so many

of our natural wonders.

Below - the hills which should help shield us from some of the

strongest winds.

We sit quietly in the trees.  Each site is pretty private and has

an electric and water hookup.

I've built our own mini water treatment plant.

The two white canisters are first a .5 Micron particle filter that filters out minute

particles, rust, cysts, etc.   Then the next is a charcoal filter that provides some

chemical cleaning, removes chlorine, pesticides etc.

Finally the large black container is a water softener that further removes rust

and hard minerals.  No matter how hard the water source, we have triple treated

water to drink and bathe with.

Tomorrow we are scheduled to take one of the Cavern tours.  The tour

is of a section of the caverns that is only open a few months each year.

From what I've read - the rules are very strict in order to preserve the caverns

in their natural state.  You are actually sprayed down to remove loose skin

so that no contaminants enter the underground ecosystem.

Fortunately with Gregs Water Treatment Facility...

 Dry skin - even here in the Desert Southwest - is not a problem.