Photo: Carlsbad Caverns National Park

After seeing Carlsbad Caverns on The Travel Channels: Top 10 Wonders of the West, I set a date for the following month. I had been in caves before, hell, you could say I grew up hanging out in caves in Southern Indiana. But nothing, I mean nothing could have prepared me for the astronomical size of Carlsbad Caverns. I knew as a traveling photographer that I probably wasn't going to be let in with a huge tripod. I also knew the absolute only way I was ever going to get out of there with decent photographs was a tripod. Enter Stage Left my 6.25" Mini Tripod, all hail the savior that is the mini tripod. Which I must point out is a really great conversation starter while in a cave apparently. I was in fact the only genius there at the time who brought one. Carlsbad Caverns is everything you could hope for in a cave or even wildly dream about. You walk through the paths partially lighted and actually feel like you have entered a mystical alternative universe. The stupendousness makes you fell humble, the noiselessness makes you feel relaxed, and the bats - well they just make your jaw drop.