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Carlsbad, New Mexico

Oh boy, the first placard of my tour. One placard talks about the area's geology and the other educates me on the Chihuahuan Desert, one of the four great deserts in western North America. And by the looks of it, the desert I'm standing in right now starts in New Mexico and stretches south quite aways into Mexico. I don't remember learning about this desert in school as a kid, do you?

Ah, there's a little footpath here, let's investigate.

After a short hike up I pause and take in the view. Here's some panoramic action for your viewing pleasure. Yup, it looks like a desert to me.

Here's another panorama.

Desert plants abound, go figure.