Today is a day off. Some passengers head to Lubbock TX to ride sister railroad, the West Texas and Lubbock, while others tour the local oil fields. John Arbuckle , Rick Moser, Chuck Weinstock, and I rent a car and head to Carlsbad in search of local rail activity as well as a visit to the famed Carlsbad Caverns.

After everyone returns to Hobbs, we all gather for the traditional Explorers banquet.