Throughout these Travel Thursday posts, I have posted a couple stories of our Cross-Country trip last summer. In this post, I mentioned one of our night stays in a very unique hotel – A Cave! So on Day 13 we arrived in Farmington, New Mexico at Kokopelli’s Cave. I have to say I never thought a place like this existed, well maybe in the movies, but not in real life. It was amazing!
On Day 13 of our trip we arrived in Farmington, New Mexico around 5:00 PM and knocked on the door of Lindy Poole’s house, the manager of Kokopelli’s Cave. She invited us into her house and we became instant friends as she talked to us about her life in Farmington, how long she has worked with the Black family (who own the cave) and how much she enjoyed her job. She pulled out a map of the area and began explaining to my husband and I where we were located and where the cave was on the map. She explained that she would lead us up there in her car, as we followed, show us around and then leave us for the night. I couldn’t believe we were going to sleep in our very own cave for the evening! Lastly, she handed us a walkie-talkie, a couple bottles of water and we headed out to our cars. As we followed her up the LaPlata Cliffs, she talked to us through her walkie-talkie giving us a tour of the area, some history of the town, geological features and how the cave was built. We also paid close attention to the directions since tomorrow morning we would be heading back down this mountain on our own.
When we reached the top of the mountain, we parked perched on a rock overlooking Farmington and the LaPlata River; I could hardly believe the view. It was beautiful!! Lindy could have stopped the tour right there and it would have made our journey to New Mexico worthwhile, but the adventure was just about to begin!
We pulled our bags out of the car and followed Lindy along the path trekking down 7 stories, about 80-90 feet, holding on to thin iron handrails and stepping cautiously on the rock-formed staircase on our way to the cave for the evening. We would turn one corner of the rock and lookout at the sun getting ready to set and then turn another direction to look down below at the next set of rock staircase we were going to scale. The last couple steps was a three step ladder and then we were there, the front door of the cave! Lindy slid it open to reveal a 60-65 degree (temperature) oasis as thoughts of the Flintstones entered our minds. These were places you imagined up or dreamed of building when you were kid. This was a complete house with electricity, running water, heat, carpeting, Jacuzzi, washer/dryer and even a fireplace…in a CAVE!! My husband and I just kept looking at each other saying, “I can’t believe this!” Lindy gave us a tour of our cave for the evening, taking us through the living/family room first. She showed us the TV with a monitor next to it which videotaped the front porch so guests can view the little “critters” (as she called them) outside as they approach the doors in the evening to eat some of the food she has left out. Then we moved into the kitchen and dining area with a completely stocked refrigerator, including complimentary wine (red and white). Next to the dining area, was a Navajo Kiva which was explained to us as a Indian ceremonial fire place.
Then on to the bedroom, which was huge! Off the bedroom was another porch that overlooked the mountains, where my husband and I were able to watch the gorgeous New Mexico sunset that evening. Last but not least was the bathroom. The size was nothing much to write home about, but the shower was! Bruce Black, who built the cave, designed it so the water cascaded down over the rocks in the interior of the cave and fell about 7 feet below into a stone Jacuzzi whirlpool tub – this mimicked a waterfall! It was the highlight of the cave!
Lindy said goodbye and left us to play house in our cave for the evening. Soon we were cooking up a storm on the grill outside and watching the sunset, wishing we would have booked more time to stay. How could we leave? Staying at Kokopelli’s Cave was a wonderful experience! We can’t wait to go back again someday.
The Entrance to Kokopelli’s Cave
Sunset off the balcony from our bedroom
The Family Room/Entrance Hallway
The Family Room/Navajo Kiva
View from the bedroom
The Kitchen
I hope you enjoyed today’s post of our adventure staying the night in Kokopelli’s Cave.
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As Nina says, “Every stylish girl knows that when the sun goes down, the heel goes up, and as gravity teaches, all things must come down. And the classic ballet flat will be waiting for you when it does.”
