Duane-
I went into the Geo Pit two days ago and the screens had already caught
about $1.50 in change, a LED flashlight (still dimly shining), a wrist
watch (still working), a water bottle, and a few other bits of trash. Only
one coin had missed the screen. It had apparently bounced around and
fallen into the pit before the first screen. The floor that the rest of
the crew was working on is looking good as well. I had a couple of people
down there and they were admiring your work. Good job and thanks to you
and the COG for all the work!
-Tom
Tom Bemis
Physical Science Technician
Cave Resources Office
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
3225 National Parks Highway
Carlsbad, NM 88220
Duane,
Thanks a bunch to you and the other COG folks for your excellent work on
the National Geographic Pit screens. The COG did an excellent job of
developing an environmentally friendly and effective method of preventing
items under the influence of gravity from entering the pools in Lower Cave.
Thanks for donating the supplies and your time. Your work looks great,
performs well and is much appreciated. Please let the other COG folks know
how much our office appreciates your innovative work.
Stan Allison
Stan Allison, Cave Technician
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
3225 National Parks Highway
Carlsbad, NM 88220
Your request for a copy
of a letter has been forwarded to me, and I am enclosing it below. We are
happy for you to post it on your Web site.
All we ask is that you clearly credit the Current-Argus where it was first published.
Thanks for your interest,
Martha Mauritson
Managing Editor
This past weekend I had the pleasure of meeting a group of very
interesting people, two in particular, Mark Miller and Dale Amlee. They
are cavers, known as "Central Oklahoma Grotto" based in Oklahoma
City.
They come here to Carlsbad once a year to clean up our biggest tourist
attraction, the Carlsbad Caverns. They are not funded in any way.
On average
I was told that at least 12 people from this fine group travel
to Carlsbad on their own time and money, to come here and do something
that could and should be done by area locals. They told me that this is
out of the love for their hobby and that they love Carlsbad and the people
in it.
With gas prices increasingly
high and getting higher every day, surely by
the time they make their next trip here gas prices will top the $5 a
gallon mark. I was very impressed by their passion for our city, to travel
so far on their personal funds.
I'm calling on any area
restaurant and motel owner (Mr. Mayor) to show
these people just how hospitable we can be by giving them a free motel
stay and a free meal or two, if just for one night, and just show a little
appreciation for their dedication.
They told me they have done
this for several years now, and plan on coming
back next year.
They also have a very interesting
web sight (www.okcavers.org)
that
everyone should take a little time to check out. The Caverns is getting
publicity on this sight.
So come on K-bad, let's
give back a little. If anyone is interested in
giving them free rooms or meals, please contact them through their
web
site.
Thank you.
Kathy Kelly
Carlsbad
Date Updated: Sun, July 1, 2007