NATIONAL PARKS AND MONUMENTS IN NEW MEXICO ARE OPEN AGAIN NOW THAT THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN HAS ENDED. THAT INCLUDES BANDELIER NATIONAL MONUMENT NEAR LOS ALAMOS WHERE LEN SCHEEL WORKS AS A VOLUNTEER. HE SAYS EVERYONE THERE IS EXCITED TO GET THINGS UP AND RUNNING AGAIN.
SCHEEL TELLS 770 KKOB THE TIMING OF THE SHUTDOWN WAS BAD, SINCE BANDELIER MISSED OUT ON BALLOON FIESTA CROWDS. HE SAYS ON A NORMAL FIESTA DAY, THE MONUMENT USUALLY GETS 800 TO A THOUSAND VISITORS.
OTHER FACILITIES THAT ARE REOPENING IN NEW MEXICO INCLUDE CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK, WHITE SANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT, AND THE GILA CLIFF DWELLINGS.
