I have seen some butterflies down there too. The best display, I believe I have ever seen, was at the entrance to Grutas de Carrizal north of Bustamante. I have a theory that they all stop off there for a days rest, before travelling further south, and that they have been doing this for many years. However, if they drink the water there, that might explain why they are all dying.
I have another butterfly story. In 1985, I was going to a cave in Veracruz with 2 Mexican cavers who spoke no english and I spoke zero spanish. As we were hiking towards the cave, a butterfly hovered over us and I said "hey, look at the cool butterfly" ( It was one of those big blue swallowtails. Anyways, Jorge pointed up and said "mariposa." That was my first real spanish word that I learned and sort of sparked my interest in learning a little spanish. Later in the cave, when we were swimming in possibly virgin passage, I realized I couldn't communicate with these guys nor could they with me and this seemed rather unsafe. After that, I decided to learn some basic spanish. On a different subject, but related to Grutas de Carrizal, I have another theory. If you are standing in front of the cave on the east side of the spring you are in the State of Nuevo Leon. If you are standing on the west side of the spring, you are in the State of Coahuila. If this theory is true, maybe there should be some kind of monument or something. Also if this theory is true, and you are in the cave following the stream, which state are you in? I am guessing Coahuila, because I believe the state line goes from the spring entrance straight to the peak of the mountain. David Locklear _______________________________________________ Texascavers mailing list [email protected] http://texascavers.com/mailman/listinfo/texascavers_texascavers.com
