Spelunking

I just can't go over to Bend or Sunriver without crawling deep into a few holes in the ground. Some people call this caving, others call it spelunking. 

It's so fun to escape the 100 degree weather and climb down into a cold cavern. These caves are always about 50 degrees so you need to wear a coat, and a headlamp...at least if you want to be able to see and keep your hands free, just in case you trip over fallen rocks.

It's easy to find these gaping openings in the landscape. You can't miss these lonely ladders sticking up out of the ground. And it's so much fun to climb down into the dirt. It always reminds me of Lord of the Rings and Middle Earth.

It's difficult to get any good photos when you're in total darkness but here are a few.

And when you crawl deep enough into the earth your eyes will start to adjust but then you'll turn a corner and you'll see the way out. It's a simple sign...light at the end of the tunnel.

I always try to find new caves to explore. One day I hope to be able to rappel into the Arnold Ice Cave. But first I'll have to build up my upper body strength to hold my own weight as I lower myself down into the cave.

How bout you? Have you ever wanted to crawl down into the Middle Earth? ;D

HOME AGAIN

That week went by sooooooooooo fast. But here are a few pictures from our time away. This is Lars and me getting ready to descend into Boyd Cave.

It was a great get-away. We had a wonderful time together - caving, swimming, biking, and running. I never made it to the rock wall at The Mavericks to climb (which I really wanted to do) but you can only do so much in one week.

Here are a few photos of our time in Bend, Oregon.

Boyd Cave was a great way to spend a day. We were climbing over rocks and moving around in the dark. I think these pictures came out really well for how little lighting there was in that cave.



Here's my little sis crawling over what looks like a cave-in inside Boyd Cave - and there were quite a few of those inside that cave.

There were eight of us who went together (me, my husband, two of my three kids and Kenzie, plus my sis, her daughter, and her daughter's boyfriend) to spend the week enjoying a little fun in the sun at Sunriver - even though we spent a couple of those days underground.

We went to Skeleton Cave - we've been there before, years ago and went in to explore the cave - but it has been vandalized and is barricaded off now - it's such a shame. So, there was no way we could get in there again. I wanted to go to Arnold Ice Cave but didn't realize you have to rappel down the side of the rock to get inside. I'm a little too out of shape for that right now. Maybe next year.

If you're going spelunking, remember caves are cold about 55 degrees. So you need to wear a sweatshirt, hiking shoes, and carry flashlights or lanterns. If you forget these things, your day won't go so well. But caving can be a lot of fun, as long as you're not claustrophobic.

If you're not into caving, you can visit Eastlake or Paulina Lake - both are beautiful.