Our Spelunking Adventure: Ape Caves

While camping at Swift, we decided to head down the mountain a ways to the Ape Cave Lava Tube. A few of us had been there before, but it was fun to go again and take the kids. We went on Saturday so Adam could come with us. I was surprised at how much the kids enjoyed it. Synnove, though her tiny flashlight was quite dim, led the way with no fear whatsoever. I don't think she complained even once during the 1.5 mile hike in the creepy/cold/dark/slimy cave! She did have to go to the bathroom when we got to the end so she had to squat in the cave (sorry fellow spelunkers!). Soren wanted to fit into all the little nooks and always wanted to travel the paths that were more difficult. It was a really long and often rugged walk for such a little guy. He loved it until about halfway back out. He was exhausted and whined and cried most of the rest of the way. No nap + swimming + caving + hunger = cranky little boy!

We had pretty wimpy flashlights...Fi Fi carried around Uncle Don's bike light. We were desperate.

Soren insisted on wearing his play safety goggles during the ENTIRE camping trip. He even slept with them the night we came home.

Soren wanted to sit on the top of that little lava bridge but we couldn't quite get him up there. He was disappointed.

Fi Fi and the kids went as far as was "safe" for the little ones to venture at the end of the cave.

Soren wanted to keep going...but it was getting to the point where Fi Fi couldn't fit.
Synnove and her plumber's butt

Soren in one of the little nooks etched in the cave wall

We finally made it back!

Uncle Don took some great shots with his fancy camera...I can't wait to see them!