Spunky Spelunkers

Dear Lil' Explorers, 
This summer we kept your little bun buns busy.  So much so that by the first two weeks you were begging for a lazy TV day.  In my mind that is a successful summer break!  I am behind on the blog and all the exciting things we did, yet again but I am accepting of my failure to keep up to date.  Back tracking a month or so, I would be remiss to not write about our spelunking adventures.  
    I wish more people thought of the treasures our national and state parks offer.  We are so fortunate that in our immediate area we can drive but a short distance to one of many astoundingly well maintained, beautiful and varied state parks.  We had yet to explore McCormick's Creek.  Compacted and safe trails, waterfalls, and a little cave to explore sounds like a magical day with you two, even if the temp was nearly 100 and the humidity left us wilted and damp.  We started to the waterfall.  A steep climb down to the creek and boulders that you balance along to reach the falls, you helped each other make it with tender sweetness make it safely.  

Since you have been home for the summer from school, Henry, you have been showing a lot of Hazel love, despite her not always being receptive you asked for multiple pictures with her today and reached out to her on your own to help and watch out for her.  We weren't planning on getting wet but with the sultry afternoon beating down the temptation was magnetic, thus you and the water mixed it up.  

It was a a relaxing pool of water and a chandelier like water fall with lots of water rushing over it combined with rocks that weren't too slippery to walk on that made for such a fun time.  There was the promise of a longish hike and a small cave to explore that dragged you away from the falls. 

We had packed provisions, despite eating lunch before the park because exploring can lead to hangry attitudes quickly.  I love our hikes because you both have so many questions and so many things to say.  I am always softened by, your, Henry's, attention to accessibility and if Daddy could join us on such a trail.  Sometimes it is hard to know Daddy isn't with us because he is at work or because it wouldn't be accessible enough to join us, but he is always interested in your stories and happy that you get the chance to experience as much as you can of this world.  Along the trail we stopped for water and blueberries and apples and sandwiches and granola bars...you guys can't resist a snack.  You climbed up a few trees, ran up and down a sinkhole and down a creek bed until you saw the entrance to Wolf Cave.  At the creek bed, Hazel, you declared it was spooky and wouldn't let go of my hand for the rest of the trip.

A modest little cave that drew you into its pocket in the side of the hill almost quicker than I could get the flashlight to you (Henry).  I stayed at the entrance trying to coax a reserved Hazel to come in, she wasn't having it for a bit.  I would go in a bit but didn't want to leave her alone.  

Even when she started to come in we didn't get far because it was dark and tight and she started freaking out.  

Hazel staring at us from outside the cave.

Honestly, I wasn't looking forward to going too far in, but I would have, instead I would give you a number of steps you could walk in and then turn around and walk back out.  I could hear you counting and see you creeping slowly and with brave intimidation of the dark dripping unknown and the evidence at 30 steps in of some largish animal skeleton that, "LOOKS PRETTY MESSED UP!"  You were relishing the exciting trepidation, but deciding you didn't need to pass the 30 steps and the skeleton once we heard some thunder.  

Henry hoofin' it out after seeing the weird bones.

I had told you some important rules of spelunking...1. Always tell someone where you are 2. figure out a way to keep track of where you are going 3. and don't go into caves when there is a lot of rain.  You were convinced, since I had explained a friend's experience in college who was stuck in a flooded cave with a friend, up to their necks in water that we better hightail it out ASAP as we already saw evidence of flood bringing debris into the cave.  Lucky for us, not, it just got hotter on our walk back and we all felt like we could barely make it.  I couldn't think of anything better than being filthy and  sweaty with my kids and worn out from grand explorations.  

We will return and go further into the cave and find new parks to explore. 
Love, Mama