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End of Summer Hike

Hi! My name is Nancy and I have no common sense.

After working a full day, I loaded up the kids and we drove to the canyon where we hiked up to a cool hole in the mountain. We saw stalactites, stalagmites, and other crystals of calcite that have been forming for a few million years.

The real treat, however, was gaining 1,000 feet elevation in 1.5 miles.

I. Thought. I. Would. Die.

Did I mention the sheer cliffs beckoning my children to fall or push one another off? Don't think they didn't try, either. I held a little four year old hand tightly all the way up and all the way down. Except when I was carrying him.

My favorite part about the trip was our very own tour guide. In case you can't tell, the teenager is wearing the official shirt, hat, and carrying the supercool flashlight. All 3 miles up and down she had interesting information regarding the history and geology of the cave and surrounding area. At the entrance she turned into a BATS (Behind a Tour Specialist) and pulled up the rear of our group, kindly reminding children to not touch the speleothem and closing doors behind us. What a great and responsible young woman.

I'm glad to have survived the hike just so I could watch what she is becoming. An amazing and confident young woman.

Although, it might have been an interesting school report:

Comments

  1. bluecottonmemoryAugust 20, 2009 at 3:16 AM

    How funny! Were you praying the whole time, "Please God, let me make it home with all of them alive and no medical bills?" You are one brave mommy!

    ReplyDelete
  2. GinaAugust 20, 2009 at 4:39 AM

    Mad, Mad, Mad woman!

    ReplyDelete
  3. June Freaking CleaverAugust 20, 2009 at 5:55 AM

    What's the plan for the end of Fall? A forced march through a swamp? What happened to a walk to a park that doesn't have dangerous precipices?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Life with KaishonAugust 20, 2009 at 5:57 AM

    Oh my gosh. I just laughed so hard at your little letter at the end : ). You are a fun Mommy! And all the kids, and you, are still alive! So way to go!

    ReplyDelete
  5. CGWAugust 20, 2009 at 8:54 AM

    Oh how brave you are! But it sounds like you had fun, despite the fear of immenent danger!

    ReplyDelete
  6. AmberAugust 20, 2009 at 10:08 AM

    I can think of sooooo many other things to do besides trying to die from heart failure. You know, while you were at Bear Lake this summer, you should have gone to Minnetonka Cave. Much easier, no dying.

    Still, I am proud of you for surviving the adventure. Love the note, I think my daughter has one on hand for the next time we (I) do something stupid.

    ReplyDelete
  7. JoanAugust 20, 2009 at 10:31 AM

    Where was the Daddy? They are nice for hauling 4 year olds on their shoulders.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The JensenitesAugust 20, 2009 at 1:38 PM

    And that is why Cameron has refused for two years in a row to haul our herd up there - he's scared to death of those cliffs and free falls. Maybe next year. It's a wonderful hike for a morning of exercising - love it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. RachelAugust 20, 2009 at 3:26 PM

    Oh my gosh! You are a brave woman! :)

    Found your blog from Mama Kat! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lisa Page RosenbergAugust 20, 2009 at 3:53 PM

    Be very careful. All of this extreme exercising could become a habit.

    ReplyDelete
  11. JeanetteAugust 20, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    You are a brave woman! Love the school report.

    ReplyDelete
  12. JennersAugust 20, 2009 at 6:40 PM

    This is hilarious! Sounds like something I would do. And the "what I did on vacation" was the icing on a very funny cake!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Mama KatAugust 20, 2009 at 7:06 PM

    I can't even walk across a bridge without nearly having a heart attack watching my kids. Good for you and your memory making though! I bet they loved it!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. WendiAugust 23, 2009 at 11:02 AM

    How do you tell the difference between a stalagtite and a stalagmite?

    That's not a joke. I really want to know.

    ReplyDelete
  15. A Musing Mom (Taylorclan6)August 23, 2009 at 11:06 AM

    Stalagtites hang on "tight" to the ceiling. Stalagmites are rooted with all their "might" to the floor. Helactites are much smaller and hollow doing curlie cues.

    Tempted to make the hike? Take it slow. Take water. If you have access to oxygen, take that, too. But only if you are a wimp like me.

    ReplyDelete

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