The Cool Down

It was a long hot trip. Once we reached our destination point we set up camp. Unfortunately, the local power company was experiencing rolling brown outs causing breakers to pop off and air conditioners to not function, so we took the kids to the canal up the road and let them cool off and release some of that repressed energy that comes from traveling.


Here Shelby demonstrates the faith she has in her big brother. We made more than one trip to the water hole to cool down.

Civil Defense Caves

Each year when we go to Saint Anthony for our annual sand getaway I try to find something of interest to do as a side trip. We have been to Yellowstone National Park, The Grand Tetons, Bear World, and taken numerous sightseeing drives. This year we went to an area in the desert abundant with lava tubes. One of the larger tubes is known as the Civil Defense Cave, though no one knows for sure why. When you first come upon it, it is hardly noticeable and as you walk up to it, it is fairly unspectacular. But then, as you reach the entrance, you realize just how incredible this cave really is, not to mention cold. The day we visited the cave it was 86 degrees as we descended toward the entrance, as we stood at the entrance we could actually see our breath. We also realized just how massive this thing is! If you click on the last picture to enlarge it you will see Dave and Cody venturing into the cavern. Shelby and I opted to wait on the outside where it was a little warmer and brighter. (We didn't have the right shoes on :( )

Master Tent Builders?

Cody's friend, Eddie, showed up and stayed with us over the fourth at Virginia Lakes, too. The guys decided to tent camp and went about getting it set up. As you can see, they picked just the right spot, no rocks, fairly level ground. They worked diligently pounding the stakes into the ground...



The ground actually turned out to be tougher than some of the stakes; as their metal bodies bent against the pressure.

I Think NOT!!!

No, master tent builders they are not! In fact, they finally gave up on trying to put the stakes into the ground altogether, and instead........

put rocks in each of the corners!