Grand Canyon, Arizona

The Grand Canyon is known around the world for its natural beauty and cutting depth and length. Not too many people have seen the hidden beauty of the canyon which lies underground. Don and I were lucky to be able to backpack down the canyon to see a beautiful cave. The cave is so delicate that we had to take off our first layer of dirty clothing and shoes to protect the fragile cave formations that are pure white and pristine.

The Grand Canyon offers incredible scenery from every angle. Having the vantage point of looking up from hiking down the canyon is awe inspiring with its walls of colored passages. The proportion is enough to make any person feel as small as an ant. One can also feel like a king once they experience the loo with a view. But one must be in shape to backpack and cave in the Grand Canyon. Add rope, climbing gear, helmet and lights to a backpack filled with water for the entire trip and you can see the weight involved.

My breaking muscles on my legs were sore and exhausted once we got to our destination and for once it felt easier to hike up rather than down. I was in the best shape of my life and I still got stiff and sore muscles from caving in the canyon. I was not alone in that regard. Our friends had just came back from a caving expedition in New Guinea and they, too, were sore. And so it goes caving in the Grand Canyon.

Let’s go!

-Lisa

Caving in West Virginia

West Virginia will always be special to Don and I as this was our first trip back east to attend a National  Speological Society caving convention.  The motto then for the state was “West Virginia is for Lovers” and we loved being there for the caves. 

I was quickly struck by how easy the caves were.  You can easily stroll along with a lantern if so inclined.  The caves see a lot of water so they are conveniently solutioned out for ease of exploration.  We were used to the faulting activity of California caves which contain lots of squeezes and canyon climbing. 

West Virginia caves are more like wild commercial caves with nature’s own trail path built in.  Take time and explore this area of our website.  You will get to see inside caves that are now closed off to protect the bat population.  We also got to go caving in the state’s most difficult cave named Roppel with the guys who were leading the survey push.    

Let’s go!

-Lisa

Caverns of Sonora, Texas

Growing up near the ocean, I had never felt blistering heat until I went to Texas. During the day it was 120 degrees and the people we passed looked like they were melting. Driving into the state in the wee-hours we encountered thunder storms. It was the first time I had seen spectacular lightening storms, five different ones scattered in the night time sky. It made me uneasy to drive in it.

They say everything is bigger in Texas and I believe it once I saw the humongous grasshoppers. The saying is also true when it comes to the caves. I saw some of the most unusual and largest wild cave entrances in Texas.

The commercial Caverns of Sonora are worth the trip. The cave is beautiful and houses a famous formation that looks like a butterfly. The camp ground is home to elegant and very loud peacocks which are amusing to watch. Most campgrounds have squirrels, but in Texas at Caverns of Sonora, you get peacocks.

Let’s go!

-Lisa

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky

I always dreamed of going to Kentucky to see the longest known cave system in the world known as Mammoth Cave.  When we went the cave was about 350 miles long of surveyed passage with promise to pass the 500 mile mark by connecting to nearby caves. 

We were there for a caving convention and got to see commercial and wild caves in the state.  I was taken back by the incredible wild flowers that were abundant and colorful.  Above ground or underground, Kentucky is a place to see.

Let’s go!

-Lisa