The Grotto, Santa Monica Mountains, California

Don and I have lived in Southern California all our lives, but we had yet to see The Grotto. The recent Malibu fires renewed our interest in the area and we went to visit The Grotto.

It was a pleasant hike in with vegetation around. We followed the creek down about a mile and found interesting slot canyons and The Grotto. It’s not in total darkness as the name implies, but you do get a good sense of being in a cave, especially with the waterfalls.

There’s also good exercise involved with all the boulder hopping, climbing, scrambling and dodging of the stream involved in getting to The Grotto. Located near Malibu and the ocean, the drive to and from adds to the pleasure of this trip.

Let’s go!

-Lisa

Monument Valley, Arizona

Monument Valley is one of those places where time stands still literally. Just driving through seems to take forever and the landmarks are farther than they look.

There is a reason so many films have been made here. The monoliths are spectacular. And the coloring of the landscapes evokes painted pictures from the masters. The Indian Reservation in Monument Valley keeps the old way of living alive in the present. The scenery is barren but rich in beauty and stillness.

Let’s go!

-Lisa

Montezuma’s Castle, Arizona

This may be a small site but it is still impressive to visit. Perched atop a steep cliff is a well preserved Indian cliff dwelling left from the Sinagua culture believed to be 1000 years old.

How these ancient people were able to build high in the limestone cliff is still a mystery. It doesn’t take a long time to be able to enjoy Montezuma’s Castle, so it should be a definite stop if you’re ever traveling through. You will be glad you did.

Let’s go!

-Lisa

Caving in Hawaii

Don and I went five times to Hawaii for caving expeditions. We were busy exploring the longest lava tube on the big island. This cave also held the record for longest lava tube in the world during the late 1980s.

We also went caving in all the caves in the Hawaiian islands that we could, wild and commercial. The slide show on Kaumana Cave and the Petroglyphs, all called out as tourist destinations on maps are there, as well as cave trips in assorted wild lava tubes. Do not try and venture into the wild lava tubes as the locals do not welcome visitation and have closed off access to all but the commercial ones.

Don and I were once chased off lands with a wild lava tube that we knew of, before we got to venture in. They were not happy about our being there. But you don’t have to worry about that or even break a sweat with our slide show.

Let’s go!

-Lisa