Well, it’s not too often this happens, but yesterday Quentin and I got to do something really different and interesting. We went caving. Now, we’ve both been to Carslbad caverns and Kartchner caverns. So we had a little bit of the “been there, done that” attitude going on. We were in for a surprise.
Pete, an experienced caver and a friend of a friend, invited Heathers “Roots and Shoots” group to go caving with him. (It’s kind of a camp fire/cub scouting type of group for boys and girls.) Apparently, the caving community around Tucson, keeps a list of caves that aren’t known to the general public. Hence, basically protecting them. The cave we went in, according to Pete, was a very easy cave.
That’s Quentin’s helmet and me right behind him going through the entrance.
Well, 3 minutes into the adventure, I knew that I was going to have to write off my pants and my shirt, if I was going to have fun. We’re talking crawling on your belly, grabbing rocks and pulling yourself through holes so small that you have to turn your torso just so to get through. The big decision on each passageway was “head first or feet first.” The pack I was carrying with drinks and extra flashlights came off immediately and had to be carried and passed through holes. Carlsbad cavern, this was not.
Needless to say, Quentin became very useful very fast. I would have to hand him the backpack, and he would shine the flashlight so I could see what I was doing. Adults were at a distinct disadvantage and I think the kids LOVED that. Everyone had to wear a helmet and had to have two flashlights. At one point Pete told us all to turn off our flashlights to see what the cave really looks like. Amazingly total blackness.
I told Heather after I got out that she HAD to go next time. I asked Quentin after we got home if he liked caving and whether he wants to go again. He said “maybe.” (“Maybe” is Quentin’s highest praise for an activity.)
If there’s a next time for me, (fingers crossed,) I would be wearing old, old clothes, knee pads, gloves and a decent helmet with a light.
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