Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Ape Caves

On Saturday we took a road trip to the Ape Caves near Mt. Saint Helen's. Jenn and Erik came with us. We had enough room in our car for everyone so I suggested we all ride together. I am not so sure Jenn and Erik were prepared for a three hour drive with three boys. HILARIOUS!!

Jenn and Coby

John, the driver

Relaxing in the backseat watching Napoleon Dynamite

Before entering the caves

Making our decent...



Exploring


Erik had a flashlight that was attached to his head (I am sure there is a name for it, but I don't know it). I was so jealous.

It was warm outside but freezing in the caves. We could see our breath.

The cave went on and on and at the very end it got smaller and smaller.

Chance and Coby crawled to the very end.

Me and Gunn at the end of the cave.

Leaving the caves.

Time for lunch.


After lunch I wanted to drive a little so we could try to see the mountain.
After taking John on the wrong road...for a long time...we finally went down the right road (the one John originally wanted to take but I made him turn around and take the other one...oops). We got out and looked around for a while.
then...Eureka!!
The Mountain!!
A side note...There are two different caves to explore. The one we all went through is very easy. Gunnar had no problem going through it. However, there is another cave going the opposite direction that is extremely difficult. Gunnar couldn't do it but the boys really wanted to try. John and Erik took Chance and Coby through the harder caves while me, Jenn, and Gunnar stayed behind and waited. The cave is supposed to take about three hours to complete. Knowing that we were waiting in the car the guys finished it in about an hour and 40 minutes. I guess there were holes in the ground and giant walls to climb over. They loved it and were so glad they did it. Gunn watched Scooby Doo in the car while Jennifer and I tried to take a nap.
We all had a great time. It is a little sad that we have lived so close to these caves and I had never even heard of them. It makes me want to look for other adventures close to home. I will let you know what I find.

6 comments:

Jennifer said...

Wow. I'm glad all nine of my chins made it on your pictures.

We had a lot of fun, though, and your boys are pretty hilarious. And remember, it wasn't a 3 hour car ride. It was a total of 6 with a break in between. I want brownie points for not punching anyone!

Deon said...

Looks like a lot of fun!!! Ucre took the boy scouts there and loved it. He wants us to go when the kids are bigger. Isn't it fun to find those close to home fun things. We are always looking for them too.

J and H Hunsaker said...

I love the ape caves!!! I went in the hardest one when I was 6 months prego with Jared, Jon was i nthe Young Men's presidency back then and they had a activity. So much fun!!!

amie979 said...

That looks way fun...I suppose you can't bring a stroller for baby right:( We'll have to keep it in mind for when our boys are a little bigger....O yeah Milestone NINE chins...very funny but I don't see them

Jaime said...

I know, nine chins...whatever!! If I could look that good with nine chins...I'd take them all. It would be immpossible to bring a stroller. It is really bumpy and rocky. They will love it when they are older though.

Stephanie said...

Damien used to go there all the time; I've only been to ones in UT though. It looks like a lot of fun, too bad the YM always go there for activities, but us YW got the shaft growing up.