Colossal Cave and Other Adventures

Collin at the entrance to Colossal Cave 

Yesterday, Collin, along with his mommy, daddy and grandpa, visited Colossal Cave outside of Tucson. Grammy and Ryan stayed home since, as Mommy Laura put it,        "A cave is no place for a screamy baby!"  Grammy was sure a cave was no place for a scaredy-cat grandmother, either.

Down into the cave -
This would have been far enough for me!

They took lots of pictures and told us all about it when they returned that afternoon. Grandpa impressed us with his wisdom on stalactites and stalagmites - "Stalactites stick 'tight' to the ceiling of the cave. Stalagmites 'might' grow all the way up to the ceiling." Isn't he amazing?? I never could remember which comes up from the bottom and which hangs from the top. Now I'll never forget! Collin is learning about nocturnal animals this month, so they were hoping to see bats or perhaps a ringtail, but only spotted one sleeping bat.

Looks so narrow!
I'm sure I would have
had to turn back at this
point, but then I would
have had a hard time
going in at all! 

What a gorgeous view

Another pretty scene

The Khatirs in the Cave

Ranger Sarah checks the mine
for danger (rattlesnakes?)

Two other recent adventures took place at Cave Creek Regional Park, which is not far from where we live.  The first was an after dark scorpion hunt and hike with Ranger Sarah in September.  Armed with a black light and an abundance of enthusiasm, Collin and Grandpa Tom had a blast hunting down scorpions.  Collin had a fabulous time.  Grandpa confessed later that he was a little freaked out about the whole adventure of running around in the desert at night with a little boy who says he "loves scorpions and is not afraid of them."   Yikes.

Tom & Ryan

The second adventure with Ranger Sarah at the park involved bats and a mine. Yikes (again) and time for Grandma Suzanne to stay at home (again). Ryan went along for this trip and Grandpa reported that he hiked along the trail to the abandoned clay mine like a trooper. Collin had lots of questions for Ranger Sarah, which she said were all great questions! I wonder what the next family adventure be..... and if scaredy-cat Grammy will be too afraid to go??

Hiking the desert with Grandpa

   

Friday School with Grammy

On Friday, Collin has been spending the morning at Grammy's while Mommy and brother Ryan head to story time at the library.  We usually do some homeschool related activities and always have fun.  Last week, the weather was so beautiful that we sat outside at the table on our front patio.  

We are at last beyond our "hotter than the hinges" season and the weather is heavenly. In fact, it was almost chilly.  We enjoyed a mug of hot cocoa as we read about Arizona history and did some coloring pages.  Collin is learning about the United States, as well and we had postcards to read from far away family members & friends.  He is eager to learn and it is great fun to help with his lessons.  Grammy learned something new, too!  Did you know that the copper star on the Arizona flag represents the copper mining in our state?  Or that the 13 sunburst rays are for the 13 original colonies?  I didn't, but I do now!