Sunday, November 2, 2008

Timpanogos Cave

The day was cool, school was out, and dad was home. We decided to tackle the mountain: a 1 1/2 mile hike up 1000 feet of mountain to the cave.

The smaller one started out enthusiastic at the beginning, complete with walking stick.



About halfway up the walking stick became a pulling stick. Yay for dads to pull kids up mountains!


All along the trail there were various warning signs:

I thought this shirt was very appropriate for this particular day's work. Check out the tough guy expression.

Note to mom: It's not cool to smile if you're a boy over the age of 11 1/2.

Good to know.

See the red line behind this cute girl. These lines denoted the danger zones where rock falls frequently happen. We were instructed NOT to stop and take pictures while in the red zones.

So of course we had to. But at least she is watching for falling rock! So that makes it okay, right?


Near the top we were thrilled to arrive at this historic stone building. Why, you ask?

After 1 1/2 miles and 1000 feet, combined with the implied threat of "LAST CHANCE" for bathrooms - who wouldn't take advantage of the opportunity to relieve oneself in a cool place like this?

My oldest was particularly relieved.

Get it? Relieved? hee hee!


Well at least they got it! Sheesh Nathan. Get a sense of humor already!

The cave was amazing, but my camera phone wouldn't do it justice, so you'll just have to go see it for yourselves. My favorite part is always the place where they turn off all the lights and it's pitch black and my eyes bulge out trying to pick up any trace of light. Except this time I was a little chapped because there was a kid with light-up shoes who kept shuffling around and RUINED the moment. SMACK. At least it was dark so no one saw who hit him.

It wasn't me!

11 comments:

  1. As a mom of kids with light up shoes, I believe I shall have to challenge you to a duel. En Garde!

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  2. I went there in 1958 or 1959. I didn't realize that it was 1.5 miles up that long ramp. I would need a pulling stick now. Did you see the friction fault line? Turned to glass from the extreme heat.

    Cute kids. How long ha Nathan been smileless?

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  3. hiccups - I said it wasn't me!!

    obg - Since the end of September.

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  4. Wow sounds like a lot of fun. Could we do it next summer when we come for the reunion? I need to start training now.

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  5. Yea that is always a happy day when the almost teenage boy looses his smile. Don't worry it will come back in about 5 or 6 years.

    Very entertaining commentary. Thanks for sharing.

    I did hike up Timp once when I first came to BYU as a freshman. I thought I might die before I got back, I hope because of the altitude and not because I was so out of shape. I don't remember much about it except the near death part.

    Now I am glad to see your pictures becaue for sure I am too out of shape to make it up there. I will live vicariously through you. That works for me.

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  6. I never hiked the TIMP...at least not yet...but now I am going to have to try it since you make it look like a lot of fun!

    BTW...email me at blokthoughts@gmail.com and we can figure out a time to take your family pictures! Does Bribery work on the 11 1/2 year old for family pics? I'm not above bribing! :)

    I'm excited!

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  7. Ha ha ha ha ha. Hilarious photos. And commentary. I got a kick out of all those warning signs/pictures. I guess they have to cover their bases.

    CUTE KIDS! Your oldest girl looks just like you.

    Cute husband too. (for a bishop)

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  8. I loved enjoying the vicarious trip up the mountain! Great pictures! You make it sound so fun I wish I could go again. We did do it once because I remember the dark part but I can't remember if it was the year before the bishop was born of if it was on a later trip visiting the area. It was definately in the good old fit days!!! It would take more than a pulling stick to get me up there now! Tough guy does all the stunts except smiling!

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  9. Haha you make me laugh! Also I rather like that oldest daughter of yours, did you know? Yeah, I kinda do. I should be her friend.

    Oh yes and one time for YWs we hiked to that cave and I almost DIED I kid you not. PLUS there's rattlesnakes. You forgot that sign. Its the scariest one if you ask me. At least you can get out of the way of a falling rock as long as you are watching for it like our dear Susan demonstrated. But NO. Snakes FOLLOW YOU. They are out for the kill.

    That is all.

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  10. Oh wait thats not all sorry.

    I also learned on that trip to NEVER tell your YW leader's husbands that are accompanying you on the trip that you have a severe phobia of snakes. They tend to not be super sensitive about it. Quite the opposite, actually.

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  11. I did that hike back in September of '99... I remember the date so well because I had my son a week later... NEVER attempt that hike when 9 months pregnant - (duh, like anyone ELSE in the world is quite that stupid!) Trust me, those last chance restrooms were quite a relief to me!

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