We met up along the way with Prince and Princess number one and ended up at Timpanogus Cave. We picked an early tour as to beat the heat on the steep hike.

It was $7 for adults and $5 for kids.
You have to pay $6 a car load for a three day parking pass for the canyon. If we had thought about it, we probably should have explored the canyon while we were there but after the hike we were hungry and hot so we left and found a place to eat.

They also have warnings about rattle snakes on the trail. Glad we didn't run into any.
The caves are actually three caves found at different times by different people. The park service dug tunnels through to connect the caves in the 30's if I remember correctly.
I couldn't believe all the different formations. As I walked through, I couldn't help thinking it kinda looked like what I would guess our colon looks like. I know that is gross but look at some of these formations. It was interesting to see all the different colors of formations as well. Black, white, yellow, green, purple, brown.

I only got dripped on twice. There are places in the cave where you have to bend, go sideways etc and the ground is a bit slick as it is always wet but they have done a great job of making it as safe as possible.
The hike had more fear with the steep inclines and no safety fence at some scary looking places than did the caves. However, I wouldn't want to be in them in an earthquake as the fault line goes right through the cave in several places.
Wish now we had explored the canyon as well. :-( One impressive thing. There were "Power Walkers" that walk up and down the trail daily. They lapped us. I asked the ranger about it and she said some of them do the trail three times a day. She knew someone that did it 6 times in a day. I was impressed. The girls and I felt like wimps stopping to rest every few switchbacks.
There is one bathroom out-house style near the top which isn't a pleasant experience so make sure you use the facilities at the bottom.
Wear sneakers or hiking shoes. Some were wearing flip flops but the hike down is steep and I can bet there has been more than one break of a flop on the way down. Tighten your shoes before heading down. We all complained that our toes hurt on the down side from sliding forward in our shoes and I ended up with blisters from that and took my shoes off near the bottom and went bare footed for that reason. Also, a shoe with tread is good in the slippery cave.
All in all, the girls and I had a fabulous day. It was worth the trip. I'm looking forward to more outings this summer.
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