To the Moon and Back

We blasted off to the moon and back on a short 24 hour adventure where we met up with the Tolman family for our first ever Cousins Camp. We brought the girls. Tolman's brought the boys.


Since working at Timpanogos Caves 10 years ago, I've desired to check out Idaho's lava tubes. Finally made it! The smell of raw earth while in the tubes had me craving more cave time... and a headlamp. Who in their right mind forgets headlamps when they go caving? That would be me. Good thing my flashlight fit in my mouth so I was hands free. I was wishing I had some Park Service coveralls and leather gloves so I could crawl into a few holes that interested me. Next time I'll plan better. I did manage to hit my head on some sharp lava rock, slip on some ice and crawl through a few random openings.

Mick and Abbie and I entering Boy Scout Cave- my favorite of the bunch!

This trip had been a long time in the making, but I'm happy my girls were able to enjoy it with me. Craters of the Moon is a child's play place with all its rocks, caves, cones, trails and sunshine.

Abbie on the Cave Area trail where hot lava once flowed underneath.

Kala and her her awesome planning skills had us visiting almost the entire park in 24 hours, sans wilderness. In between touring the park, camp was set up, meals where made, cute Cousin Camp T-shirts were decorated and the kiddos had fun biking, building forts and climbing limber pine trees.

Cousins in their fort.

Wildflowers were in bloom atop the ash of the landscape. This picture does little justice to the color and diversity of the beautiful meadows we saw, nor does it adequately instill a sense of respect for such stalwart flora in a seemingly dead soil base; but boy was it breathtaking to behold such beauty. Biology is magical. God is creative.

Everyone enjoyed an attempted run up Inferno Cone. Until they got halfway up and found the slope continued beyond what is seen in this picture.

Abbie marveled at the sparkly lava rock and lone limber pine atop the cone.

Perkins 5 on top of Inferno Cone.

Tawna and I at the Spatter Cones.

Filling our nature cup, Josh, Ammon, Tawna and Aspen and I went hiking the 3.5 mile North Crater Trail at sunset. It was by far the best part of the trip. No people, beautiful vistas, deep craters, majestic old snags and little noise except footsteps crunching the dusty ash under foot. A must-do hike for any trip to The Moon.

Atop Big Craters

Who can resist pictures by a felled snag with awesome roots and a lightening/fire scar?

The following morning had us circling Broken Top cinder cone and visiting another cave. Abbie and Liberty were hiking troopers for almost two miles. Dad was tough for carrying a few tired legs.

Fun trip. Now where to go next year?