Caving Trip III

Our first caving trip is such a success we all decide to gather for a one-year anniversary.

August 27

From 2004-08-28 Meramec State Park

We arrive at Meramec State Park while it is pouring down rain. When it stops raining we pick up some pizzas and eat them at the park. We go to sleep with the sound of rain pattering over tents.

August 28

It rained all night, but most of us are perfectly dry.

From 2004-08-28 Meramec State Park

Both of our groups share day plans and don caving gear in the parking lot of the park welcome center. The ranger explains to the group headed towards Bear Cave that it is more full of water than had been expected. With this warning, he hands them the key.

Those going into Bear Cave must wear life jackets. There is a large underground lake in Bear Cave which explorers must cross to see all the cave.

Half of our group heads the other direction towards Little Scott Cave, fifteen minutes down the road.

From 2004-08-28 Meramec State Park

Zack Reynolds unlocks the grate into Little Scott Cave. Caves are locked to prevent people from getting lost in the cave and to protect the cave from vandalism.

From Misc Images

Climbing down into Little Scott Cave isn’t as difficult as it looks. The floor is only seven feet below the grate and there are handholds to help you lower yourself.

From 2004-08-28 Meramec State Park

Ava climbs along a ledge. We discover this is unnecessary when we find a second way to move forward.

From 2004-08-28 Meramec State Park

All of us halt for our pack lunch. This is a photo of Zack taking a photo. I am standing on a ledge above everyone else. Zack reads some poetry to us about caves.

From 2004-08-28 Meramec State Park

Jill stands next to a formation that looks like the jaws of death.

From 2004-08-28 Meramec State Park

When we return to the entrance, we look up the grate and hear thunder above us. Rain begins to pour down the hole and into the cave. We get more wet and muddy exiting the cave than we did exploring it.

When we reach our cars, we are soaked. This makes for an interesting situation which will later require some good car-cleaning skills.

From 2004-08-28 Meramec State Park

The group exploring Bear Cave decide not to bring their camera. They bring a lot of the cave back out with them (mud) instead. They report how they waded though mud, swam across an icy lake over 100 feet wide, and saw beautiful untouched cave formations on the other side.

All the guys roast our supper over an open fire. Everybody brings way too much good food.

From Misc Images

We hold a dance after supper. Leon shows us a few English Country Dances. We start in the parking lot of the picnic shelter, but it starts to rain so we move inside. Everyone tries to follow the caller’s instructions in this Square Dance. We all retire to our tents tired but happy.

August 29

We decide to split up again into two groups. One group will canoe down the Meramec River to Green’s Cave while the others hike one of the park’s trails.