We picked up subway and then right on to the snow caves. We ate in the parking lot because there were no tables, or lounging area. It was the desert.
The snow caves are part of the 17 volcanoes in Idaho.
This particular cave was a lava tube.
Nathan of course loved the rock talk.
In the cave, it was less than 20 degrees. The bottom of the cave was covered in thick, thick ice.
The tour guide was very knowledgeable about the cave, and our kids asked 14 questions.
Mason just HAD to touch the ice.
Then we went to our next stop.
We were not planning on going to Craters of the Moon, but it was 30 minutes out of our way, on the way home,so we thought, why not?
Mason wanted a pressed penny. The kids went in to the national park HQ.
It was raining, but nothing too terrible.
As we were headed up, we saw our ward friends, The Warners. They are a lot like us. 5 kids same order, husbands work in similar fields, and remotley. And they bought the house I wanted, because they moved here in October too! Haha.
Craters of the Moon is where all the lava rock has settled. 8 of the 17 volcanoes are in Craters of the Moon National Park!
Lucas and Mason hiding from the full on downpour.
At the top of one of the cones you could climb.
All of this is Lava.
Funny Story:
This was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. Nathan and Lucas and Scarlett walk up the hill. (it is a big hill covered in lava rock) then it starts to down pour. I look up the hill and see Lucas running down frantically screaming "it hurts, it hurts" and then following him 14 other people running down the hill. It was hailing like crazy. I don't see Nathan or Scarlett until I see him yelling at her to stay by him so the umbrella could block the hail. What does my 6 year old do? She runs all over the place like a tazmanian devil, crying and laughing and screaming. Everyone is in their cars watching this little girl going in a zig zag pattern all over the hill - and Nathan trying to wrangle her. But, you couldn't help but laugh. They were soaking wet, had ice pellets in their hair and the "storm" lasted maybe 8 minutes. When we talked about our favorite part of Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve they said this was it! Even my kids in the car watching it happen, said this was the best part. I guess this is how my itty bitty wittes make memories.
More Lava Flow!
We drove home and talked about what memorial day meant, and why there were flags everywhere, and the kids were so quiet on the way home. Luckily, we had beautiful views on the drive back to Ammon.
I am so glad we decided to take this mini trip. Woot!
