I have been nudging the PIPA leader for this trip for a long time, wanting these girls to have the same fun adventure I have had so many times with the boys. And there was really no movement on this ever happening, until I mentioned it at the Spring campout to the leader and her daughter Kessa. And as I described the trip, I talked about the cool climbs, the few tight squeezes, and the amazing 400 foot dome with a waterfall. Then I said that on the way back, we typically stop at a Pizza buffet new Gadsden. And that is what finally sealed the deal...I saw a sparkle in Kessa's eye right before she repeated "There is a pizza buffet on this trip". Hahaha, and amazingly since Kessa was planning the summer events, I got a text a little later from her Mom, we set up a date, and then our plan was put into motion.
Then Angells, while no longer in the troop, did join up with us (at least Sonja and Rinoa), so I loved getting to see them again, and they have been in the cave 3 times now, so are pros. I asked Sam to help keep me on track just in case I wandered off the path, so he came and invited Noel. And then we had three other girls and their brave mommas join us. It was a great group of 12 which is a perfect size for one group. Sam took the caboose, while I took the lead, and after walking thru this over and over in my head, I made it to the dome with only one minor part that I always mess up, but at least this time, I found my way within a minute, so no one but me even noticed. Sam did critique the pathways I choose tho, so probably alot I could learn from just following him through that first section. Just to make it easier for those following me.
Shaley took a lot of really cool cave pictures that I can never seem to capture with my camera. We took many breaks on the way in, as one mom struggled a bit to get through some of the rocks, but I was so proud of her daughter who kept going back and checking on her, and trying to help her wherever she could. I was also proud of those girls, who I would tell at each small portion to help the girl behind you, and make sure they do the same for the girl behind them, and they did great, all helping each other out. Then when we got to the topless dome, there is a somewhat difficult hold to climb through the ceiling of the cave to get into, and everyone of those girls and their mommas made it thru that hole. We almost always have a dad or two and often some of the boys that will not go up into that hole. Sam probably helped best make this happen by putting his knee up high on one rock to help everyone use his knee as the next climbing point. I would have never thought of that, but it helped everyone get up much easier. It was also nice that the water flowing thru this hole was just a small trickle compared to the flood it was earlier in the year with the boy scouts.
After our lunch in the cave, we started our journey back to the front of the cave, and stopped to let three girls climb into another hole in the roof of the cave. They did some exploring up there, then had to slide back out thru the opening, which the girls starting cackling saying this looked like the cave was "birthing" these girls. Oh well, who ever said the AHG girls never had their own crude thoughts. Kessa scared me to death almost falling on the rock below. But finally all three girls made it back down. And of course, as each one was "birthed" back into our level, the other girls would ask "Is it a girl". And one other thing was cool while waiting for the girls at this point, was another group passed by us going deeper into the cave. Sam looked at the guy leading the group, and said "Is that a Byerman?"...and sure enough, it was Ben Byerman, from our troop leading another group of his friends into the cave. I grabbed a pic of both of them. Ben was one of the Eagle Scouts that watched over Sam and his new crossover scouts when they came into the troop. And the Byerman famiuly are the ones that taught us how to navigate this cave.
Coming out is a lot faster with less breaks, because all are ready to get out, and I think race to the porta potty. But we all came out and got the traditional dirty cave clothes pics. And after some changing there into some dry clothes, we made our way to where Kessa planned this whole day for...the pizza buffet. And from there we all went our separate ways. I was so proud of those ladies and those girls. I was glad that Noel could join us and get pulled into yet another crazy Junkin adventure. And proud of my Belle for another trip through the cave, and just laughing with a big smile while that 400 foot waterfall splashed all over her and Sam. Cause it may be awhile before we get Ruby and Mom in there...Maybe we should just tell them about the Pizza Buffet.
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