Saturday, September 21, 2013, Oregon Caves National Monument, Cave Junction, CA

It was raining, but we didn't think it would matter since we were going to Oregon Caves National Monument. It was less than 30 miles from the RV park, but the road was so curvy that I doubt we averaged more than 20 mph. The road was narrow but smooth, and remarkably, we nearly had it to ourselves.

The park had a very nice lodge and a great 50s themed diner where we had a large and excellent breakfast. Best sourdough toast we have ever had!

Another warm and inviting lodge with great food.

The cave was quite a challenge. The 90-minute trek included more than 500 steps (most of them up) and a lot of places where you were required to stoop through long passages with no more than 42 inches of headroom. In a few places, I had to turn sideways to fit between some of the cave formations. This cave had a lot of water and, therefore, a lot of cave decorations - stalactites, stalagmites, draperies, flowstones, bacon, and cave popcorn.  

We had a small group since the cave was so tight. Jillian, our ranger, thought we should all be friends so she spent some time learning everyone's name. I think I still remember everyone - there was Jillian, Joani, John, Al and Deb with their daughters Erica and Rudy, Christina and Bill, another Bill and Debbie, Michael and Bailey (our designated rear guard or, bear bait), Benjamin, one late arrival, Wendy and myself.

Early visitors signed their names on the rocks. By the time the NPS decided to clean up the cave, a layer of calcite had formed over the writing making the graffiti permanent.

Prof. Thomas Condon and his students, put their signatures in

pencil, in 1883, on the cave wall. They are still visible beneath a protective coating of calcite.

Back outside the cave, we had the choice of a 0.3-mile paved path back to the visitor center or a 0.7-mile nature trail over the mountain to the visitor center. We started down the short path, but changed our minds and went through the woods. The fog gave the forest a nice ethereal look. Then the rain started and we got soaked, but it didn't dampen our spirits. The northwest woods are just beautiful.

The Pacific Madrone trees were magical. The color of the peeling bark stood out in the forest.

Almost home, near Cave Junction, we stopped several times to record some "Cloud Drama."

Back at the coach, we were getting ready for some dinner when we noticed this rainbow out our window. It was, without a doubt, the most colorful rainbow we have ever seen. It was a nice finish to a really nice day.