Maquoketa Caves

Last weekend we went to Maquoketa Caves. I can not believe we didn't go there before now!!! We have lived here for FOUR years!!!

This is where you go in. Most of the time you get to walk (contrary to how this looks).

This is at the beginning as well (most of the pics I took in the cave were either blurry from motion and/or too dark):

Half way through our hike:

Coming out of one of the caves. If you look carefully, you can see my friend's silhouette on the right as we are walking out.

We went with some of our friends. They weren't as... prepared as us. In fact, I'm half tempted to post a picture of my red-headed friend.

In her flip flops.

Wait. In her bare feet!!

She had to take the flip-flops off.

Because she couldn't get up the SLIPPERY, MUDDY hill with them on.

Hiking.

At the caves...Good times, ROFL!

When we were done going through the caves and the whole area, we made 'smores.
The kids found a millipede. And, when we said it was time to go home, Joe didn't want to go. In fact, he wanted to go through the caves/trails once more (it took us a couple of hours to leisurely walk them with small children in tow).

So, I agreed to go through it with him, backwards. And starting a different route. That was much harder. Half a mile in, we decided to turn back. I hate it when people say "I'm not young anymore..." But I really mean-- I'M NOT THAT YOUNG ANYMORE!!! Joe ran. And on the steep hill, he got up fine. And kept going.

Mid-big hill-that had lots of mud and no trees to hold onto, I decided that I was done excercising for the day and if I was at a gym, I would stop working out.

Seeing as how I was on a mountain 10 minutes from my family, I kept going. I was sore the next day. We had a great time. So much so that we are going back this weekend! (If you live in Iowa, I highly suggest going here- you will LOVE it!!:)