We were supposed to go get a Christmas tree this weekend, but we got a little side-tracked and ended up going on a hike with some friends instead!
Not far from where we live, there are a few places where the railroad (Union Pacific?) had originally planned to put a line from Drain to Reedsport. It never happened and I am not sure why. When they scrapped their plans, the company left some interesting tunnel openings in some mountains on government land. None of the tunnels actually go all the way through, so they are more like deep caves.
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| Looking into the tunnel with flashlights |
We wore our grubbiest clothes and hiked about a mile from a logging road to reach the "cave opening". The guys took in flashlights to go to the far end. They said it looked as though no-one had been in there for years.
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| Nathan at the "cave" opening |
There were railroad ties in there, some hoof prints at the opening, and a few bats. I would have gone in, but my friend and I were busy watching the children, since not all of us were wearing rubber boots (necessary, for the tunnel was filled with shallow water up to the end).
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| Marisa holding Levi for me- He would like to adopt her! |
I am sure there is a history on these tunnels in the library, but it would be more fun to talk to some older locals to see if they can share their knowledge about them!
We got back to our rigs just before dark, after several incidents of Kyah and Nathan jumping out at us from the bushes. All in all, it was a great activity and I hope we can get back there in warmer weather.
ooh, great opportunity to sing the bear hunt song...ha ha. I would have totally been like "Going on a bear hunt...gonna catch a big one. Oh look! A cave! Can't go over it, can't go under it, I guess we're going to have to go through it." Do you know that song or book? I've read/sang it too many times this week.
ReplyDeleteCool Raina!! My kids would have LOVED this!
ReplyDeleteVery cool trip Raina! I'm sure the boys loved it!
ReplyDeleteOh, my son would have loved this! OK, I think Amanda needs a break from parenting, LOL
ReplyDeleteThis is really neat! Hiking is my second love... there is so much out there to explore:)
ReplyDeleteThat's pretty cool!
ReplyDeleteAlso, you wouldn't let me comment yesterday, but I'm still awed by your training. Keep up the good work and good attitude!
I love this! It is one of my favorite things to do. Exploring caves or tunnels or old mines like this. When I visit you one day this will be on the list. :)
ReplyDeletewe love caving and have been in some neat caves in Arkansas. One time we even heard a growl sound! Needless to say we were done for the day! Our family would love these caves especially the history. Looks like another fun day for your family.
ReplyDeleteCave hiking > Christmas tree-getting. ;)
ReplyDeleteLooks like SO much fun! I really love the last picture!
Too much fun!
ReplyDeleteThose are awesome caves. My family are huge geocachers so hiking to and exploring places like that are how we spend much of our time, geocaching takes us to places we would never have known about otherwise. Reminds me of the awesome railway tunnel we hiked up to in Colorado, at the time it was built it was the highest railway tunnel in the world. The entire floor was thick thick ice....caves are SO cool!!!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like so much fun! What a great adventure for the kiddos! I have to say the bats would freak me out!
ReplyDeleteAlways fun to see what runners do when they're not running! Looks like a fun day!
ReplyDeleteI bet that your kids just loved that! And your totally from last month are incredible! And congrats on your turkey trot and 1/2 marathon!
ReplyDelete@ Lauram-
ReplyDeleteSo glad you commented! I hadn't heard of geocaching before, but now i am interested. What a fun way to spend a weekend. I Agree- caves are cool!!
What a paradise for 3 young boys, how fun! I think the learning the history on the railroad fail from the locals would be great...this reminds me of the stories I used to hear from my grandma's friends when we'd go visit. They always had great memories of the past. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool!! I'd totally have to get some rubber boots on and go tramping through that!
ReplyDeleteThat is way cool!!! The only tunnel/cave I've visited is Lurray Caverns (which is just that, caverns). Definitely want to go back and take my kids to see again sometime. Thanks for checking out my blog. I'm now following yours as well. :) :)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a nice "adventure". I can only imagine how much fun for your boys.
ReplyDeleteAbout the bats, do you remember my rescue?
http://cavnero.blogspot.com/2011/07/black-knight-air-force.html
Wow, that is awesome!
ReplyDeleteUnrelated-congrats on the ID program-so well deserved!! We're teammates not too:)Great season ahead-I think so!
I love caves and tunnels, how fun!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great time! We love hiking, and any kind of "new" thing to catch our kids' interest and get them more excited about being outside is a plus.
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