The "New Birth"

Although the weather was perhaps colder than any previous 10:44 trip, we still headed just across the KY border to Carter Caves State Park. The students were excited to experience the caves, and they were all very helpful of one another. It's about a 3/4 mile hike to the entrance to the caves, and then we start to get really dirty. Hunched over, trudging through cold water, and sometimes crawling on our stomachs, we made it through the first couple of caves fairly easily.

We all walked back to the bus and enjoyed the "sack lunches" that the camp had provided for us- sandwiches, chips and what seemed like leftover halloween candy. After lunch, we split into groups and began to re-explore the caves. My group (team BOOTS) found several small passageways that required army crawling for what seemed like a long time before the cave opened up enough that we could sit up. The team with Mr. Estes and Mrs. Gillespie discovered what has become known as "the birth canal" because of the extremely tight opening, as well as the wet conditions getting in and out. Zach Vance especially experienced the chilling water when he found himself suddenly in a deep pool, but couldn't get back out until the rest of the group turned around from the dead end. He eventually had to remove his wet clothes and take on some dry articles from other members in the group.

In the end, everyone made it back to the bus on time, plenty dirty, and feeling like true explorer-conquerers. And now that we are back at the camp, they are enjoying warm showers, resting a bit before dinner and games tonight.

Thanks to everyone posting comments to the students - they love to hear that you are reading up on them and looking at the pictures, and they are amazed when I tell them the messages you send. When you post a comment, be sure you tell me who you are, because "love mom" is a little too vague :)

To Mrs. Gillespie's kids, she says, "Hi" and she misses you. To everyone else, still a few more days before we make it home - more fun tonight, more work tomorrow. More updates to come.