Day: July 19, 2015

Mt. Timpanogos Cave National Monument

This morning the alarm went off at 5:30am. It was painful, but we got up and ready for our morning adventure up Mt. Timpanogos to explore Mt. Timpanogos Cave National Monument. It turned out to be a perfect-weather type of morning, and even though the one and a half mile trail to the top felt excruciating at times, the beauty of it all was pretty stunning.

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This child was less than happy on our trek up the mountain. In fact, she was SO unhappy that Abe literally carried her almost the entire way up. She did, however, perk up (!) on the way down the mountain, and she managed to do that entire walk by herself. Hurray.
This child was less than happy on our trek up the mountain. In fact, she was SO unhappy that Abe literally carried her almost the entire way up. She did, however, perk up (!) on the way down the mountain, and she managed to do that entire walk by herself. Hurray.
Mary was excited and happy the entire way up the mountain and did almost the entire trail on foot. Abe insisted on carrying her for ten minutes because he thought that would increase our speed. Turns out the one who was dragging wasn't Mary...it was me. After we got that figured out, Mary continued to walk the rest of the way up.
Mary was excited and happy the entire way up the mountain and did almost the entire trail on foot. Abe insisted on carrying her for ten minutes because he thought that would increase our speed. Turns out the one who was dragging wasn’t Mary…it was me. After we got that figured out, Mary continued to walk the rest of the way up.

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Some morning beauty.
Some morning beauty.
Inside the cave. I am happy never to return. At several points, you can SEE THE FAULT LINE in the cave. In fact, the fault line is why Mt. Timpanogos Cave exists. If the earthquake that's was overdue hit while you were in the cave...well, let's just say after I saw that fault line, I felt like I'd had my fill of the cave.
Inside the cave. I am happy never to return. At several points, you can SEE THE FAULT LINE in the cave. In fact, the fault line is why Mt. Timpanogos Cave exists. If the earthquake that’s was overdue hit while you were in the cave…well, let’s just say after I saw that fault line, I felt like I’d had my fill of the cave.
The "heart of Mt. Timpanogos."
The “heart of Mt. Timpanogos.”
Cave formations.
Cave formations.
On our happy way down.
On our happy way down.
Lydia carried our passport book into the visitor's center. The thought of that national park stamp motivated me to keep going all morning, and it was very satisfying to see our books get stamped.
Lydia carried our passport book into the visitor’s center. The thought of that national park stamp motivated me to keep going all morning, and it was very satisfying to see our books get stamped.

After our hike, we went out for lunch and then headed home to rest. Well, I rested while Abe did the lawn and made a ton of phone calls. After I rested for, um, five hours, we got together with Morgan, Jesse and Henry and took the kids to the park. At Henry’s bedtime, we left and took the girls to Coldstone. We figured it was okay since we spent the entire morning hiking. Then it was errands, blogging–and now, Abe and I get to finish Half the Sky. I can’t wait.

Coldstone.
Coldstone.
On our way home from errands, we were discussing how amazing Utah skies are--and then we saw these clouds! Aren't they incredible?
On our way home from errands, we were discussing how amazing Utah skies are–and then we saw these clouds! Aren’t they incredible?

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