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Ape Caves, Mt. St.
Helens |
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"You want to explore a cave?" I asked as Jordan queried eagerly what there was to do at Mt. St. Helens. Being that 9 years olds are more ambitious than their own minds like to admit, we set out for an increasingly popular spot called Ape Caves. We arrived in the parking lot early and hiked through the dense forest that was recovering quite well some 23 years after the mountain blew it's top, to the huge opening of the caves.
Although she may seem calm and collected, Jordan was a blubbering mess as if she was competing on Fear Factor without any safety equipment.
Once in the cave, we explored while becoming used to the pitch blackness. Jordan started enjoying the discovery that the cave had to offer.
We came across cave spiders with their thread-like legs, and lava spills that were frozen in time.
Towards the end of the cave, openings started appearing overhead. Again, Jordan was a little dismayed by the fact that she was enjoying herself so much, she did not want the cave to end.
We came out of the cave and gave a war whoop. "I cannot believe I was afraid, jeeze", Jordan said. Jordan was so excited and felt so alive, she wanted to do much more. The challenge came and she faced it head on. We strolled back to the truck and talked about the discoveries like 2 coming out of a good movie.
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