Day three: Craters of the Moon

Another short day, just 5 hours across Idaho to Meridian. I heard a wise saying that "The vacation begins when we get in the car", and I tried really hard to make the getting there almost as fun as the being there. Especially with 3 days of driving! It helped my attitude, which helped with...everything. :)

So Thursdays stop was at Craters of the Moon in central Idaho. There isn't really anything out there. It was amazingly quiet and peaceful. We arrived before any crowds or hot weather, and had a great time in the visitor's center. Did you know that the current hotspot under Yellowstone used to be under Craters of the Moon? It was like going back in time.

A "STOP!-listen-to-the-sound-of-nothing" moment.

Stephen (with Lincoln on his back), Elise and Mason were more adventurous when it came to caving in the Indian Tunnel. Plus, with my big buddha belly (as my children lovingly refer to my pregnant self), climbing over rocks is kind of tricky! I did it, to be sure, but it was more comfy to sit by Sammy,

who found a bug even in a cave! Go figure. I believe it was at this point that he decided that he wasn't just going to study froggies when he grew up, he is now going to broaden his scope to insects as well. (That's a grasshopper, in case you couldn't tell)

Like I said, not a lot out here! But the lava flows are fascinating--such different types of lava! Going in the cave was Elise and Mason's favorite thing thus far. I wish I would have grabbed some flashlights so that they could have gone in some of the other caves! Next time...