In a cave

A few weekends ago we hiked to Timpanogos Cave.
It is days like that when I realize how beautiful Utah really is.
I often fantasize about running away together to a myriad of destinations (Morocco, France, Italy, Egypt, D.C. to name a few), but Utah truly is wonderful.

The cave is found after a 1 1/2 mile hike, with an increase of altitude of 1,065 feet.
We hiked it in about 45 minutes.
And at 7 a.m. in the morning. I definitely recommend the early hike.
It was just us, which was perfect. And the heat had not starting bearing down on us.

 The whole hike is a series of switchbacks.

 The hikers.

 Inside the cave.
Once we got inside and they turned off the lights, it kind of felt like the Pirates of the Caribbean ride in Disneyland. Even down to the smell. Sadly, there were no pirates in our adventure.

 The lake inside of the cave.

Weird cave shapes throughout the cave.
Tempting to touch? Don't even think about it.
You would be a cave killer. (The tour guide's words, not mine.)

Thankfully there are well-placed lights throughout the cave to give it the dramatic effect.
And when the lights were turned off, danger ensued. Literally.
They turned off the lights and the tour guide from the other group fell down the stairs.
Like head-over-heels. It was the saddest/funniest part of the tour.

The "heart" of Timpanogos.
To meet it looks like an artichoke heart.

The stalactites and stalagmites were incredible. It boggles my mind to see something that took thousands of years to create.

Maybe in another couple of thousand of years these two will touch.

The boarded up area between the rocks in the original entrance.
Two young boys walked through the cave with candlelight to shine their way.

Things we learned:

• Go early. Our tour was at 8:30 a.m., and it took about 1 hour to hike. On the way down the pathway was packed.
• Take your camera. And get used to using flash. It was hard to get great pictures.
• Bring snacks. The tour lasts an hour, so it is like a three hour ordeal. Snacks make everything better.
• Take a flash light. There are cave lights but they only light the way and highlight features of the cave. 
• Follow instructions. When they say, duck. They mean it. (Poor Jacob)

Thanks, Timpanogos! I could not be happier that you are in my backyard.