Sunday, March 9, 2014

Ice Cave... well there's a first!

Hey y'all!  I'm home!!  And luckily I've already loaded lots of pics from the trip onto the 'puter, so you'll have to hear about Colorado for a few more days!  Cool?!
Todd  calls me "Pigpen" (like on Charlie Brown).  I have no idea why!
Ok, so we'd been to town a time or two and noticed this big mound of ice.  There were colored lights in it which would change colors, so we knew it was something cool that we'd probably have to explore later in the week.

And so the night came.  We, the Groves Family, were going in!
Into the Ice Cave, as we have since learned.  Note to self:  Uggs do NOT have traction on downhill icy entrances.
It started out no big thang.  Just icicles and paths, really.
But as we would soon find out, there were tunnels and slides, and winding areas, that needed to be explored!
Gabbi typically tried to get her legs out before she'd actually get her head out or remain on all fours, and would inevitably get "stuck".  Not a tough rescue though.
Todd actually considered trying to crawl in after them.  I really, really wanted to see that!!  A few guys DID go in.  But MY guy is NOT "small".

I, of course, only use my iphone for pics these days.  There were some folks in there with tripods and fancy SLR cameras, and I can only imagine how those pics must've turned out.
As you can tell, I couldn't decide whether or not to use the flash or not.


Sometimes it was a bit of a no-brainer.  For instance, the above photo is no flash.  ANd the one below is WITH.  The girls would crawl into a tunnel and suddenly emerge in a place like this, calling "Mooooom.  Daaaaadd."

I was sort of freezing.  I didn't know what to expect and was wearing some thin leggings only.  As was par for me, I AGAIN forgot to put the girls' gloves in their jacket pockets, so they were crawling around on all fours on ice with bare hands!  (Mom of the Year!)

So, I was sort of antsy to go.  But they had to explore every single tunnel in the cave.





Ta da.  There's me.




We learned that they had 90 sprinkler heads that they turned on every night to harden the ice.


So, if you find yourself in Breckenridge, you need to know about this.  It makes a pretty good evening activity after a day full of toting skis (yours and theirs), goggles (yours and theirs), poles, ski boots (yours and theirs)... you get the idea.  This was nice, cause we just sort of walked around!






And there was little to no effort required on the part of parents here.  Just remember gloves.  And, actually, snow pants might not be a bad idea either!



Glad we went!!
OK... One more thing.  Art Retreat coming up in a couple of weeks.  It'll entail painting, mixed media, jewelry making, and some self-awareness activities and information which will hopefully make you leave very glad you came.  The cost is $450.  The agenda will be posted later this week.  I have Joleen and her daughter coming, as well as Jennifer, a participant from the past.  We'd love to have you!!  Todd will be cooking.  And of course, you'll be staying at the BAH!  If you need more details, contact me at mojoy@att.net

MO

16 comments:

Mbeaty19 said...

OMG that is the coolest thing. I think I would have been going thru the tunnels with the kids. You can tell how much fun the girls had. I love all the different looks of the pictures. I think it really captures the whole experience. Think it's so great all the experiences you've 'explored' this year. Keep it up because I love hearing about them.

Holly said...

We Southern moms can't be expected to remember everyone's gloves! We're more sun screen and beach towel oriented! Bring on the Breckenridge pics - I wanna see' em ALL!

Unknown said...

That's awesome! Maybe I can just visit that place instead of skiing lol

Unknown said...

How cool is that!!! My family went to Breckenridge when I was a little girl. I will always remember that trip!! Your girls' will always remember the trip!

melanie, aka Mo said...

Lisa and Sami are coming to retreat!!! Yes, Lisa, I have you down! Sometimes I think I've lost my mind!!

Amy K said...

So fun!
Being from WI, does Todd know about the Apostle Island ice caves, in Bayfield? People have been posting AMAZING photos from their visits there this winter. With our especially frigid temps this year, apparently it was a phenomenal sight.

SamC said...

It looks like the girls had a ball. Love all the colors.

Becky said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Becky said...

I thought this cave was in your home town and was trying to figure out how they were keeping it frozen. I needed that hour of sleep we missed by changing the clocks ahead an hour! Glad you are home safe. Loving this vacation trip I'm on with you all

Joleen said...

That place looks so fun...and cold!

I wish I was coming to the Art Retreat, someday I will! Maybe I should start a bucket list, just for that! :)

Side note: Is there really another Joleen that follows your blog and spells it the same way as I do? I don't think I have ever come across one that spells it the same way.

melanie, aka Mo said...

No. Error! I realized I used Bingo winner Joleen instead of Art Retreater Lisa!! I tried to go back and correct my mistake!

Lisa said...

Joleen & Mo,
Joleen - I would love to have such a beautiful name as yours! Mo - Thank you for making me a Joleen for a few minutes :)!

Jeni said...

Those caves look awesome!! Way to go Ellie Sue. I wish I would of learned to ski when i was young.

Joleen said...

Ha! I was just excited that someone else spelled it the same way!

Thanks Lisa!

Rhonda said...

Very cool place!!! By the way, I love your patterned print leggings!! I thought I was the only person over 40 that wore those! :)

melanie, aka Mo said...

Ha! They're colorful aren't they?!! Then I'm IN!