The Near Normal News

Volume 15 #5 September 2005 THE NEAR NORMAL NEWS is published by the: The Near Normal Grotto Near Normal Grotto #363, P.O. Box 813 The Near Normal Grotto meets the second Friday of Normal, IL 61761. each month at 7 P.M. in the Community Room of

Subscription price is $10/year or free with the purchase of National City Bank a grotto membership (also $10/year). Issues are published 202 E. Washington in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Bloomington, IL.

Editors: Adverse weather, holidays, and our annual September Editor: Jeffery Gosnell picnic may affect meeting times. [email protected] Co-Editor: John Schirle 2005 Executive Committee: [email protected] President: Marc Tiritilli Science Editor: John Marquart [email protected] [email protected] Vice-President: Ralph Sawyer [email protected] ARTICLE SUBMISSION INFO Secretary: Troy Simpson We accept most -related submissions. Equipment [email protected] reviews, scientific articles, trip reports, announcements, Treasurer: David Carson cartoons, artwork, and pictures are all welcome. Most [email protected] submissions must be received by the last Friday of the Member at Large: Don Kerouac month prior to publication. Scientific submissions need [email protected] extra time for review. Send submissions, using the guidelines below, to Jeffery http://www.eiu.edu/~physics/nngrotto/nng.htm Gosnell at [email protected]. Submissions on disk may be mailed to 1384 County Road 900N, Lacon, IL The Near Normal Grotto is part of the National 61540. Speleological Society (NSS). We encourage all Photographic & graphic submissions should generally persons interested in caving to join the NSS. be in JPEG format. Query the editor if your submission Membership is $35/year. Members receive the NSS uses a different program. Photographs should list the cave, News (monthly) and other caving publications. general location (ex. Southern Illinois, or Washington Co, IN.), names of any persons included in the photo, and National Speleological Society name of the photographer. 2813 Cave Avenue Written submissions may be sent as an attachment Huntsville, AL 35810-4431 using Microsoft Works®, Microsoft Word®, or plain Phone: (205) 852-1300 ASCII (DOS-text), or incorporated directly into an e-mailed www..org text message. If you are uncomfortable with your writing ability, simply put together a basic account of the trip— ignoring spelling, grammar, and punctuation—and request the editor to help draft the finished product. Scientific and Technical articles are expected to be of a high standard, citing evidence of statements and crediting references, where appropriate.

On The Cover: “Behind the Curtains” Trenton Carley in Cave (Cave River Valley) Photo by Troy J. Simpson Upcoming Trips Near Normal - Shaft/Buddha/CRV Trip; July 15-17 - Illinois Caverns July 22 Grotto Business - Annual NNG Picnic @ Clark Falls Farm, Sept. 10-11 MEETING MINUTES JULY 8, 2005 - Next Meeting is Sunday August 14, noon -? Vertical Practice, Call to order at 7:14pm. Present: Marc Tiritilli, Ralph Sawyer, Great Oaks Camp Troy J. Simpson, Don & Billie Kerouac, Larry Bird, John Schirle, Meeting Adjourned at 8:52 pm Jason Kern, Jeffery Gosnell, Julie Angel, Beth Reinke, Adam Respectfully submitted by Troy J. Simpson Stanford, Doug Gregory, Leon & Lucas Hedding, Ambra Secretary, Near Normal Grotto Deering, Dave & Justin Carson. Secretary Report–Troy read the May minutes. Approved. No mintues for the June meeting (no quorum). MEETING MINUTES AUGUST 14, 2005 Treasurer Report – Dave reported $340.84 in treasury. Approved. Call to order at 3:08pm. Present: Marc Tiritilli, Ralph Sawyer, Trip Reports Troy J. Simpson, Roy Becker, Harvey Bluedorn, Laurie Bluedorn, -Marc attended NCRC training in Alabama, working the Dewayne Fender & family, Beth Reinke, Nathaniel Bluedorn, instructor qualification group. They worked in Hugh’s Cave, Adam Stanford, Cory Wheeler, John Mayberry, John Ernst, which Marc described as a Buckner’s equivalent and Sycamore Johannah Bluedorn, Hans Bluedorn, Ava Bluedorn, Jason Cave with an impressive waterfall. He also dropped Vahalla Pit Stanford, John Shirle, Ben Little, Ryan Brown, & Jeffery Gosnell. and Neversink during some recreational time. Introductions by the membership and guests. Secr. Note: Jeffery -Dave and the Carson clan visited Missouri’s Meramec S.P. Gosnell, in vertical practice tradition, attended the meeting They explored Fisher Cave, Lone Hill Onyx, Sheep Cave, and on rope attempting to complete a changeover. saw Mushroom Cave’s gated entrance. -Jeffery described a trip to Sullivan and Doghill-Donohue Caves. Secretary Report–Troy read the July minutes. Approved. - John described a trip to Illinois Caverns and shared a story Treasurer’s Report–Troy reported treasury was status quo about a few illegal cavers getting busted at IC. according to Dave Carson. Approved. -Don attended a CRF trip in Kentucky. They surveyed an Trip Reports “unknown” cave which was accessed by a series of extension -Tabled (to be shared during the vertical practice). ladders tied together. Don also “starred” in a cave safety video as a “walking wounded.” Old Business - Ralph attended the IKC work day at Robinson Ladder Cave. -Marc will look into setting up a Near Normal Grotto “Yahoo -Larry explored the Lost Dutchman’s mine area in Arizona. He Group” to assist in getting the word out about activities. mentioned a band of rattlesnakes he encountered. - The September meeting will be Sunday, September 11 at 2:00pm Old Business at Clark Falls Farm in Utica, IL. This will coincide with the - Marc introduced the discussion of having a grotto repository Annual Near Normal Grotto Picnic at the same location. (maps, locations, contacts, etc...). The major concern Jeffery - NNG picnic will be a two day affairby Larrywith vertical Matiz practice raisedM wasAMMOTH who to give the informationCAVE to. RalphCAMPS echoed this occurring all day on Saturday, September 10. Primitive camping thought. Ambra felt information needs to be “handed down” is available at The Falls. The picnic is around lunchtime on through the generations of cavers. Discussion ensued about Sunday, with bring your own picnic lunch. There will be a variety the whether to have a central location and who determines of activities available on Sunday including vertical practice on whom gets what. Don mentioned this issue can become thorny 110’ cliffs, hiking, and Utica Cement Mine trip. and bad-blood can occur. Membership felt one of the strengths New Business of the NNG is its openness and the need for a central location of - No new business was discussed. information was not necessary. The discussion was dropped. Upcoming Events - John addressed the website update. Lucas suggested a Yahoo - TAG this Fall!! Groups with a moderators as a way to getting information out. - Annual NNG Picnic @ Clark Falls Farm, Sept. 10-11 The Exec. Board will look at creating an e-mail that goes directly - Next Meeting is Sunday September 11, 2:00pm Clark Falls to the board as a point of contact. Currently Troy is the contact Farm, Utica, IL on the webspage. The committee will have a storyboard of potential updates to the website at the August meeting. Meeting Adjourned at 3:22 pm New Business Respectfully submitted by, -Vertical practice & meeting at Great Oaks Camp on Sunday, Troy J. Simpson August 14. Motion, Ralph. Second Jason. Motion passed. Secretary, Near Normal Grotto -Annual Grotto Picnic at the Clark Falls Farm on Saturday/ Sunday, September 10, 11. Saturday is vertical work. Sunday will be the picnic. Motion Troy. Second Dave. Motion passed.

THE NEAR NORMAL NEWS, September 2005 p. 3 A CAVE RIVER VALLEY SAMPLING by Troy J. Simpson

I have had the opportunity to explore the flowstone pouring out of the ceiling. I I had enough. Unfortunately, there was caves at Cave River Valley for nearly 8 would compare it to formations that I had no turning around, and I had to back my years. Brett Bennett introduced me to seen in Frozen Waterfall, just across the way out. After several minutes of Endless and Bear Den Caves on my first way, except this one was still active. reversing my course and preventing trip with grotto members. Since that time, After a few quick photos, we made our myself from sliding into the wedge, I made I have made several trips to CRV, slowly, way on. The cave continued on as we it out. I was beat. We took a little break but surely checking off the went through places such as “Fat Man’s and made our way back towards the located in this karst-rich area. My personal Curse,” which had us diving between entrance. We took a quick gander at the goal is to explore them all, and until this narrow draperies, and getting a little wet “Big Room” and then headed back to the summer only one had eluded my piercing in the “Baptismal Pool.” After a few more cars for a refreshing meal. headlamp, Flowstone Cave. turns in the now-crawling passage, Trenton pushed ahead and encountered © Troy Simpson © Troy Simpson the tight squeeze of the “Jaws of Death.” He decided it would be saved for another day. We still had other caves ahead of us and the day was still young. Our next stop was Lamplighter’s. We searched up and down the stream bed, hunting for the elusive entrance. I kept close watch of the clock, and 15 minutes later I heard the excited voices that the After some eats, we made our way up In July, I joined several members of the entrance had been found. to the entrance of River Cave, with two grotto in a multiple cave trip to south- We made our way into the climb-down inflated rafts . To give a little background central . Ralph Sawyer and Jeffery entrance and the opening crawlway. Once on this cave, it has a rather decent flowing Gosnell were spearheading a trip to Shaft in the cave, we made the decision to head stream exiting the entrance and cascading Cave, while I was helping lead a group to to the Randall Entrance. It was easy going over a retaining wall that once helped Cave River Valley. My group consisted until we reached the "Loop Passage." We provide water to the valley. The of Nathan Marcier, Dave Carson, Trenton started off by crawling to the left and approximately 8' wide stream entrance Carley, John Schirle, and Bill Joe Averitt negotiating a series of dragon’s teeth requires a raft to negotiate the deep stream (one of Jeffery’s interns). Our schedule filled crawl passage. The passage wound passage (at times 20' deep). Once in, there was ambitious, as we wanted to visit and emerged above a rather impressive are two portages required during the 400' Lamplighter’s and River Cave. crevice one really does not want to paddle, until finally reaching a point where We arrived at CRV, and headed to venture into. you can explore the cave on foot. With Lamplighter’s first. It is amazing how After passing the crevice, there was a six people in our group, it would be difficult it can be to find a cave entrance tight crawlway to the left and out the necessary to ferry two or three people in when there is excessive foliage. “Where Randall Entrance. The passage was not to the first portage, go back to the is the entrance?” I kept asking myself. just any crawlway, though. Not only was entrance, get the remaining people, and Only a year ago, Nathan and I had it a belly crawl, but there was a slight slope do a ferrying system until the 400' stream reached the entrance in minutes (It was trending right that we had to keep from passage was completed. also December and the entrance stuck out wedging ourselves into. This was my Nathan and I embarked, with John and like a sore thumb.). biggest challenge, as members of my Bill Joe in the next raft. As we got in, I We searched for a few minutes, and as group (I will not mention Dave’s name!) heard some gurgling coming from the we worked our way around the area we encouraged me to push on. I wiggled and other raft, a leak. I made an executive stumbled upon a cave entrance I had not squirmed my way about 50', and decided decision and felt we should abort this trip seen before. It was a picturesque entrance and call it a day. with a bubbling stream emitting from the We cleaned up and my little © Troy Simpson void. The only thought I had was, “This Lamplighter’s escapade started to take its might just be Flowstone!” toll on me, more than I had originally We decided to head inside. The walking realized. In fact, it would prevent me from passage wound its way through the visiting Buddha the next day. Not exactly scalloping potholes in the floor. It did not how I wanted this little trip to end, but at take long for us to the reach the namesake least I did get to finally notch Flowstone room of this cave. The passage opened Cave off my CRV list. up to a 30' high passage with elaborate

THE NEAR NORMAL NEWS, September 2005 p. 4 WHERE'S MARC by Marc Tiritilli, President

Marc has been getting ready for the new pictures, there is an inherent problem—I school year. Tremont High School, where am taking the picture! My students I teach, starts early, so I have spent the comment regularly that they do not see floodlights), but I still need more practice. better part of August preparing for the me in the presentation. I guess they are Ralph has been great in helping me collect new semester. While putting my room more interested if there is a familiar point some of the data. together, I noticed that my cave pictures of reference. Thirdly, I just bought a The bottom line—I need to do more haven’t changed much over the last digital camera, so I am no longer caving! I had a very active June with couple of years. I moved Jeffery’s NCRC, but the trips had packed agendas Immersion Emersion to the front of the and/or tight schedules and were not very room (it’s still my favorite), but the conducive to photography. I am looking remaining four-by-sixes and NSS covers forward to the fall with upcoming trips are looking a bit tired. Bottom line, I need back to Indiana and TAG. Dates and to get some new and/or more exciting destinations are still flexible, so get your cave shots for my room! suggestions in soon. There are a few reasons why this need In a related note, now that school is exists. First, I have been shooting more back in session, my students have video lately. I am constantly striving to graciously nominated me to receive the convey to my students and others the Golden Apple award for area teachers feeling of being in a cave. Since I lack the generating hard copies. This works well from WEEK-25. One of the perks is that I talent that others have for composing for slide shows, but not so well for get to drive a brand new Jeep Cherokee pictures, I rely on tape to capture a series bulletin boards (no, I don’t have a photo Laredo for an entire month! If we get these of events in the hopes that at least printer). Finally, even when I bring the trips planned for September, we can get something useful will appear. I guess the camera along and remember to get into there in style! So please, for the sake of difference is similar to a marksman who the picture, I still have issues with my students, let’s go caving. There’s needs only the one shot to accomplish illumination. The Brinkmann Dual Xenon plenty of cargo room for the extra cameras his goal versus the ‘spray and pray’ floodlight has been helping in recent and I promise to smile if you take my method of an inexperienced machine- months ($24 at Lowes, 45/80 minutes of picture… gunner. Second, When I am taking rechargeable burn time on one or two —Marc IMPSON S ROY T BY

The Main Passage of Lamplighter's "Twilight of Donaldson Cave" Spring Mill State Park

HOTOS Flowstone Caves "Waterfall" P

THE NEAR NORMAL NEWS, September 2005 p. 5 2005 CAVE CAPERS by Laura Lexander

My first Cave Capers was great! I drove you are blind to any footholds until you Three people waited for us, including down with Jack Wood and Greg Schmit are well into the crack. On this next level Jesse Bahr and Linda Mark from the Near on Friday, and we set up camp by Bill we looked around for Paradise Passage, Normal Grotto. They helped us up the pit English and Patty Ruback. She brought a 2-3’ crawl with a sandy floor. We found and out into the hot, humid daylight. Jerry several people down for their first Cave it leading off to the north, where it ended Bailey was outside the cave waiting. We Capers as well. Besides some fun caving, with nice flowstone, but we had difficulty were in the cave for only about 5 hours. I was also privileged to meet many finding it going the other direction. That evening was a lot of fun. After wonderful people during this event. A few Bill Baus and I went down a gnarly the banquet, we listened to Mark Minton were Sam Frushour (one of the Sullivan crawlway thinking that it might connect about deep caving in Oaxaca, Mexico and Cave “gods”), Mike Taylor (who wrote to Paradise Crawl. None of the others the search for the world’s deepest cave. Cave Passages and Dark Life), and Keith followed. We crawled and slithered up and Then Terminal Syphons played for several Dunlap and Bob Vandeventer from IKC. I down and around rocks for what ended hours. In lieu of dancing, which I also met back up with Bill Baus who I had up being two hours. We finally decided adamantly refuse to do, I played with met at the Memorial Day CRF Expedition. to turn around after studying the map several chairs and objects to see what I After talking with Bill the night we more. When we got back to the room could squeeze through. That was fun and drove in, I signed up for a trip to Limekiln where the others were, most of them had Bob Vandeventer even got a few photos Hollow Cave. There were ten others on left for another cave. of me doing it. the trip as well. Only Bill had been to the Before Bill and I headed out, he took The next day Jack Wood, Greg Schmit, cave before so we hoped we would not another quick look around and, amazingly, Dave Everton, and I surveyed a small cave have too much trouble finding it, and we spotted the other lead to Paradise Crawl! west of Paoli called Midland Trail Cave. did not. Of course, having ten people It was right between the gnarly crawlway Ty Spatta joined us later in the afternoon. spread out over the ridge did not hurt and the way to the exit. We scrambled We only surveyed for a few hours, but either! About 25' from the entrance there down it for a short time. I also dropped they think the whole cave probably will was a 9’ pit where two cavers rigged a into a small crevice where I had to take not end up being more than 300'. Dave hand line. At the bottom there were two off my helmet because it would not fit. and I saw one blindfish in a small pool of passages to take. One led to the entrance That was cool to see how small a space I water. At at first Jack did not believe us, and the other further into the cave. could squeeze through – too bad we but Dave successfully photographed it After some map deliberation, we didn’t get any photos of it. The passage so we had proof! After cleaning up in a figured out we needed to squeeze down dropped into a small room with a few feet creek near the cave that was probably a tiny hole that had been enlarged by the of water. There was a small lead off it, but dirtier than the cave itself, we cave surveyors about 15’ into the next it did not seem to go. So I did not push it, took off for the long drive home. passage. It was a little unnerving because especially with folks waiting for us. HOTOS Laura's Helmet in Limekiln Hollow Photo by Laura Lexander P

Photo by Linda Mark APER C AVE

C Laura's fascination with chair squeezes. Photo by Bob Vandeventer Jesse Bahr in private cave. Photo by Linda Mark

THE NEAR NORMAL NEWS, September 2005 p. 6 CAVE CAPERS 2005 by Jesse Bahr

On August 5-7 Linda Mark and Jesse Bahr bottom of the drop was a nice standing passage, but rather waterfall. The rigging went to Cave Capers in Marengo Indi- room and had a low side passage leading required made our gear stash seem ana. This year the Crawford County Fair- to another climbable dome. This dome had ridiculously small. We didn’t hang around ground was used as the home site. We a few formations. The other passage for the music talents of the Terminal arrived Friday night, registered and leading out was a belly crawl with enough Siphons, but as we drifted asleep we quickly looked at the available led-trip of a canyon below to allow a drop knee could faintly hear them. caves. There were a few of each type and thus easier navigating. The crawl One of the nice things about cave (horizontal, vertical). Maybe we were ended with space to swing your feet and conventions is the ability to network with spoiled in last years by more available slide down another down sloping canyon. fellow cavers. We met a few friends caves, but then we recognized that many There was only really one place one’s Saturday morning, and they described a caves were on public land in the Harrison body would fit, but plenty of ledges on cave outside of Paoli. It was on private Crawford State Forest (and the locations the way down made it sort of a fun property and permission was needed. We were provided). The event was well orga- challenge. Several in the group either got the description and headed out on nized, vendor participation was low. The chose not to descend or could not fit (trip the quest. We caught the owner just as camping was great, lots of real estate. leader). One could say that moving the he was leaving the house. We had to small number of people in our group thru assure him that it was only us going in these obstacles was not a representative the cave and our intentions were pictures. example of efficiency. Once down in the He agreed and was very willing to show main part of the cave it broke up into a the cave, describe the history, and offered long hands and knees crawl and then a us facilities on the property. We were winding sub-canyon passage. Although overjoyed to get access to the cave. We the canyon had height, it was rare that did have back-up plans as far as cave one could walk for very long—not too exploration for Sunday, but this cave was many formations, but fun moving your ranked high our list. body. After the group explored the shorter The cave is stream passage, at times Jesse Bahr in Limekiln Cave Photo by Linda Mark lead, several (Laura and Bill) headed down we were up to our waist, but you could the next section. see the cave floods and debris was high We signed up for Limekiln Hollow cave The group was spread out and several on the walls. Soda straws were for Saturday. The only other members we of them wanted a more interesting cave. everywhere and as long as 1.5 feet. The knew were Bill Bausman and Laura It was explained that since the trip leader bacon was serrated and the flowstone Lexander. The cave is located in the was “out” it became a self-led trip, and very alive. The formations were some of Harrison Crawford State Forest. Our car/ we were all on our own. Most of the group the best we have ever seen, but the treat truck caravan stopped first at the Forestry decided to exit and head to Mauck’s Cave. was dozens of white crayfish and blind office to fill out the caving permit. Then Linda and I searched a few of the fish. We even found a sculpin. We had to across the road and onto the fire road. A passages but mainly stayed by the watch where we stepped and always had handy map from the office aided in underlying canyon. It was interesting to to be aware of the head room. We brought navigation. We stashed the vehicles and hear Bill and Laura’s voices and how it a 1.5 million candle power lamp, and it then off to trail walking/bushwhacking to sounded as if they were close, then far, really lit things well for pictures. The cave find the cave. Hiking in heat with cave then close, etc. We were finally able to had several entrances, so we chose a clothes…bring on the sweat. It took a make contact, and they indicated they length that allowed a through trip with a while as the trip leader did not know the were on their way out. We reversed our short walk back to the car. The stream location of the cave, and we were trying route and exited again to the land of passage washed our clothes and gear, to find it by the split up and search method. sunshine and summer heat. On the way nice clean caving. The entrance was a hole amongst out we stopped at Leavenworth to catch rocks in a ravine. There was supposed to some sights of the ‘old’ town as well as be a pit nearby, but we could not find it. some elevated views of the . So the consensus was this was a cave That night the banquet was good, as and thus it would be explored. The was the presentation. This one involved entrance hallway was short and the the exploration of deep caves in Mexico. passage was an angled-down sloping The presentation elaborated on several canyon. At the bottom was a ledge and a long term expeditions supported by 10-15 foot drop. A webbing hand-line was National Geographic to locate and survey rigged, but down-climbing (and up- the World’s deepest cave. It was Albino Crayfish & Fish in private cave climbing) was certainly possible. The fascinating. The passage was not stream Photo by Linda Mark

THE NEAR NORMAL NEWS, September 2005 p. 7 CAVE CAPERS '05 by John Schirle

Cave (n) A hole in the ground p.m., to allow for most people to get there time, though, we were in huge borehole Caper (n) 1. A usually spiny Mediterra- and have equal opportunity to sign up. passage, punctuated with periodic nean shrub having white to pale lilac Additionally, the guide book contained massive mountains of breakdown that we flowers and dehiscent fruits with red- descriptions and maps of numerous area had to clamber over. dish pulp. 2. A pickled flower bud of caves where people could just go on their We eventually reached the point where this plant, used as a pungent condi- own. Some required IKC permits, others Gordon said the breakdown got worse, ment in sauces, relishes, and various INDR permits, both of which were as the cave intersected a sinkhole that other dishes. 3. A playful leap or hop. available to fill out. had collapsed on the surface and 4. A ludicrous or grotesque act done The book understandably did not ultimately blocked any further progress. for fun and amusement, or frivolous contain specific directions to the caves. The trip out was mostly backtracking, escapade or prank. 5. A crime (espe- Instead, posted in the registration tent though we exited through a different (and were large topo maps of the area, with the very muddy) crawlway to a different cially a robbery) various cave locations marked. That was entrance they have dug into this section not too helpful to me, since I do not read of the cave. (Thanks to the mud, my new Friday afternoon, August 5 found me topo maps well. I don’t know if there helmet ended up looking appropriately driving into the Crawford County 4-H would be an easier and yet still secure broken-in.) Fairgrounds, just south of Marengo, way to provide cave directions to Capers nd Indiana, for the 52 annual Cave Capers. participants. This venue for Capers seemed to be much Also at Capers were various vendors more spacious, though not quite as of stuff, including Howie of Howie’s scenic, as Delaney Park near Salem, where Harnesses. Having caved for the past 8 I had been several years ago. Scenic years or so with an old Illinois Power hard didn’t matter; space was important, hat, I finally decided to look respectable because it meant people who actually and get a Petzl Ecrin Roc helmet from wanted to sleep at night (like me) could Howie. And since there was a 10% camp relatively far from those who discount if you bought a helmet & light Marengo Crew Photo by John Schirle apparently feel caving is more fun with a together, well, how could I not add a hangover and no sleep. helmet-mountable Petzel Duo? Saturday evening the CIG put on a I decided to forgo the evening great BBQ for everyone. I hung out with entertainment, and instead spent my time Laura Lexander and other Windy City folk. reading my free copies of the CIG (Illinois cavers were decidedly the newsletter and attaching my new minority.) Afterward they gave away door headlamp to my new helmet, with nothing prizes (I didn’t win any), and had a more than my trusty Swiss Army knife. (I fascinating program. The speaker was considered rubbing mud on my new Mark Minton, part of a team of US cavers helmet so I would not be embarrassed the pushing for the world deep cave record next day.) in Mexico. The pictures alone of the kinds Formations in Marengo On Saturday I chose to go on one of of rigging required to safely navigate a Photo by John Schirle the led trips. This was to the “New cave like this were enough to make me Discovery” section of , a shiver. The Central Indiana Grotto did a section where they do not do tours or Sunday I took advantage of more tremendous job of organizing the event, currently even take “wild” caving tours. freebies. Marengo and Wyandotte Caves including vendors, food, cave trips, The leader was Gordon Smith, the owner were offering all their regular tours free to entertainment, and an excellent guide of Marengo Cave and co-manager of the Capers participants, so I did one of each, book with cave descriptions and maps. IDNR’s Wyandotte Caverns concession. and headed for home. When I arrived, I quickly registered and The nine of us went first through the received a wrist band and parking tag. Crystal Palace tour section of Marengo, They also had free copies of past CIG to the “Blowing Crawl.” This entrance newsletters, which I latched onto. to the rest of the cave was just discovered In the registration tent they had posted in 1992. The crawl was not real long, but Read more about the Central about 12-15 cave trips for the next day one of those twisty ones where you have Indiana Grotto's Cave Capers with various levels of difficulty. Most had to take your time. From there we emerged a limit on the number who could sign up. on-line at into stream passage, some walking, some www.cavecapers.com Sign ups sheets were to be posted at 8 duck-walking, a little crawling. Within no

THE NEAR NORMAL NEWS, September 2005 p. 8 DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL by Jason Kern

“Are you really taking me caving came up to do the same thing, but the said Wye Cave is worth checking out tomorrow?! Are we going to leave closer they came the more doubtful “Last cave, Kate.” before anybody gets up? Are we they became, except for “dad.” The Down we go! Yes, this is a cave! going to drive all day and go rest of the family were begging him to Breakdown, belly crawling, dry mud camping too?” come down before he even made it up (thank you), and tight squeezes, and “Whoa! That’s enough questions six feet. I was just smiling to myself my girl is having a blast! So am I little girl. We are not leaving early, not and thinking “You sissies.” Those two but...there...is...a...really...tight... driving all day, and not camping. We children had at least 3 years on my crawl. Do I dare even try to get my are going to have fun.” I hope. girl. My next thought was, “I hope today firstborn down there? Oh, the First destination: Maquoketa Caves isn’t learning about pride coming temptation! But I just can’t. At least State Park! We drove into the park at before the fall.” On we go. not this time! O.K. This cave defeated 11:00, and it was crowded. I parked in Outside Dancehall is a small cave, us so back we go. the second to the last spot over the a belly-crawl, climb-up, climb-down, Going up the breakdown we both Upper Dancehall Cave with a car right get-wet kind of cave, and Katelyn loved notice an opening on the opposite side behind me taking the last spot and it! Even the part when both our lights of the entrance. We crawl to a spot more vehicles on their way. ran out of batteries! And what’dya that we can’t get our helmet through We geared up ready to go and know, we both had back-ups. Methinks but if we take off our helmet we can Katelyn could hardly contain herself. I have a caver with me. We went all make it and we do. It keeps getting a “Where are they? Do we little tighter and tighter. I have to walk very far?” think we can keep going “Nope, we are over one but Katelyn finally gives in. right now but we do have I’m ready to throw in the to walk to some. There towel myself. The cave are caves all over this beat us twice. park! Are you ready?” We come out of the “YES! YES! YES!” cave and on the trail back The excitement of a child. she says, “Can we go to So far, it’s fun. two more?” Our first cave is I just laugh and say, Dancehall Cave, and she “One more and that’s it.” thought it was all right. We play around and call “It’s big” was all she it a day. said, at first. Then she Second destination. It asked “Is that a is after 5:00. Must be cave...in...a cave? something about caving or There’s a lot of people wanting to the way in, doubled back a little, and central Illinois because Kate picks out go in there. Can we go to another went down a vertical! My daughter did Taco John’s for supper. Mexican Food! one?” a vertical shaft!! I might have been a Who would’a thunk? “We have to get out of this big one little proud but I was much more Third destination: We are in the first but we can go find other caves.” excited than proud. Out we go without driveway just after 9:00. Before going So, on we go. incident. to sleep Katelyn asks, “Can we go After exiting Dancehall Cave we went Since our batteries were no good we next week?” on to see the natural bridge. She hardly went back to the truck for lunch and a A few weeks later I ask her what she looked up. new set of batteries. Man, this place liked about the caving trip. This is what On the other side she thought she is packed! I even see a Jeep Wrangler the 7 year old enjoyed: dark, climbing, saw a cave so we did some climbing. with Illinois plates and the word crawling, mud, water, and watching I was impressed at this 7-year-old’s CAVERGRL. Awesome. people go by and they not noticing us. agility! Maybe she is older than I think. “Two or three more caves and we Me too! Maybe she is not dad’s little girl have to go.” She’s my little girl. anymore. Katelyn and I climbed to her “Maybe 4.” Says she..... destination (she has the Kern climbing ”Hooked!” thinks me. gene!), found it was a very little cave, We find Rainy Day Cave and Ice but still enjoyed the climb. Cave are nice, but it is obvious that After climbing down, a family of four she is looking for more. Another caver

THE NEAR NORMAL NEWS, September 2005 p. 9 THE NEAR NORMAL GROTTO P.O. BOX 813 NORMAL, IL 61761