Departing Crescent City, we make one last stop among the redwoods. It’s a short hike in Jedediah Smith Redwood State Park and takes us along a river and to another pretty oregon204[1]grove of very tall trees.  It’s a quick stop, but trees that are this large are always a treat to see.

The drive to Caves National Monument is uneventful and we arrive around lunchtime. We book our afternoon guided tour and time it such that we can get lunch now and get milkshakes at the conclusion of our tour before the snack shop closes.  Milkshake time is as critical as nap time as my loyal readers know.

The cave here is a marble cave which, we’re told, is less common. It was found in the 1800s and has been pretty picked over. Many of the bigger stalactites and stalagmites were broken off long ago by people who didn’t know they take thousands of years to be created.  Because of that, there are not as many intricate formations to view.   The cave is around 44F year round so right before we go in we put on many layers (it’s easily in the 80s outside the cave). The tour guide is knowledgeable and there are some interesting rooms, but it wasn’t something I would call “beautiful”.

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After about an hour and a half, we emerge from the cave and quickly remove our layers since it’s about forty degrees warmer outside than in the cave. The previous schedule strategizing worked out and we head back to the lunch room for milkshakes. The milkshakes are yummy, large, and refreshing. From here it’s time to shower and have dinner at the Lodge dining room before our departure tomorrow for Crater Lake.

View all the trip photos here:

http://www.sanjoseabrams.com/photos/OregonAugust2010/