Just what the doctor ordered

  Well, I haven’t actually talked to a doctor, but sometimes my family suggests things to me that are therapeutic. Sometimes it’s chocolate, and sometimes not. Take Monday, for instance. Outdoor enthusiast son Mike strongly suggested I accompany him and Jill on a hike to the Savona Caves. In all my 18 years of living in this area, I’ve never been explored that area. 

It was fantastic and a much needed break from being home, in the kitchen, near the computer, and just generally around the house. It’s just good to get away sometimes, and especially satisfying to be in the great outdoors.   
A good part of the hike  was … a climb. The kind where you use muscles you forgot you had, and then you lean against a trusty tree and catch your breath, wipe the sweat off your brow,  then continue stumbling upward once more. A good workout. With the aid of my trusty trekking poles, it seemed a lot easier than I had envisioned.  And more enjoyable.

I’ve never explored a cave before. This one was low –ceilinged, so we had to stoop around in it. The view looking out was incredible! I felt like we were thousands of miles from civilization, and I was an eagle on my perch.  In the cavern, we noted  a lot of poop splatted on the rocks -- we think from bats. There looked to be a bear’s sleeping spot at the back of the cave, as well. I could imagine the coziness of this den while snow would be swirling around outside.  

And a little serendipity-- we came across a geocache container stuffed full of interesting ‘gifts’ other hikers had left behind, including a guest notepad and pencil. Hikers are encouraged to  take something from the box (if  so inclined) and leave something behind.. Mike left a pair of 3D glasses and Jill left a note encouraging the recipient to wear them “because the view is so much better in 3D” ha!ha!