cute applique

Most of you know that I do monogramming. I saw this on a website and decided to replicate it on a $1.00 jacket from my favorite store...Rugged Wearhouse! Stephanie

Some old adventures

Brandi, Finn, and Maggie
Stephanie, Ethan, and Alec
Spring Break 2008 Treasure Hunt
Bluff River 2008 Entrance
Bluff River 2008

Cavers vs. Spelunkers

"What does spelunking mean? In simple terms, it means cave exploration. Spelunking is rooted in a Latin word spelunca, meaning cave. Technically, it is derived from the word Speleology that means “scientific study of caves”. Speleologists are scientists involved in the study of caves. They are the ones responsible for studying cave formations, etc."

What are their activities? Both of them follow a predetermined or prepared plan of activities or itineraries. They also both have objectives and expected outputs. But how do they really differ?

How is spelunking different than caving? Well, cavers enjoy the cave for the sheer enjoyment of discovery of the cave. Spelunkers enjoy exploring the caves as well, but add the excitement of scientific discovery. Both have a plan of action when it comes to entering the cave. Spelunkers create a more detailed and formal plan, while cavers are in it for the entertaining exploration of the cave.

I found this interesting because Stephanie is more like a spelunker and I am more like a caver. Stephanie has the degree in geology and loves to name and recognize the structures and formations. She has even corrected me a time or two. :) I love the idea of squeezing, crawling and maneuvering through the cave and enjoy the beauty of the cave.
Brandi

What is adventure?

I looked the word adventure up in the dictionary and here is what is says:
1. an exciting or very unusual experience.
2. participation in exciting undertakings or enterprises: the spirit of adventure.
3. a bold, usually risky undertaking; hazardous action of uncertain outcome.
4. a commercial or financial speculation of any kind; venture.

What we do fits definitions 1,2 and 3. But that is what makes adventure fun and an adrenaline rush. If it was the same old same old it would not be an adventure.

Adventure is not for everyone. You should never do something you are not comfortable with.

For Spring Break we are going on an adventure with www.trueadventuresports.com in Fort Payne, Alabama. We have no idea exactly what we are doing but I am sure it will be fun (It is supposed to be a surprise - think Amazing Race). The people at TAS are great at tailoring adventures to meet your needs. The even named the adventure after us "War-Mon" adventure war for Warlick and mon for Garmon. I always highly recommend them to everyone. Stephanie

Here are some of the photos I took yesterday. You can see us bottling the water in the Blue Hole, Finn and Ethan checking out a bat and some of the formations in the cave. Jess Elliott has many more formations we did not see. Next time, we will adventure deeper in the cave. Enjoy the photos!

Jess Elliott Cave

Where do I start...The gps coordinates were off, it came an unexpected blizzard, and we walked 5 miles with 7 kids (ages 7-12). With all of this happening I still had fun. It was definately an adventure that we will not soon forget. By the time we got to the cave the kids were pooped and were not impressed with the cave at all. I however loved the opening. It is amazing. I could just envision Indians sitting in the cave. The kids all found some fossils and Ethan found some cool pottery shards on the way to the cave. Stephanie

This was an abundance of adventure! We had a blast! From trekking in the snow up the mountain, feeling the excitement as we finally found the massive cave opening, to walking along the river back to our cars, this trip was exciting, exhausting and unforgettable. The kids loved finding geodes, bottling water at the source and throwing snowballs. We can't wait until the next adventure. Brandi

Best Granola Ever and So Easy.

For those of you that like the Publix Granola Bark but can't afford it. I have finally figured out the recipe.

You can use any combination or amount of stuff that you like, but the basics are
oats, sesame seeds, raisins, craisins, pumpkins seeds, sunflower seeds, sliced almonds, whole almonds and a great new product called florenta.

Mix the seed, nut mixture together, place on a sprayed sheet pan then generously mix the florenta in and bake for 16 minutes at 350 degrees.

The only problem is the florenta is kinda expensive, but it is enough to probably last a year. I put mine in the freezer so that is doesn't go bad.

To purchase florenta http://www.abelandschafer.com/merchant.ihtml?pid=418&step=4

Finally...we made a plan for winter break.

We had a plan and then changed it because of the impending weather. Sunday caving at Jess Elliot, a cave on Skyline WMA in Jackson County, Alabama. Caving is a great winter activity because for the most part it is around 60 degrees in the cave. We have caved in temperatures as cold as 12 degrees and you are always warm in the cave. The problem comes when you exit the cave and you are wet. NOT FUN!

Caves that we have visited

Raccon Mountain www.wildcave.com
Desoto Caverns http://desotocavernspark.com/
Manitou Cave with True Adventure Sports www.trueadventuresports.com
Sequoyah caverns http://www.sequoyahcaverns.com/
Mammoth Cave
several caves around Mammoth Cave
Bluff River
Noise Cave
White River Cave
I know there is more, however I can't remember them all. Maybe Brandi can remember more than me.

The favorite one with kids is Manitou Cave with True Adventure Sports. TAS has a way with kids. My kids and Brandi's kids beg to go and do an adventure with TAS. The things we have done with them: night hike (great fun), rappelling, Appalacian Trail Hike, Survival Class.

Winter Break

What to do winter break? That is the question.