"We'd probably better try to get some food in these kids," said Julie. "Especially since they need to walk all the way back to the car."
The group took the left fork, and spread out their sandwiches, chips, fruit, and more on the large table rock. As expected, Ollie and Zander took a combined three bites of lunch. Afterwards they packed everything up, took a few more pictures, and headed back the way they had come in.
Jeff was glad to see them when they returned to his waiting spot, and he struggled a bit to scale the wall back out of the cave opening, but otherwise it was a pretty great day.
YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT IS THE WHOLE FAMILY GOING OUT TO DINNER, ON JEFF. PLEASE COPY THIS PAGE'S URL AND EMAIL IT TO JEFF TO CLAIM YOUR GIFT.
Monday, December 26, 2016
PAGE 5
"So you're going to stay here, Jeff?" asked Jaben. "It's probably a little much to ask you to watch both boys in an unfamiliar cave, especially if you're not at 100%. So we'll keep them with us."
The Chavezes waived goodbye to Jeff and continued through a series of cave chambers, some larger than others, but all easily big enough for all to go on. There were no other people, no bats, no bears, plenty of great photo opportunities...this cave was a truly great find.
After about 15 minutes, they reached a fork in their path through the catacomb. Down the path to the left, they could see another chamber with a large flat stone in the middle. It would be perfect to use as a table for the lunch they had packed.
The visibility was not as high on the path leading to the right, but the sound of rushing water was evident, "It's probably a waterfall," Jaben said.
"We should jump off it!" Julie said impulsively.
"Yeah, jump off it!" Zander chimed in.
"That would be really fun," said Jaben. "But we probably don't have time to do both. Which do you prefer?"
IF YOU WANT TO STOP TO EAT LUNCH, GO TO PAGE 10
IF YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR THE WATERFALL SO YOU CAN JUMP OFF IT, GO TO PAGE 11
The Chavezes waived goodbye to Jeff and continued through a series of cave chambers, some larger than others, but all easily big enough for all to go on. There were no other people, no bats, no bears, plenty of great photo opportunities...this cave was a truly great find.
After about 15 minutes, they reached a fork in their path through the catacomb. Down the path to the left, they could see another chamber with a large flat stone in the middle. It would be perfect to use as a table for the lunch they had packed.
The visibility was not as high on the path leading to the right, but the sound of rushing water was evident, "It's probably a waterfall," Jaben said.
"We should jump off it!" Julie said impulsively.
"Yeah, jump off it!" Zander chimed in.
"That would be really fun," said Jaben. "But we probably don't have time to do both. Which do you prefer?"
IF YOU WANT TO STOP TO EAT LUNCH, GO TO PAGE 10
IF YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR THE WATERFALL SO YOU CAN JUMP OFF IT, GO TO PAGE 11
PAGE 9
"We eat lunch every day," said Julie, "but we don't get to go chasing waterfalls very often."
After hearing that sound logic, the couple took the fork to the right. From there, the cave narrowed significantly, but still not enough to cause major problems. It was also getting more difficult to see, so Jaben and Julie held each other's hand as they picked their way towards the sound of the water.
After about ten minutes, they reached the narrowest opening they'd come to yet--but on the other side was the waterfall! They wiggled and squirmed their way through the crevice and stood at the water's edge.
After shining their lights down the falls, their best estimates indicated that the falls were short enough and the pool deep enough that they just might not die. The waterfall was also wider than anticipated, so they stood shoulder to shoulder, holding hands, and Thelma and Louise'd it out into the abyss.
YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT IS A NONFOOD ADVENTURE FOR THE TWO OF YOU ON JEFF, WHILE JEFF BABYSITS. PLEASE COPY THIS PAGE'S URL AND EMAIL IT TO JEFF TO CLAIM YOUR GIFT.
After hearing that sound logic, the couple took the fork to the right. From there, the cave narrowed significantly, but still not enough to cause major problems. It was also getting more difficult to see, so Jaben and Julie held each other's hand as they picked their way towards the sound of the water.
After about ten minutes, they reached the narrowest opening they'd come to yet--but on the other side was the waterfall! They wiggled and squirmed their way through the crevice and stood at the water's edge.
After shining their lights down the falls, their best estimates indicated that the falls were short enough and the pool deep enough that they just might not die. The waterfall was also wider than anticipated, so they stood shoulder to shoulder, holding hands, and Thelma and Louise'd it out into the abyss.
YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT IS A NONFOOD ADVENTURE FOR THE TWO OF YOU ON JEFF, WHILE JEFF BABYSITS. PLEASE COPY THIS PAGE'S URL AND EMAIL IT TO JEFF TO CLAIM YOUR GIFT.
PAGE 11
"We eat lunch every day," said Julie, "but we don't get to go chasing waterfalls very often."
After hearing that sound logic, the family took the fork to the right. From there, the cave narrowed significantly, but still not enough to cause major problems. It was also getting more difficult to see, and Jaben and Julie each held the hand of one of their sons as they picked their way towards the sound of the water.
After about ten minutes, they reached the narrowest opening they'd come to yet--but on the other side was the waterfall! They wiggled and squirmed their way through the crevice and stood at the water's edge.
After shining their lights down the falls, their best estimates indicated that the falls were short enough and the pool deep enough that they just might not die. The waterfall was also wider than anticipated, so the four of them lined up, with Ollie between the two parents and Zander holding Jaben's other hand, and they then played the most exhilarating round of "1-2-3 Jump!" any of them had ever been involved with.
YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT IS A NONFOOD ADVENTURE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, ON JEFF. PLEASE COPY THIS PAGE'S URL AND EMAIL IT TO JEFF TO CLAIM YOUR GIFT.
After hearing that sound logic, the family took the fork to the right. From there, the cave narrowed significantly, but still not enough to cause major problems. It was also getting more difficult to see, and Jaben and Julie each held the hand of one of their sons as they picked their way towards the sound of the water.
After about ten minutes, they reached the narrowest opening they'd come to yet--but on the other side was the waterfall! They wiggled and squirmed their way through the crevice and stood at the water's edge.
After shining their lights down the falls, their best estimates indicated that the falls were short enough and the pool deep enough that they just might not die. The waterfall was also wider than anticipated, so the four of them lined up, with Ollie between the two parents and Zander holding Jaben's other hand, and they then played the most exhilarating round of "1-2-3 Jump!" any of them had ever been involved with.
YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT IS A NONFOOD ADVENTURE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, ON JEFF. PLEASE COPY THIS PAGE'S URL AND EMAIL IT TO JEFF TO CLAIM YOUR GIFT.
PAGE 8
"Ooh, baby, let's do the romantic lunch," said Julie.
And so they propped the flashlights between some rocks and spread out their food. Since they'd already been gone for a while, they ate fast, and it really wasn't all that romantic. But it sure was nice to have some time for just the two of them for a change.
YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT IS GOING OUT TO DINNER ON JEFF WHILE HE BABYSITS. PLEASE COPY THIS PAGE'S URL AND EMAIL IT TO JEFF TO CLAIM YOUR GIFT.
And so they propped the flashlights between some rocks and spread out their food. Since they'd already been gone for a while, they ate fast, and it really wasn't all that romantic. But it sure was nice to have some time for just the two of them for a change.
YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT IS GOING OUT TO DINNER ON JEFF WHILE HE BABYSITS. PLEASE COPY THIS PAGE'S URL AND EMAIL IT TO JEFF TO CLAIM YOUR GIFT.
PAGE 4
"Jeff, if you're feeling like you don't want to go farther, would you mind keeping the kids here with you while Julie and I check this out a little more?"
"Sure," said Jeff. "You guys want to have a snack with your Uncle Jeffy?"
The boys surprisingly agreed, and Julie and Jaben quietly sneaked off while Jeff was getting the snacks out.
They continued through a series of cave chambers, some larger than others, but all easily big enough for for the two of them to move on. There were no other people, no bats, no bears, plenty of great photo opportunities...this cave was a truly great find.
After about 15 minutes, they reached a fork in their path through the catacomb. Down the path to the left, they could see another chamber with a large flat stone in the middle.
"Jeff has the snacks, but we have the lunch," Jaben said. "And we have these two big flashlights. It would be the perfect place for a romantic, 'candlelit' lunch."
The visibility was not as high on the path leading to the right, but the sound of rushing water was evident, "It's probably a waterfall," Jaben said.
"We should jump off it!" Julie said impulsively.
"That would be really fun," said Jaben. "But we probably don't have time to do both. Which do you prefer?"
IF YOU WANT TO STOP TO EAT A ROMANTIC LUNCH, GO TO PAGE 8
IF YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR THE WATERFALL SO YOU CAN JUMP OFF IT, GO TO PAGE 9
"Sure," said Jeff. "You guys want to have a snack with your Uncle Jeffy?"
The boys surprisingly agreed, and Julie and Jaben quietly sneaked off while Jeff was getting the snacks out.
They continued through a series of cave chambers, some larger than others, but all easily big enough for for the two of them to move on. There were no other people, no bats, no bears, plenty of great photo opportunities...this cave was a truly great find.
After about 15 minutes, they reached a fork in their path through the catacomb. Down the path to the left, they could see another chamber with a large flat stone in the middle.
"Jeff has the snacks, but we have the lunch," Jaben said. "And we have these two big flashlights. It would be the perfect place for a romantic, 'candlelit' lunch."
The visibility was not as high on the path leading to the right, but the sound of rushing water was evident, "It's probably a waterfall," Jaben said.
"We should jump off it!" Julie said impulsively.
"That would be really fun," said Jaben. "But we probably don't have time to do both. Which do you prefer?"
IF YOU WANT TO STOP TO EAT A ROMANTIC LUNCH, GO TO PAGE 8
IF YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR THE WATERFALL SO YOU CAN JUMP OFF IT, GO TO PAGE 9
PAGE 7
"We eat lunch every day," said Julie, "but we don't get to go chasing waterfalls very often."
After hearing that sound logic, the group took the fork to the right. From there, the cave narrowed significantly, but still not enough to cause major problems. It was also getting more difficult to see, and Jaben and Julie each held the hand of one of their sons as they picked their way towards the sound of the water.
After about ten minutes, they reached the narrowest opening they'd come to yet--but on the other side was the waterfall! They wiggled and squirmed their way through the crevice and stood at the water's edge.
After shining their lights down the falls, their best estimates indicated that the falls were short enough and the pool deep enough that they just might not die. The waterfall was also wider than anticipated, so the five of them lined up, with Ollie and Zander between two adults each, and then played the most exhilarating round of "1-2-3 Jump!" any of them had ever been involved with.
YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT IS A NONFOOD ADVENTURE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY WITH JEFF. PLEASE COPY THIS PAGE'S URL AND EMAIL IT TO JEFF TO CLAIM YOUR GIFT.
After hearing that sound logic, the group took the fork to the right. From there, the cave narrowed significantly, but still not enough to cause major problems. It was also getting more difficult to see, and Jaben and Julie each held the hand of one of their sons as they picked their way towards the sound of the water.
After about ten minutes, they reached the narrowest opening they'd come to yet--but on the other side was the waterfall! They wiggled and squirmed their way through the crevice and stood at the water's edge.
After shining their lights down the falls, their best estimates indicated that the falls were short enough and the pool deep enough that they just might not die. The waterfall was also wider than anticipated, so the five of them lined up, with Ollie and Zander between two adults each, and then played the most exhilarating round of "1-2-3 Jump!" any of them had ever been involved with.
YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT IS A NONFOOD ADVENTURE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY WITH JEFF. PLEASE COPY THIS PAGE'S URL AND EMAIL IT TO JEFF TO CLAIM YOUR GIFT.
PAGE 6
"We'd probably better try to get some food in these kids," said Julie. "Especially since they need to walk all the way back to the car."
The group took the left fork, and spread out their sandwiches, chips, fruit, and more on the large table rock. As expected, Ollie and Zander took a combined three bites of lunch, and Jeff ate more than his fair share. Afterwards they packed everything up, took a few more pictures, and headed back the way they had come in.
Jeff struggled a bit to scale the wall back out of the cave opening, but otherwise it was a pretty great day.
YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT IS THE WHOLE FAMILY GOING OUT TO DINNER WITH JEFF. PLEASE COPY THIS PAGE'S URL AND EMAIL IT TO JEFF TO CLAIM YOUR GIFT.
The group took the left fork, and spread out their sandwiches, chips, fruit, and more on the large table rock. As expected, Ollie and Zander took a combined three bites of lunch, and Jeff ate more than his fair share. Afterwards they packed everything up, took a few more pictures, and headed back the way they had come in.
Jeff struggled a bit to scale the wall back out of the cave opening, but otherwise it was a pretty great day.
YOUR CHRISTMAS PRESENT IS THE WHOLE FAMILY GOING OUT TO DINNER WITH JEFF. PLEASE COPY THIS PAGE'S URL AND EMAIL IT TO JEFF TO CLAIM YOUR GIFT.
PAGE 3
"The safest thing to do is to all stick together," Jaben said. "We won't try to squeeze through any areas we can't all easily fit through."
They continued through a series of cave chambers, some larger than others, but all easily big enough for all to go on. There were no other people, no bats, no bears, plenty of great photo opportunities...this cave was a truly great find.
After about 15 minutes, they reached a fork in their path through the catacomb. Down the path to the left, they could see another chamber with a large flat stone in the middle. It would be perfect to use as a table for the lunch they had packed.
The visibility was not as high on the path leading to the right, but the sound of rushing water was evident, "It's probably a waterfall," Jaben said.
"We should jump off it!" Julie said impulsively.
"Yeah, jump off it!" Zander chimed in.
"That would be really fun," said Jaben. "But we probably don't have time to do both. Which do you prefer?"
"You know me," said Jeff. "I'll always pick food over pretty much anything. But I'll go along with whatever you guys decide to do."
IF YOU WANT TO STOP TO EAT LUNCH, GO TO PAGE 6
IF YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR THE WATERFALL SO YOU CAN JUMP OFF IT, GO TO PAGE 7
They continued through a series of cave chambers, some larger than others, but all easily big enough for all to go on. There were no other people, no bats, no bears, plenty of great photo opportunities...this cave was a truly great find.
After about 15 minutes, they reached a fork in their path through the catacomb. Down the path to the left, they could see another chamber with a large flat stone in the middle. It would be perfect to use as a table for the lunch they had packed.
The visibility was not as high on the path leading to the right, but the sound of rushing water was evident, "It's probably a waterfall," Jaben said.
"We should jump off it!" Julie said impulsively.
"Yeah, jump off it!" Zander chimed in.
"That would be really fun," said Jaben. "But we probably don't have time to do both. Which do you prefer?"
"You know me," said Jeff. "I'll always pick food over pretty much anything. But I'll go along with whatever you guys decide to do."
IF YOU WANT TO STOP TO EAT LUNCH, GO TO PAGE 6
IF YOU WANT TO LOOK FOR THE WATERFALL SO YOU CAN JUMP OFF IT, GO TO PAGE 7
PAGE 2
Jeff and Jaben ran towards the spot where Julie disappeared, and came dangerously close to suffering the same fate. There, hidden beneath some brush, was a large, dark hole.
"I'm ok, guys!" Julie called from the hole. "Where I fell is only a few feet deep. And then just a bit farther on the cave opens up a ton. Can you drop me down the flashlight? My phone can only do so much."
Jaben dropped the flashlight down to his wife, and she shone it on the parts of the cave entrance the boys could see from above.
"You should all come down here," she said. "Look, it's a short drop, and if we don't find an easier way out, there's some holds on this wall we could use to climb out."
Jeff and Jaben lowered Zander and Ollie into the hole, and then dropped down themselves. With the flashlights on, it was bright enough that the kids didn't get scared, and just as Julie had said, after ducking under one overhang and walking for a few seconds, they came upon a wide open, well-lit section of the cave. They looked around at their new surroundings for a bit, but just as before, Julie soon wanted to move on.
Jeff was hesitant. "We haven't seen any other parts of this cave," he said. "It looks like there might be other huge chambers like this one, but we don't know how narrow or dark or dangerous it gets beyond this point."
Jaben was keen to see more of the cave too, so now they had a dilemma: would the less-experienced hikers and climbers be safer staying behind? Or would it be safer for them to stick with those who know what they're doing? With all the huffing and puffing Jeff was doing, would he even be able to take care of the kids if they were all left behind?
IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THE WHOLE FAMILY TOGETHER AS YOU CONTINUE INTO THE CAVE, GO TO PAGE 3
IF YOU WANT TO LEAVE THE KIDS BEHIND WITH JEFF WHILE YOU EXPLORE FURTHER, GO TO PAGE 4
IF YOU THINK JEFF IS PROBABLY BETTER OFF WAITING BEHIND, BUT THE BEST OPTION FOR THE BOYS IS KEEPING THEM WITH YOU, GO TO PAGE 5
"I'm ok, guys!" Julie called from the hole. "Where I fell is only a few feet deep. And then just a bit farther on the cave opens up a ton. Can you drop me down the flashlight? My phone can only do so much."
Jaben dropped the flashlight down to his wife, and she shone it on the parts of the cave entrance the boys could see from above.
"You should all come down here," she said. "Look, it's a short drop, and if we don't find an easier way out, there's some holds on this wall we could use to climb out."
Jeff and Jaben lowered Zander and Ollie into the hole, and then dropped down themselves. With the flashlights on, it was bright enough that the kids didn't get scared, and just as Julie had said, after ducking under one overhang and walking for a few seconds, they came upon a wide open, well-lit section of the cave. They looked around at their new surroundings for a bit, but just as before, Julie soon wanted to move on.
Jeff was hesitant. "We haven't seen any other parts of this cave," he said. "It looks like there might be other huge chambers like this one, but we don't know how narrow or dark or dangerous it gets beyond this point."
Jaben was keen to see more of the cave too, so now they had a dilemma: would the less-experienced hikers and climbers be safer staying behind? Or would it be safer for them to stick with those who know what they're doing? With all the huffing and puffing Jeff was doing, would he even be able to take care of the kids if they were all left behind?
IF YOU WANT TO KEEP THE WHOLE FAMILY TOGETHER AS YOU CONTINUE INTO THE CAVE, GO TO PAGE 3
IF YOU WANT TO LEAVE THE KIDS BEHIND WITH JEFF WHILE YOU EXPLORE FURTHER, GO TO PAGE 4
IF YOU THINK JEFF IS PROBABLY BETTER OFF WAITING BEHIND, BUT THE BEST OPTION FOR THE BOYS IS KEEPING THEM WITH YOU, GO TO PAGE 5
PAGE 1
Jeff thought Julie was joking when she invited him to go hiking with her family.
"Me and hiking don't get along," he said.
"Well," said Julie, "I was kinda hoping you'd want to come and help us out with the kids."
"I guess, if you're doing a hike that's easy enough for Ollie, I can probably hack it too. I mean, if I can't match the pace of a 2-year-old, I probably deserve to die on the side of a mountain, right?
----
That Saturday Jeff met the Chavez clan at the trail head. The weather was beautiful, not too hot, and the five of them set out. With Jaben, Julie, and Jeff teaming up, they managed to keep Ollie and Zander from wandering off the path, and from getting too bored or complaining much.
Jeff was actually the first to raise a stink. Although the slope was gentle, he felt like he was getting shin splints, and he asked for frequent rest stops. During the third stop in a 20-minute span, Julie was getting frustrated at her group's slow pace.
"I'm going to walk ahead just a little," she said. "I'll wait for y'all a little ways up the trail."
Julie walked less than 100 feet before she suddenly disappeared from sight. It was as is the earth had swallowed her up.
GO TO PAGE 2
"Me and hiking don't get along," he said.
"Well," said Julie, "I was kinda hoping you'd want to come and help us out with the kids."
"I guess, if you're doing a hike that's easy enough for Ollie, I can probably hack it too. I mean, if I can't match the pace of a 2-year-old, I probably deserve to die on the side of a mountain, right?
----
That Saturday Jeff met the Chavez clan at the trail head. The weather was beautiful, not too hot, and the five of them set out. With Jaben, Julie, and Jeff teaming up, they managed to keep Ollie and Zander from wandering off the path, and from getting too bored or complaining much.
Jeff was actually the first to raise a stink. Although the slope was gentle, he felt like he was getting shin splints, and he asked for frequent rest stops. During the third stop in a 20-minute span, Julie was getting frustrated at her group's slow pace.
"I'm going to walk ahead just a little," she said. "I'll wait for y'all a little ways up the trail."
Julie walked less than 100 feet before she suddenly disappeared from sight. It was as is the earth had swallowed her up.
GO TO PAGE 2
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