For our anniversary, Josh and I started a tradition last year. We decided to take the day off of work to go on an anniversary adventure. We had so much fun last year that we decided we should continue the tradition every year. So, this year, we dropped the kids off at preschool and headed up north for this year's anniversary day trip. We began our day with breakfast in Anthem at a very good restaurant named Two Brothers Kitchen. It was a great start to our day. We then continued up to Flagstaff. Our next stop was a hike titled Lava River Cave. Lava River Cave is a mile long hike just north of Flagstaff in Coconino Forest near the San Francisco Peaks. The most intriguing part about this particular hike is that you are completely in the dark the entire time. To say the least, we were both very excited to try this hike.
After a little detour due to misdirections, we finally found the right dirt road that would lead us to Lava River Cave. As we continued through the mountains to our destination, the weather had begun to rain and sleet. We couldn't believe it. Luckily, we were hiking a cave so we at least wouldn't get wet. We arrived at the beginning of the hike and bundled up since inside the tube it is about forty degrees. So with flashlights in hand, we began the journey into the rocky opening in the ground to the pitch black lava tube.
As you can see, when we finished the hike, the sun was shining and the rain had disappeared (for now). Now onto our last and final stop of our adventure ... Lumberyard Brewery in Flagstaff. So, we headed back down the mountain, traveling through rain and hail. Lumberyard Brewery was a perfect final destination -- good food, good beer and good companionship. We even grabbed a growler of their hefeweizen to take home.
Cannot wait to start planning our anniversary day trip for next year!
Joshua, thank you so much for a special day out of the office. I love that everyday with you is an awesome adventure.
After a little detour due to misdirections, we finally found the right dirt road that would lead us to Lava River Cave. As we continued through the mountains to our destination, the weather had begun to rain and sleet. We couldn't believe it. Luckily, we were hiking a cave so we at least wouldn't get wet. We arrived at the beginning of the hike and bundled up since inside the tube it is about forty degrees. So with flashlights in hand, we began the journey into the rocky opening in the ground to the pitch black lava tube.
The Opening of the Cave
As we started down the trail in the cave, we immediately found ice frozen to the walls of the cave and along our pathway. It did make the initial desend a little challenging.
We continued through the lava tube. This is one of the coolest hikes I have ever tried. The walls when we shown light on them displayed colors that looked like rust and gold. We also found some mineral deposits that looked like calcium, although we are not sure if that would be present in an old lava tube.
The cave varied in size. At some points, it was so small that even I had to slump down in order not to hit my head (which I did do a couple of times). And then at other moments, it would open up to a huge tunnel.
Josh standing in the lava tube cave
More fantastic colors
On our way out of the hike ...
As you can see, when we finished the hike, the sun was shining and the rain had disappeared (for now). Now onto our last and final stop of our adventure ... Lumberyard Brewery in Flagstaff. So, we headed back down the mountain, traveling through rain and hail. Lumberyard Brewery was a perfect final destination -- good food, good beer and good companionship. We even grabbed a growler of their hefeweizen to take home.
Cannot wait to start planning our anniversary day trip for next year!
Joshua, thank you so much for a special day out of the office. I love that everyday with you is an awesome adventure.
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