Alabama Day 4 - Cathedral Caverns

This is day 4 of our trip but really it was our first full day in Alabama. And what a great day it was! Last night we stayed up playing board games which was a lot of fun even though we were all exhausted from our long drives. We've been friends for years but this is the first time I've met any of them in real life so the idea of sharing a house was a little intimidating. But so far it has been really great. One of my friends, Joyful, has a 7 year old daughter who is staying with us for about half the time and she is wonderful. She and Christian really hit it off and they spent the whole day together hanging out. 

Our whole group in Cathedral Caverns
From left: James, Will, Jon, Chris, Xenaz(Tyler), Ally,
Joyful(Rodge), Bethany(Wryn), Christian, and Sava(Brent)

Today started off nice and slow. Joyful made us all eggs and bacon for breakfast which we enjoyed as we slowly trickled in. (My friends do have real names but I've used their screen names for so many years now it feels weird to call them anything else!) The boys played video games mostly while the adults and Ally played some board games. Ally is super cute and helped her dad secure an awesome victory in Sheriff of Nottingham.

After lunch we drove over to Cathedral Caverns, about an hour away. We were late which was a little stressful but they very kindly held the tour for us. I was expecting something similar to the Undersea Lake but this cave was HUGE! Each room was massive and full of amazing stalagmites and stalactites. This cave had also been better curated in the past and was much better preserved. 

The huge entrance to the cave

Will and I running in because we were late!

The path in

(Photo credit to Chris)

Goliath (picture from Chris)

Reflecting pool

It was a great tour, the guide was friendly and very very Southern. And some of the rooms in the cave were really amazing. The tour ended at the back of the cave and we were able to walk out again at our own pace. That was especially nice because it allowed us to take pictures that we couldn't have in the larger group. Although it is hard to take good pictures even in a well lit cave! 

Me and Sava finally hanging out after... 4? years!

Me and Xenaz

Me with Joyful and Ally

So glad I get to "meet" everyone for the first time!

At the very end of the tour they lit up the back of the cave with "stars"

Joyful's sister and her family came with us on the cave tour but because we were late it wasn't really possible to get to know them at all until after the tour was over. So all the adults sat and chatted for a bit outside the gift shop while the kids played. While exploring they found a scorpion! Will especially was really great with the little kids and was adorably silly as he let the 4 year old girl beat him in a race. Then we were off to Joyful's parents' house for dinner. His family was wonderful and very welcoming. It made me really happy too that the kids had so much fun. 

Christian and Ally

It was dark when we got home and not very warm but the boys had waited too long already so we let them take a quick swim in the pool. It is deep! And possibly heated? They didn't swim long but did have a great time. Afterwards I played Stick Fight with Will and Jon while James put Christian to bed. The lack of a schedule has been hard on him but he is doing really well recovering from his occasional meltdowns. 

Late night swim

After the kids were in bed we played another game, one of my favorites. And I may have gone off a little hard at the beginning... But before we arrived I made a bet with Joyful that if the guys could beat me at every game I brought that I would get a tattoo. But since I have no intention of getting a tattoo I am determined not to lose. And Dutch Blitz is one of my favorite games anyway. Xenaz though came far too close for comfort! But it is late now and I am off to bed. Tomorrow is a day with no plans so hopefully there will be more of the pool and board games!