Bob had plans to meet up with some friends in Lava Hotsprings later in the day and since that was in our general direction we would join him on that trip. There was no rush in getting there so the morning was spent leaisurely packing up and setting off into the park to have a look at the main attraction, the lava tubes.
Lava formations
There are a handful of lava caves or tubes open to the public. We first stopped at the smaller and more confined of the lot, Buffalo Cave. The entrance to that cave was pretty tight with sharp lava rocks waiting to take skin from you but nothing that was unmanageable. The cave itself is pretty small but still large enough to make it interesting and worth going into. The lava formations and fungi growing on the rocks were interesting.
Buffalo Cave
From there we walked a short loop trail through the lava fields looking a the fauna. Bob worked in forestry and was therefore quite knowledgeable and able to point out interesting facts along the way.
The next cave on the list was quite small but the third one, Indian Tunnel was a proper lava tube going some 800 meters underground with a few opening allowing light in. That one was really great with a variety of lava patterns.
Indian tunnel lava tube
Zoe exploring the tighter portions of the cave
Once our caving expedition over we took to the road headed east. We rode quite a ways looking for food with limited options (once again!) We eventually found a 24/7 Mexican place in Blackfoot and settled for that. Food was basic Mexican but they had horchata and jamaica both Mexican drinks that Zoe had never tried and they were pretty good!
From here we decided to take the interstate 15 the rest of the way as the alternative roads were going to take a long time. We eventually arrived at our campsite in Lava Hot Springs just after 18:00, set up camp and decided to go into town to see about enjoying the said hot springs… Of course, it’s still memorial weekend and it appears the world and its dog were soaking in the springs! It was a complete zoo!
So we settle for a beer at the local tavern, outside in the beergarden where it was almost civilized and that beer turned into 2 and pizza with a lot of blogging in between.
From there we went back to our campsite which was also noisy courtesy of memorial weekend and the train tracks about 150 meters away! It’s a good thing we travel with ear plugs!
Not all campsites are peaceful and relaxing!
TA
Yesterday east, today south, not the final direction which should be north.
Advantage of having time on your side (you can’t remember this one, you weren’t born 😉
Here the weekend is called Ascension and it’s very busy also.
Not much choice for food and mainly Mexican, what do these guys eat? Only MD?
Baci for now, have another one to read
Indeed finding food of quality or more variety is an issue. Fast food chains and ready meals of poor nutritional value seem to be staple diet over here. Explains a lot about the size of the people! Few choices in fresh fruit and vegetables but many choices of crisps, snacks chocolates etc… we still find ways to stay alive and somewhat healthy! But the landscape makes up for it all
Oh boy ! Well good night and sleep tight !
xx Mum