Summer's End

Heith aged by another year this past Saturday. We decided to tour old town Scottsdale and make a day trip to Flagstaff. Taking a friend's suggestion, we visited the Lava River cave in the Coconino National Forest. After following several Forest Service roads for a few miles, we found a small parking spot and a trail leading to the mouth of the cave. Armed with batteries and back up lights, we made the descent down a rocky slope into a long underground "tunnel" formed by an ancient lava river. The hike rounds out at 3/4 mile, fairly easy for most anyone who enjoys caving or spelunking. The cave stays a chilly 30-40 degrees F year round. The cave is fun to explore for folks who prefer adventures off the beaten path and a great excuse to leave the desert for a day in the cool, mountain air of Flagstaff.