Lex was filling his sample jars with mica before we even got out of the parking lot!

The view is just amazing! All the way around.

We started with a picnic lunch, despite protests from the kids, who were super eager to get into the mine!

Almost there… must pose for a picture first.

Or a few pictures. :)

Into the mine! At last!

Dad, pausing to explain something on the ceiling to Eve (who you can barely see in the shadow).

Don’t hammer on the pillar!

First stop, into the caves to check out the water level.

This picture cracks me up because Eve looks so delicate and pink. She brought a stuffed animal in a carry bag and just looks delicate. That lasted about a minute before the toy went into the rock bag and her hands were filled with tools!

In the caves.

Handsome boy, always happy to smile for the camera.

Dad, chiseling away what we thought was beryl but maybe wasn’t.

Lex, working hard on a big block of quartz. I wanted to just take the whole thing home!

Eve, hard at work, or so it would seem. When I got a little closer I discovered the true story.

This is her “I’m a little embarrassed” smile. Turns out she had hammered the chisel straight into a crack in the wall with no clear idea how to use a chisel or how to get it out of the wall!

Grandpa Tom to the rescue. He got the chisel out and gave her a lesson on how to use it.

I think these holes are so cool. I always imagine ancient cave dwellers living in them. Turns out it’s just the results from past blasting. Still pretty, but a much less cool story.

Nice find, Mema!

Miners, hard at work.

Looking back towards the entry.

There is a kid-sized tunnel that runs in the rock. In the tunnel is one little window for peeking out.

The end of the tunnel. I went through a few times, but as a semi-tall person I had to stay bent over for most of the path. Not the most comfortable, but it is pretty cool inside.

I love this big sheet of mica, also known as isinglass (Mema, I Googled it!) It is super fragile, but thanks to Mema’s good ideas it survived the trip home and now decorates my shelf.

Eve took it upon herself to help this little creek flow better. All along the way she moved rocks, terraformed the muddy banks, and did what she could to assist the creek. Thoughtful girl. :)

Mema The Brave offered to hold the chisel while Lex hammered off a piece of this quartz. I’m happy to say it was an injury free day!

Near the end, looking back.

Grandpa Tom found this big rock full of mica. He and the kids chipped away at it, creating beautiful mica glitter.

We made it to the end! Time to refuel before turning around and heading up the hill, carrying bags full of rocks!

Happy miners!

On our way back up the path.

Me and the kids.

Eve was happy this day that we both were wearing “hats with brims that go all the way around to protect our necks and ears.” All those times I encouraged her to wear a hat with a good brim and she remembers and encourages me as well. :)

This rock was full of names and initials. Dad added a few of his own.

T + ME

Awww… the cute couple!

We all worked together to carry five bags of rocks out of the mine!

Back at the top we flopped down to watch the information video and rest!