Vacation - The fun comes to an end

Saturday
Wake up, pack up. Eat poptarts and granola bars in the car while driving out to caverns. Get there right when they open at 8:30am. Have argument with ticket lady. She "suggests" that we take the elevator down with the kids and pretty much refuses to accept the fact that we ARE going to walk in through the natural entrance. It's great to be there early in the morning. We see almost no other visitors, just a few park rangers. The cave is very dark and quiet. Matthew enjoys looking for "secret passages". Kids are great walking down.

Get drinks at the bottom. Remark that they've really scaled back on the underground store/cafeteria. We also think there are fewer trails open these days. Matthew is so excited to ride up the elevator that he's really not too interested in doing the walk around the Big Room. But we know we've got a long day of driving so we do it anyway. Probably not our smartest move. Kids aren't as cooperative as they were on the hike in. Jackson only wants to be held by Daddy and Matthew wants to be carried too. There is whining, crying, threats, etc. Finally ride up the elevator.

Get in the car and drive. Our goal: Grandparents' house, Harwood, TX

Steve is tempted to drive the 2 final hours to our house, but we have to stop anyway and I tell him "When I get out of the car, I'm not getting back in tonight."

We make it home before lunch on Sunday, and begin the unpacking and laundry.