The Spelunker

     We love caves.  I don't think I can count all the times we have gone to Carlsbad Caverns or Sonora Caverns.  Actually, Jerry always wanted to take the tours off the beaten paths -- to be a real spelunker and crawl through the 12 inch openings with only the light on your helmet for illumination.  Because of my size, my bad knees and my fear of getting stuck in very small spaces, I was not a candidate to go with him.  Sam was too young.  So, unfortunately, Jerry never got to do that. 
     One year, Sam, Jerry and I visited seven caves.  Carlsbad and Sonora were Sam's first caves to visit and we started the year off with those.  We went during Spring Break.  Then, in the summer during our annual trip to San Antonio and Lake Jackson, we went to Cascade Caverns, Natural Bridge Caverns and Inner Space in Georgetown.  Later that summer, my family had a Riel family reunion in the Black Hills of South Dakota (that's where Mt. Rushmore is).   During that trip, we visited Wind Cave (with Ranger Chris as our tour guide.  Sam was thrilled with the name!) and Jewel Cave.  Seven caves in one year.  Each one beautiful in its own way.  We were so happy that we started dreaming of other caves we could go to such as Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.  We planned that trip for next year but now not sure if Sam and I will go.
     Josie tells the story of her dad dangling her over the edge of the "Bottomless Pit" at Carlsbad when she was very young.  Jerry denied ever doing that!  But it shows his love of caves went way back.  And he gave that love to his kids.  Sam still gets a newsletter from a spelunker we met at a gem and mineral show that has explored Carlsbad and other caves in that area not open to the public.  So I know Jerry's passions will live on.  Happy caving!