Camp Wild Tuesday

Spoiler Alert: Tuesday was another adventure packed day at Camp Wild! 

Katie set up a private tour at The Old Spanish Treaure Cave between Gravette and Sulpher Springs, and scored us a sweet discount since there were 23 kids between the Willardsons, Messicks, Shaws, and Gulbransens, plus two friends. 

Here's our group! (Baby Sloane was asleep in her stroller)

We split into two groups and while one toured the cave, the other sluiced for crystals. 

Reese was thrilled to have her friend Emma come with us. I'm so happy that my daughters have such sweet girlfriends. 

The cave was great! I thought I would feel claustrophobic, but it was like walking inside a house in some places. The ceiling was low in other spots, but not enough to freak me out. Soren, on the other hand, would only go to Reese for most of the tour. I ended up passing Sloane to Julie, who was on her way out with the other group, so I could be free to carry Soren. That was all he needed and was cheerful the rest of the tour.  Quincy did not like when the ground sloped, and parked herself between Jill and Katie for most of the walking, so they "could catch  me if I fall into that endless hole." 

Our guide pointed out fossils and told the story of the treasure hidden by Spanish conquistadors. There are many who truly believe there is still a treasure hidden somewhere in the cave, and they close it down a few weeks through out the year for professionals to repel down crevices and mine for clues. They recently unearthed some mine cart tracks in the cave floor that were probably used by George Dunbar (a previous owner) and have been covered for almost 100 years. 

The Spanish treasure cave is one of many karst caves in our area, formed by water and limestone. Stalactites and stalagmites are everywhere, some look like jellyfish, some were columns, and others formed a large spine that peaked in a boat shape. The kids favorite part was the "enchanted forest". 

After the cave, we stopped for treats from the Wooden Spoon in Gentry, then  had a picnic lunch at Gentry park. 

That night, Reese and Quincy dressed up for an Activity Days Tea Party and the boys and I read some new Star Wars books together.