4x4 Meetup - Lava Cave & Cinder Hills OHV

See all of my pictures and some from the other members HERE.

Friday night we hitched up the camper after work and headed north. This weekend was a planned meetup group event to go to the lava river cave and Cinders OHV area near Flagstaff. By the time we made it up to Flagstaff, it was already dark out. We managed to get ahold Marcia's parents who arrived at our pre-planned meeting spot about 10 minutes after we got there. We found a spot to setup the campers and called it a night.

Saturday morning we kicked back and waited for the rest of the group to arrive. By 9am, the crew rolled in and after a little organization, we headed towards the lava cave west of the San Francisco Peaks.

Here is a picture of Marcia standing next to her Jeep.


To get from the camping area to the lava river cave, we took the Schultz Pass road on the north side of Flagstaff as a shortcut. Here's a photo of all the vehicles as we stopped for a break along the way.


Once we got down into the lava cave, it was really cold and dark.


We took the same route back to the campsite at the Cinders and spend the rest of Saturday and Sunday morning 4-wheelin' there.












Another groups posting with photos of the Cinder Hills OHV area.

Midwest Vacation -Part 7

Wedding Day. The day started with the photographer. Here is a good one of Raymond and Leslie.


Here is a photo from where they got married outside looking down over the lake.


As the wedding started, the flower girls came down the isle.


They had a candle lighting ceremony to remember a few of those who couldn't be there.


Next, Raymond and Leslie held hands for awhile.


Then, they released some doves.


And made out in front of everyone.


And finally decided to head inside for the reception.


My dad and his three sisters.


Marcia with my mom.


Sunday morning, we drove to the Kansas City airport and flew back to Phoenix. We almost had to stay for an extra month. When we went to check in, they didn't have tickets for us. After some reasearch, they found I had booked the flights for July 10 instead of June 10. Luckily they got us on a flight that day and we made it home.

Midwest Vacation -Part 6

Thursday morning, Sarah dropped Rachel off with us at the farm and went to work in Grinnell. We fed the dog and cats and then packed our suitcases to head towards Missouri. We were ahead of schedule, so we detoured through Rock Creek State Park and played on the slides.

From there we stopped for a snack at Casey's and went into the Theisen's in Grinnell. Rachel found a slinkey that we bought for her. We then met up with Sarah and headed to Des Moines to return our rental car. From there, we drove the rest of the day to Lake of the Ozarks, arriving around 9pm.

Friday morning we got up and went exploring. First we went down to the marina and then Rachel raced us up and down the stairs. After that, we went to the beach and relaxed for a couple of hours.

Midwest Vacation -Part 5

It's Wednesday. Mom and dad left for Missouri and Marcia and I headed to Des Moines to visit with Matt and Lori. On the way, we stopped at Theisen's in Marshalltown and increased the farm store count to 3. Marcia found the shoes and just had to buy a pair.



The joy of new shoes was quickly extinguished when we exited the store and found it raining.





But then we went to Taco Johns for lunch. I forgot to mention that we ate at Taco Johns in Ames on Monday, so this is the 3rd Taco Johns stop on our trip.



After Virgil dropped Marcia off at her sister's house in Des Moines, he headed over to visit The Woodsmith Store.



Here's a view of Matt and Lori's house and each direction of the street they live on. It's quite a different look than in AZ.







We were really hungry by now, so Maegan made supper for everyone.

Midwest Vacation -Part 4

Tuesday morning Virgil and dad went fishing for a couple hours. The catfish were really biting.




After fishing, we went down to the shed and tried out the plasma cutter and welder. The goal was to make a cutout of a cat to put in our yard in Phoenix.








And then it was time to do some more fishing. Marcia casts off looking for the big one.


Jake, Danielle, and Harrison take the boat out for a spin.

Midwest Vacation -Part 3

On Monday Leslie got us all tickets for the Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines.

As we entered the first area, Jake and Harrison cross the bridge.


Maegan points out something off that way.


Giraffes.


Penguins.


Jake has to chase Harrison out of the tunnels.


Jake, Danielle, and Harrison get close to the fish.


The seal and sea lion show.


Maegan dusts with the feathers the train conductor gave her.

Midwest Vacation -Part 2

On Sunday, everyone gathered for a BBQ at the farm.

Dad got out the 2 Kawasaki Mules and here's a picture of Virgil rolling out Rachel's Gator.


Rachel showed up in her fireman suit and firehose squirt gun. Marcia and Rachel go to battle.


Rachel gives Liana a ride.


Roy fires up the grill.


Here's a view of the south farm corn field.


A view down the driveway towards the shed.


And the house hidden back in the trees.


After lunch, a group of people went fishing down at the pond.


Everyone is getting into the boats.


Those who didn't go fishing went for a ride to look at the fenced off area with buffalo on the neighbor's property.


Dad, grandpa, and Marcia on the mule.


On the way back, we spotted a little fawn hiding in the weeds.


Jake, Danielle, and Harrison came over later in the afternoon. Rachel took Harrison for a ride on her gator.


Virgil and Jake fishing way on the other side of the pond.


Jake caught a big catfish.