Well after an almost flat tire and great save by Shawnda we were headed out to adventure once more.

Now you should know other than a very few destinations none of our wandering has been planned to even the day we are going to be somewhere or planned at all for that matter. There are of course places and people we want to visit but the in between is where adventure lies.

Now we were headed to the great Teton mountains but in doing so you have to go where no Gallup has gone before.

No not the monster truck rally! But Addy probably would have loved it.

To the moon was our destination.

Craters of the Moon National Monument that is. As you approach you start to see the Barron wasteland of volcanic rock as far as you can see. Along the prairie volcanos rose out of nowhere and form some of the most spectacular geological formations we have seen yet.

After a brief stop at the visitors center we were off to the RV Park to get settled. The road into the monument is not one you want to be traversing with 24′ of truck and 42′ of camper behind you.

We headed back to the park arriving at 1700 and found that the tour busses and most visitors had left for the day. Oh the joy of playing it by ear and not being in a hurry. You get the place practically to yourself and at the coolest part of the day. The earlier 92 deg temps had cooled a bit and it was time for some short hike.

Now all the hiking in the park is on trail except for a few places and for good reason. Even though it is lava rock the environment is fragile. So down the trail you go.

I always wonder when passing roads, creeks, towns and places; who thought up there names. Well Devils Garden is no different I personally like the name, it draws you in and for the meek probably instills a little uneasiness. Not for us.

It was named by a priest that viewed the area a 100 years ago and said it was a garden only fit for the devil, Huh.

Now unfortunately some time ago park service management killed many of the pine trees here thinking they were an invasive species, Oops. This was not the case and unfortunately it takes a bit of time for a tree to grow on top of lava rock so the devil had his day I guess you could say.

The plant life here is sparse but what does exist is brilliant in color and form.

Now dead trees and sage brush is not quite enough to keep a kids interest. Climbing to the top of a lava cone? Yeah that will do. This is probably the most spectacular 360 view in the park and is the highest point.

Now it’s not a long hike but is more of an incline than what a picture can show you. Up ya go to the top as wind speeds increase the view opens up and atop the cone stands a lonely tree.

Now only time knows why a seed decided to end its journey here and it is not a question that it will answer. This is part of wonder. The entire monument can be explained in the short video you watch at the visitors center but no one can explain why this tree is here.

Now adventure is not adventure with out some cave diving. There is a place where you can crawl through a few lava tubes that have opened up over time .

I had to keep a close eye on Shawnda through here.

These are pretty tame but spectacular to see. The tubes have collapsed from above so of course there is a chance the whole thing will come crashing down in you.

But if you know where you are going you should be fine.

Oh crap which way?

We are lost aren’t we!! You can tell me.

We even found a small friend down in the depths of the park. He had the place all to himself.

It was one of the highlights of the day and you start thinking when will what caused all this beauty happen again.

The kids had a blast and I think everyone was happy to see the sun again as we poked our heads out in the other side.

Now we are off to visit our good Friend Murray. The Tetons and Yellowstone await!