Caving!

We had the opportunity to go to Branson again. Our first stop was Talking Rocks Cavern. I thought it would be so fun to go "caving." Well, Nicole became terrified once we got inside and had to go down the stairs. I remembered going to Moaning Caverns (I think that's the right place) and being scared to death as a kid. We kept encouraging her but she just became more afraid and began crying. I don't like forcing her to do things like this but, by the time I decided she could go back, it was too late. We were closer to the end than the beginning. Fortunately, our tour guide, Charlie, was wonderful with her! By the end of the tour she was actually happy and enjoying herself. Still, she says she doesn't want to go back. Allyson, by the way, didn't seem to think anything of being inside a cave. Of course, Daddy was holding her most of the time.

This is called "cave bacon."

Nicole liked this rock as it looks like Mickey Mouse! 

The girls absolutely loved this Speleobox. It's an enclosed, maze-like structure designed to imitate caving. Adults and children can go inside. I went on the first try but it's a very tight space and you have to crawl through on your belly up and down various floors. We had to leave before finishing as the cave tour was starting. When we got back the girls went back inside by themselves and made it all theh way through.

It was actually pretty dim inside so they have little lighted ropes. You can't tell as the camera's flash went off.

Outside the cave is a mini-golf (we didn't have time as they were closing), another speleobox (thankfully we didn't have enough time, either!), and a place where kids can "mine" for precious stones. They had a blast doing this and Nicole walked away with a handful of jewels. We're still contemplating what to do with them.