During Labor Day 2006 we went to Moaning Cavern in Calaveras County, where you can optionally rappel 165 feet down into the cavern. The last 120 feet is away from any wall, so you are swining 12 stories above the cave floor from a single rope, in a cavern that would hold the Statute of Liberty.

Tess holds the Moaning Cavern sign at the resting spot about 130 feet up from the floor.

Two unidentified rappelers, looking up from from cavern floor.

Unidentified rappeler, photo taken from where Tess is holding the sign. Below this point is 120 feet of nothing.

Chris (Stephen's classmate) at the bottom of the rappel

Stephen coming in for a landing

Kim taking his time about 70 feet up. The spiral stair case at the right was built by a single person for 6 months.

Kim on final approach

Stephen and Chris mug for the camera

A formation

Kim, Chris, and Stephen watch the rappelers after them

Another formation

The team - Tess walked to the bottom so she could take photos

At the resting point on the walk back up. Those without helmets walked down - the hard way

We took a hike while awaiting our turn

Tess on the hike

The park had an Australian cockatoo named Cuddles