Finding Community Caves & Spearfish Falls

Earlier this Fall we spent a day driving through the lovely Spearfish Canyon in search of pretty leaves and also two stops/hikes we hadn't done before -- to Community Caves and Spearfish Falls. The day did not disappoint. We found and thoroughly enjoyed both.

Community Caves is a short but seriously steep scramble/hike up a wash of loose rocks. Mabel did a fantastic job and we were pleasantly surprised by how large the caves were once we arrived. Afterwards, the much easier hike to Spearfish Falls was welcome and the change in scenery made it feel like we were somewhere completely different world even though we'd only driven a few miles in between them.

The hike up!

Luke was first to the top - of course! 

Our usual picnicing spot didn't have any parking spots available, so we found a beautiful place along the road to have our lunch.

Wrapping up October

I know, I know ... we're already a week into November and I am just now posting about October (AND I still have two more September-era posts I am hoping to do!) We had what felt like another very full month. With the weather continuing to cool down, the pressure to be outside doing as much as possible on the nice days is pretty intense and makes me feel a bit frantic sometimes -- as we try to wring the very most out of any warm, beautiful days. In spite of several "snow days" and a below ZERO morning, we did our best to enjoy all the big & little the moments together..

Enjoying the Fall Festival in Box Elder -- the kids each got to pick out a FREE pumpkin!

Driving through the Black Hills, catching the last of the Fall foilage.

A fun day at Sheridan Lake with some homeschool/MOPS friends. 

Family day at Angostura Resovoir -- the BEST beach-like sand in our area! And...it wasn't crowded!

Hiking at one of our favorites, Little Elk Creek -- 

Even better than a beautiful hike? A hike with a swing out over the creek!

An evening playing at Canyon Lake Park here in town. Such a pretty place!

Homeschool fun -- experiments inside and out!

A snowy weekend. My shovel crew deserves hot chocolate AND we found a perfect used set of bunk beds for the kids! Hurray!

Halloween highlights: making cat & jack o'laterns, costume time with friends and family and counting up the candy from the piñata!