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Last winter Nene, Laura and I had the opportunity to hike the Lake Superior ice out to the Apostle Island Lake Shore sea caves. During a trip to Madeline Island over memorial Weekend, Nene and I were afforded the opportunity to paddle to the sea caves on the south side of the island. We skirted our way through bays filled with icebergs and made our way to do some cave exploring.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2014 - Apostle Island Sea Caves, La Pointe, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Sea Caves, La Pointe, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Sea Caves, La Pointe, WI
2014 - Apostle Island Sea Caves, La Pointe, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Sea Caves, La Pointe, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Sea Caves, La Pointe, WI
2014 - Apostle Island Sea Caves, La Pointe, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Sea Caves, La Pointe, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Sea Caves, La Pointe, WI
2014 - Apostle Island Sea Caves, La Pointe, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Sea Caves, La Pointe, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Sea Caves, La Pointe, WI

It's been in the local news most of this January, the sea caves along the Apostle Island National Lakeshore are accessible by walking on the ice for the first time in five years. Located on the south shore of Lake Superior near Cornucopia, WI, the lake surface near the sea caves rarely freezes over because of wind and water currents. With the colder than normal temperatures this winter season, the ice is solid, the caves are accessible, and people are coming out in droves to explore and photograph them.

The original forecast for today was 20 degrees and sunny so plans were made to road cruise 200 miles north and hike to the sea caves. When Nene, Laura and I arrived at the lake shore parking lot, it was 3 degrees F below zero, the winds were gusting off the lake to 10-25mph, it was cold.

According to my GPS, the distance hiked from parking to the largest sea cave was 1.6 miles. My GPS took 239 samples during the hike which lasted 35 minutes 58 seconds. Our average hiking speed was 2.7mph. Unfortunately, I could not calculate the hike back as the batteries in the GPS died and I did not notice until our adventure was complete. All photographs taken with a Canon G6.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI
2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI
2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI
2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI
2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI
2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI
2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI
2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI
2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI
2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI
2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI
2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI
2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI
2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI	2014 - Apostle Island Lake Shore Sea Caves, Cornucopia, WI

A few years back I was perusing the Wisconsin Geocaching Association forums and read a discussion about favorite geocaches in the state. The one that stood out the most to me was Twin Bluffs Cave (GCXWPM) by Shrek and Fiona. I knew at that moment that the geocache would have to go on my short list of caches to complete. Unfortunately, being on the short list does not equate to pursuing the cache in a timely manner.. the cache remained unfound.

I had been planning for quite some time to find a special geocache for the milestone of my 8000th find, which I estimated to happen late December. With Twin Bluffs Cave still in the back of my mind, I knew this had to be the one. It was now or never. After some logistical planning, a three hour drive to Lyndon Station, WI, I finally made the find along with daughter Laura, Doublemoose, and his daughter Geohockey,

The most impressive thing about this adventure was not the geocache, but the impressive nature of the geological feature hiding here up in the bluffs. As you approach the cave entrance, it looks like nothing more than a narrow fissure in the side of the cliff face. But as you explore more, you soon discover that this is the entrance to a fairly expansive system of caves. At the inner room of the cave, I would estimate the ceiling to be nearly 30' high, expansive enough to hold a small disco party. The primary cave easily goes back 80 to 100 feet or more. Off the inner room of the cave, there are two caves headed in each direction normal (perpendicular) to the primary cave.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache	2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache	2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache
2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache	2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache	2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache
2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache	2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache	2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache
2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache	2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache	2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache
2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache	2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache	2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache
2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache	2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache	2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache
2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache	2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache	2013 - Bart Finds 8000th Geocache

Lateral Potholes (GC272EE) by bflentje

There seems to be some difficulty in finding this geocache. Here are spoilers to aid in scoring the find. But please keep in mind, using spoilers for a 3/5 rated geocache could be embarrassing if your friends find out. So use this with discretion. It should be noted that the reservoir has been drained down for the winter. The normal waterline is three feet higher than shown.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE)	2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE)	2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE)
2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE)	2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE)	2013 - Lateral Potholes (GC272EE)

Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5) by bflentje

There seems to be some difficulty in finding this geocache. Here are spoilers to aid in scoring the find. But please keep in mind, using spoilers for a 4/5 rated geocache could be embarrassing if your friends find out. So use this with discretion. It should be noted that the reservoir has been drained down for the winter. The normal waterline is three feet higher than shown.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5)	2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5)	2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5)
2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5)	2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5)	2013 - Exploring Lake Byllesby Sea Caves (GC272D5)

Located under a mountain within the Snoqualmie Pass, the Snoqualmie Tunnel is a 2.3 mile long tunnel along the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. I discovered this gem while perusing maps a few years back and just knew that this had to be a stop on our way out west.

Exploring the abandoned railroad tunnel was quite an adventure that we all thoroughly enjoyed.  At the midpoint within the tunnel, the light at each end is nearly imperceptable to non-existent.  The eary feeling of hearing other pedestrians and bikers make their way through the tunnel brought on chatter about horror movies and other bone chilling thoughts.  We also scored the geocache that is hidden within the tunnel called Bloody Fingers, Dirty Diapers... (GCJMDK).  Finding this geocache will be something most of us will never forget.  Right mom?

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - Snoqualmie Tunnel, Snoqualmie, WA	2012 - Snoqualmie Tunnel, Snoqualmie, WA	2012 - Snoqualmie Tunnel, Snoqualmie, WA
2012 - Snoqualmie Tunnel, Snoqualmie, WA	2012 - Snoqualmie Tunnel, Snoqualmie, WA	2012 - Snoqualmie Tunnel, Snoqualmie, WA
2012 - Snoqualmie Tunnel, Snoqualmie, WA	2012 - Snoqualmie Tunnel, Snoqualmie, WA	2012 - Snoqualmie Tunnel, Snoqualmie, WA
2012 - Snoqualmie Tunnel, Snoqualmie, WA	2012 - Snoqualmie Tunnel, Snoqualmie, WA	2012 - Snoqualmie Tunnel, Snoqualmie, WA
2012 - Snoqualmie Tunnel, Snoqualmie, WA	2012 - Snoqualmie Tunnel, Snoqualmie, WA	2012 - Snoqualmie Tunnel, Snoqualmie, WA

Enter If You Dare (GC26MDE) by bflentje

Anyone who knows me understands that you just can't pass up hiding a geocache in, on, or near, the coolest of geological features.  The cave located along the Cannon Valley Trail is no exception.  Nearly 4 miles east of Cannon Falls, MN on the bike trail, this cave was not created in the traditional way that most caves are.  The cave was the result of erosion of underlying layers whereby a large slab of limestone "broke free". The downhill end of the slab collapsing, the uphill end of the slab still under support, effective creating a cave that resembles a lean-to.  Regardless of how the cave was created, it has many of the attributes you'd expect in a cave.  For example, local wildlife such as bats, raccoons, and bobcats use it for shelter.  And the atmosphere inside the 30 to 40 foot deep cave is cool and damp.

Geocache Enter If You Dare (GC26MDE) is hidden within this cave.  In order to find the .30 caliber sized ammocan, you have to go to the deepest, darkest, end of the cave using your flashlight.  The cache is hidden within a perfectly sized hole covered with a few boulders.  Even as someone that enjoys a good cave, I am always just a little leary of entering as you never know what critter might be inside to welcome you.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - Enter If You Dare (GC26MDE)	2012 - Enter If You Dare (GC26MDE)	2012 - Enter If You Dare (GC26MDE)
2012 - Enter If You Dare (GC26MDE)	2012 - Enter If You Dare (GC26MDE)	2012 - Enter If You Dare (GC26MDE)

Down Under (GC27AJJ) by bflentje

Geocaching power trails are popping up all over the countryside.  The Cannon Valley Trail, which winds from Cannon Falls, MN to Red Wing, MN, is no exception.  In fact, some of the finer hides in the area are along this stretch of the Cannon River, both in the water and on the bike trail.

Geocache Down Under (GC27AJJ) is located in this area and seems to be quite popular with those that can find it. The placement and execution of this cache is what makes it a fun cache to find. Most cachers approach ground zero on the bike trail and wander around in circles flumoxed as to why they're struggling to locate a .50 caliber ammocan.  It is only those intuitive cachers that realize that they're standing above the cache container, a whopping 75 to 100 feet above it.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ)	2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ)	2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ)
2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ)	2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ)	2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ)
2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ)	2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ)	2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ)
2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ)	2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ)	2012 - Down Under (GC27AJJ)

While camping the weekend at nearby McCarthy Beach State Park, we'd heard that the mine at Soudan Underground Mine State Park had finally finished the repairs from the 2011 fire.  Located in Soudan, MN, this weekend was essentially the grand reopening for tours.  Since the weather wasn't cooperating, we decided to make a day out of spending our time underground.

The nearly half mile ride down into the mine was three minutes of dark, loud and claustrophobic conditions which caused even stable minded folk to hunker down into a near panic. Bottoming out at 27th level, some 2341 feet below the surface, the depths of the mine were cool and breezy.  We boarded an ore train and took a 5 minute ride deep into the mine where we were given an hour long tour.

If you get the chance to visit the iron range, the tour at Soudan Underground Mine is worth every penny.  Do not drive by without stopping.  But watch out for bats.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - Soudan Underground Mine Tour, Soudan, MN	2012 - Soudan Underground Mine Tour, Soudan, MN	2012 - Soudan Underground Mine Tour, Soudan, MN
2012 - Soudan Underground Mine Tour, Soudan, MN	2012 - Soudan Underground Mine Tour, Soudan, MN	2012 - Soudan Underground Mine Tour, Soudan, MN
2012 - Soudan Underground Mine Tour, Soudan, MN	2012 - Soudan Underground Mine Tour, Soudan, MN	2012 - Soudan Underground Mine Tour, Soudan, MN
2012 - Soudan Underground Mine Tour, Soudan, MN	2012 - Soudan Underground Mine Tour, Soudan, MN	2012 - Soudan Underground Mine Tour, Soudan, MN
2012 - Soudan Underground Mine Tour, Soudan, MN	2012 - Soudan Underground Mine Tour, Soudan, MN	2012 - Soudan Underground Mine Tour, Soudan, MN

In an attempt to score the geocache Happy New Year, guardrail10 (GC38K4R) by Bobcam, an accumulation of two hours worth of conventional searching proved fruitless.  During the search for the cache, I discovered a few things in the area that were possibilities.  Perhaps the theory I was developing was a stretch but it seemed like it had potential.

The theory is that the geocache was hidden within the storm drain that is buried just a few feet from the listed coordinates.  The signs of the drain are subtle but they are there.  We made our way down to the river bank and scouted for the opening.  We waffled a bit but then our team decided to go for it.  We explored our way the entire half mile to what we believed to be GZ.  We were able to find our way by known landmarks (manholes and storm grates).  We searched a bit and came up empty.  I was SURE the cache would be located here but no Happy Dance for us today.  While I doubt I'll make it back into the drain, I am still convinced that my theory is plausible and that we just missed the hide.

WARNING  I am not sure of the legalities of entering storm drains.  Regardless, I do not recommend going into drains and you enter them at your own risk, especially when precipitation is imminent.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration
2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration
2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration	2012 - Extreme Geocaching or Urban Exploration