REFLECTIONS ON THE TUNNEL EXPEDITION OF 2-3-01

Like the previous adventure, this excursion, for me, was one of primarily photography. Richard and I set out sometime about 4:45 from palmer. The day was colder than the other days, about 28 degrees, only hours before when I saw the temp. in the sign in town. We arrived to find the area with less snow than we had feared. This time we chose bravo to go in. I crawled in pushing my various packs and things ahead of me. Unfortunately I had forgotten my halogen light. Such was my rush to get going after photo class. I began to unpack my gear as Richard entered I decided to try using the flash. It will be interesting to see how they turn out. I took several pictures of spiders , and some of flies. One roll. We weren’t at it long this time.

Just as we were preparing to leave, Richard was down at the end of the tunnel and was hammering, and hit something hollow. We both proceeded to whack at a 2x2 rock which gradually gave way beneath us. Part of the rock is now in the car. Interestingly, in the process of digging out this rock, a piece of ice came loose from beneath it. This ice had the consistency of old snow. Full of air pockets. Underneath the rock were more rocks, still hollow sounding. We will try to dig more the next time. Richard and I tried the metal detector, but to no effect.

This new rock area is a curious development, which makes Bravo have something to match the chamber in alpha . I am more intrigued now, and looking worward to returning and digging there. Next time I will not have the tirpod, and will be more mobile without the camera. Though I will leave it in the car in case something new is discovered in these magical roadside tunnels.