It really was cool, but what it also turned out to be was a mile long hike down into the depths of the earth's crust in the pitch-black darkness over very rocky, uneven terrain with five kids who after 15 minutes "just wanted to see the end." Once we did reach the "end" they thought that was pretty fun...
What they didn't realize, was that we had to turn around at make the same trip in reverse just to get out. That half of the hike? Not nearly as much fun... It was cold (down to 50º or less after stepping out of a 100º day), they were hungry and thirsty by this point, and the return trip was a little anti-climatic. Let's just say we all endured more than our fair share of whining...
At least they can all mark Lava River Cave off their bucket lists as another thing we parents "made them" do, all in the name of family vacation fun. :)
