53rd Annual Cave Capers

[cavemike]

June 23-25, 2006 – The 53rd Annual Cave Capers will be held at Camp Rivervale in Mitchell, Indiana. In addition to some of the finest caving in Indiana we will have a stellar lineup of events for your enjoyment. Friday we will have a few cave trips and live music. Saturday after caving you can enjoy the Rivervale catered cookout, followed by our keynote speaker. After our speaker the door prizes will be awarded. Then more music for your pleasure. For more information see our website, www.cavecapers.com or contact Soozie Strickland at [e-mail] or Cindy Horn at [phone].

[Sharon Faulkner]

Just a reminder that Cave Capers is being held this weekend.

[cavemike]

Thanks for putting up the reminder Sharon.

I don't know if anyone here attended Capers this year, but I think we put on a pretty good show.

My hat goes off to our chairman, Eric Higbee, who despite serious personal difficulties, did a tremendous job running herd on all things involving Capers.

I would also like to thank Ron Adams for a great set of speakers both Friday and Saturday night.

Mark Minton and Yvonne Droms gave a wonderful slide show Friday evening on Mexico.
Mike and Andrea Futtrel (I most likely spelled that wrong) gave an excellent presentation on the last few years of caving in China.

I just wish that Jeff and Nena would have brought my drum of carbide.

We had over 280 cavers show up for a really good party.

Thanks to everyone

Mike

[Sharon Faulkner]

Hey Mike...sounds like a great time was had by all! Post some pics if you have them, or anyone else for that matter.


I am looking forward to being in Indiana at next year's Convention, so keep us updated as plans for that progress during the coming months.

[cavemike]

No pictures yet, but here is a "trip report" from Mudpuppy for your perusal


This year's 53rd annual Cave Capers hosted by CIG was an event that
doesn't have many peers in the cave event category. It was first
class, from the welcome at registration, to the cave trips, banquet,
etc, etc, etc. John, Bonnie and I drove to Nashville to pickup
Ovilla flying in from Florida. Bonnie and I got to enjoy a fun
airport (even funnier massage seats) while John guarded our gear. It
wasn't a long drive but some nasty weather en route made for some
interesting moments. (Like when I was literally blown thru the doors
of a quick stop gas station) We arrived at Spring Mill State Park to
find Paul Lundberg from Indy waiting on us with room keys in hand.
This is an awesome place to sleep (it was built in the late 20s,
early 30s) and the food was great, BUFFET! After dinner Paul and I
hiked about 2 1/2 miles around the park and toured one cave on "one"
light, oh the horror.

The next day, while Paul went to setup registration, the rest of us
toured the Pioneer Village, the huge waterwheel at the grist mill and
had a great time watching the blacksmith ply his trade. Arriving at
Capers, we quickly found the sweet spot, a huge pavilion to call our
own. Needless to say, it was "THE" late night party spot. Cave
Capers/18 dollars, a Huggie for your favorite brew/1 dollar, getting
setup before the Biblical deluge/priceless! The rain ruined one of my
planned trips but I used the time to chat with loads of folks that
don't make it down south that often.

The next day, after sleeping a "tad" late, Daisy, Chickenhawk and I
went to Budda Cave. This was one sweet cave, with plenty of formations
in the lower stream passage. And it was only about a 10 minute drive
away. (Lots of good caves were a short drive away) After an
interesting climbup, you go about 500 feet to rappel down to the
stream passage and lots of totems and columns. It only took 3 hours
round trip so I had time to go to vendors and get a new Swaygo pack
from Jeff and Nina at IMO. Been waiting to buy one of these for a long
time. That night the banquet was the best food I have EVER had at a
cave event. Some door prizes where followed by a great presentation by
Mike and Andrea Futrell on several expeditions to China. It was very
entertaining! After that, a few more prizes, a raffle for a Sten Light
(keep it holy) and then a cool band. What more could you ask for?
Well, an adult swim in the pool at midnight and something I will
always remember (well, one thing anyway). My friend Doug from Indy won
the Sten Light, it came with an old carbide cap lamp/cap. I told him
how much I thought of it, he took a pic of it on my head and said,
"How do you like your new light?" He gave it to me, I was blown away.

The next morning after sleeping VERY fast (one hour I think), we
packed camp and waved bye (hugged if we got the chance) to many
friends from Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. On the way home we stopped at
Horse Cave and were given Royal treatment by David Foster. Needless to
say, the bruise on my arm is still there from hanging on the rafters.
Just toooooooo many folks to say thank you to, so I will just say,
THANK YOU CIG!!!!!!!!!

Respectfully submitted,

Mudpuppy


When pictures become available I'll post them here.

Mike

[madratdan]

Thanks for sharing Mudpuppys story with us, Mike.