Body shops and caves

 

So I finally got a carwash and took my car in to see if they could buff out the scratches on the right rear side where that lady hit me two weeks ago. The damage was more than I thought it was, however, it is cosmetic. That said, I'm pretty particular about my 10 week old car.

Talk about sticker shock. Think of your modern cars as Lego cars. If a part gets damaged, they have to take the bumper covers off and repaint it. They can't buff those parts out, they are not metal. 

Okay. That was enough bad news for Monday morning. So instead of doing my paperwork, I took a drive while the body shop worked up an estimate.

I ended up at Wildcat Mountain State Park to visit the very large Ice Cave. It is a short walk and is very popular on the winter weekends so I figured Monday was a good day to go.

It was amazing as usual. Below is a tree root that got ripped off one of the rock bluffs with the last big rain and washed into the picnic area. I didn't have anyone to stand in front of it for size.

Evidence of family fun in the picnic area:

The trail was straight forward and very level. I'd say it is only a quarter mile long to the rock shelter, but once there your jaw drops.

The scale doesn't look that imposing. So I set up my bendy tripod and did a selfie. 

I'm still not next to the rock wall which drops about 6 feet down behind me. But I did walk around the ice curtain and take shots. The piles are where the ice melts and drops and then forms again.

Below.
10 years ago with my stepdaughter in blue and grand daughter in the middle. Me in the skunk hat. By March, the ice curtain is massive if there is a good winter of thaw and freeze.

This is why I find winter so amazing and exciting here where I live and why I learned to dress for the weather and enjoy winter hiking more than summer hiking.

The water comes off the rocks and eventually runs along the rock wall and into a small creek which empties into Billings Creek.

The colors were beautiful.

To get around all of the ice, cleats are recommended.

I left there and took another drive to see Warner Creek. I walked around the rock bluffs and explored some of the rock formations that are so unique.

Charlie wasn't really with me, but I had his Mini in my pocket so I could take a shot at the unusual rock structure.

I am never short of amazed at these rocks. The details almost look hand carved and are so tiny that if you don't look close you'd miss it.

When I got home from my drive and exploring, I felt calm and collected. I was able to sort paperwork and text the lady that hit me.

To my utter surprise, when I sent her the estimate she replied that she would contact the body shop and pay for it.

This indeed has been a very auspicious beginning to 2026.

The Ice Cave and Road Trip

There is a little short trail at Wildcat Mountain State Park that takes you to the Ice Cave.

If you take the trail you may be disappointed in the summer as there is no ice in the cave formation.  But there is in the winter and early spring.

The trail isn't difficult and runs alongside Billings Creek.

Ariel and I decided we'd explore the trail and take a peek at the cave formation on Labor Day.
We went when it still looked as though it was going to rain.

The trail is not a difficult one at all.  It winds through a heavy forested area and takes you to a rock formation that in my mind is not truly a cave but is called such in this area.

Alongside the trail if you keep your eyes open you can find little interesting things.  Since we'd had rain almost every day and lots of heat and humidity we were able to find coral fungi

Turkeyfan fungi

...and of course a tiny tree toad hidden in the mossy trunk of a tree right next to the ice cave...

The rock formation is really quite impressive and we spent quite a bit of time exploring the place.

The biggest challenge we had was getting proper photos of the area.  It was so dark, photos were difficult unless you used a tripod.

I did have one and was able to take a shot of us partially in the cave.

On our way back down the trail we took a side trip and discovered an incredible place ... we were able to get into Billings Creek and do a bit of wading.

The beauty of the rocks and the water were just mind blowing.  ...and I live in this area!
How could I have missed this gem all these years?

The water was cool and crisp and very refreshing.  We even saw crayfish!

I even had a grandchild who was fun enough to take a candid shot of the 'grandma Val'.

We left the Ice Cave trail and headed out for a bit of exploring.

We stopped and waded for a bit in the Kickapoo River.

We snacked while sitting in the back of the Subaru.  

I don't recall what Ariel said, but it was funny and she 'shot' me with the Fuji camera.  

We ended up with a bit of a road trip.

But it sure was fun having someone along who was as adventurous as I was.

Sure would be fun to do this again!