While on my way to Idaho last month for a river rafting trip I had a chance to stop at Lava Beds National Monument. The NPS.gov site describes it best:
Lava Beds National Monument is a land of turmoil, both geological and historical. Over the last half-million years, volcanic eruptions on the Medicine Lake shield volcano have created a rugged landscape dotted with diverse volcanic features. More than 700 caves, Native American rock art sites, historic battlefields and campsites, and a high desert wilderness experience await you!
![visitor emerges from Skull cave at Lava Beds National Monument visitor emerges from cave at Lava Beds National Monument](http://turnerforte.com/BlogImages/Lavabeds/090803_JF_LBCA_0016.jpg)
visitor emerges from Skull cave at Lava Beds National Monument
![head lamps and flashlights are used to illuminate your path and the caves. Skull Cave head lamps and flashlights are used to illuminate your path and the caves.](http://turnerforte.com/BlogImages/Lavabeds/090803_JF_LBCA_0025hdr.jpg)
head lamps and flashlights are used to illuminate your path and the caves. Skull Cave
![stairways have been put in place in some caves to ease your entry, Skull cave. stairways have been put in place in some caves to ease your entry.](http://turnerforte.com/BlogImages/Lavabeds/090803_JF_LBCA_0029hdr.jpg)
stairways have been put in place in some caves to ease your entry, Skull cave.
![a family looking around in the bottom Skull Cave. a family looking around in the bottom of one of the caves.](http://turnerforte.com/BlogImages/Lavabeds/090803_JF_LBCA_0036.jpg)
a family looking around in the bottom Skull Cave.
![ice forms in the back of some caves where water is. ice forms in the back of some caves where water is.](http://turnerforte.com/BlogImages/Lavabeds/090803_JF_LBCA_0071.jpg)
ice forms in the back of some caves where water is.
![Sam expores the inside of Valentine cave which had these cool formations in the ceiling Sam expores the inside of this cave which had these cool formations in the ceiling](http://turnerforte.com/BlogImages/Lavabeds/090803_JF_LBCA_0117.jpg)
Sam expores the inside of Valentine cave which had these cool formations in the ceiling
![painting with light in the cave became a routine, Valentine cave painting with light in the cave became a routine](http://turnerforte.com/BlogImages/Lavabeds/090803_JF_LBCA_0145.jpg)
painting with light in the cave became a routine, Valentine cave
![this lava tube Valentine cave is completed illuminated by my lantern with a little help this lava tube is completed illuminated by my lantern with a little help](http://turnerforte.com/BlogImages/Lavabeds/090803_JF_LBCA_0165.jpg)
this lava tube Valentine cave is completed illuminated by my lantern with a little help
![back in Valentine cave lava tube illuminated by lantern another lava tube illuminated by lantern](http://turnerforte.com/BlogImages/Lavabeds/090803_JF_LBCA_0169.jpg)
another lava tube illuminated by lantern, Valentine cave