Our adventure culminated with "Cave Camp!" We ventured to Lake Shasta in Northern California to camp, hike and explore two caves. First, we trained for caving at the museum's California Underground exhibit, learning how to crawl carefully, squeeze through tight spaces and feel our way in the dark. Here we are at the entrance to Samwel Cave, which is hidden on a remote, steep hillside above Lake Shasta, ready for the adventure of crawling, climbing, squeezing and exploring a real wild cave.

Little did we know before entering the cave, that we would see all sorts of new things; different kinds of cave formations like the long, thick drapery, flowstones, stalactites, stalagmites, popcorn, and columns, and even animals like salamanders and millipedes.

Dorris, Thien, and Cristina strap up before entering the dark cave. We have on helmets to protect our heads while in the cave so that we don't get a "cave kiss", which is caver lingo for hitting your head. We need lights to see because it is pitch dark in the cave and kneepads to protect our knees while we crawl around.

These drapes are formed by water running down the walls of the cave and depositing calcite. The mineral composition causes different coloration. Bacon is a special type of drape that is striped.

Chaz relaxes back at camp after a successful exploration of Shasta Caverns.