Today started with the usual breakfast at the hotel and we then left to head out to the famous Colossal Cave. We had a hilarious tour guide who led us into the depths of the cave (around 6 stories deep). The cave has been used for many different things such as grain storage/shelter for Native Americans. The cave was also featured in 20+ films including Sesame Street and journey to the Center of the Earth. Come to think of it, Colossal Cave is somewhat of a misnomer as it is not really that colossal (at least the part that we toured). We were told not to touch the walls of the cave because the oils from our hands damage the sustainability of the cave, and also because many of the walls were covered in bat poop! Our tour guide mentioned that the first tours of Colossal Cave involved more "spelunking" because people traversed the cave by rappelling off the walls with rope and a candle. The first tour guide Frank actually lived part-time in a section known as "Frank's living room" during the hot summer months, hauling couches and furniture into the cave. We finished our tour and some of us went on a nature walk while others relaxed and drank prickly pear slushies. We then had lunch at a local breakfast chain known as "Jerry Bobs". The food included burgers, eggs, pancakes, and even a Sonoran hot dog. This place was so popular that we had to wait around 30 minutes to get seated but it was totally worth the wait. We then traveled to Pima Air and Space at around 1:30. This one-of-a-kind museum is the third largest aeronautic museum in the world and features many rare and obscure planes from airliners to fighter jets! Personally, I am very interested in planes and it was already on my bucket list before going on the trip. My favorite plane that they had was the B-36 Peacemaker. The B-36 is so big that it requires 6 propeller engines and 4 jet engines to fly! Another very cool plane that they had was a militarized version of the Douglas DC-6. This plane actually served as the Air Force One for Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Sadly, we had more plans that needed fulfilling, and we left Pima Air and Space at around 4:30. We then went to Saguaro National Park and drove to Javelina Rock to watch the beautiful Arizona sunset. After, we tried to go to a nearby restaurant, however, it was filled to the brim and we weren't able to eat there. Mrs. Eckert then suggested a fifties-style diner called "Little Anthony's". As soon as we sat down, someone in my group (cough cough Charlie cough cough), told the waitress that it was Caroline's Birthday. It wasn't. So after a wonderful meal, a familiar name came over the intercom and staff began to gather around our table. So after announcing to the whole restaurant that it was Caroline's Birthday, the staff sang a long and embarrassing (and frankly hilarious) song and presented her with a massive ice-cream sundae. We then drove up into the Catalina foothills and did some impromptu stargazing. Ellie proceeded to point out all of the cool constellations for us (even in the car ride back to the hotel) and we then called it a day. Overall it was a wonderful day and I know I had a blast!
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