Reprinted from the April 1997 Old Kia Kima Newsletter, Volume 3, Issue 1
I feel confident that each one of us have moments in which we reflect back on experiences and wonder how we ever "pulled it off". One such experience happened in 1948 when Buddy Irwin brought "Ole 97" to Kia Kima and took them to Calico Rock Cave for the first time. I'm not certain on all the details but maybe Louis Pritchett, Jimmy Boggs, Charles Dollar and several others on the same adventure can add to its validity. None of us had ever undertaken a spelunking adventure such as this and the only thing we had was guts.
We had obtained the bare essentials (flashlights) and upon arriving in the area (a farmer's ranch) we began looking for the entrance. As I recall we had all of Troop 97, including "Umpy" Osborne. Some were barely "Tender Feet". The cave entrance seemed to be quite large and did have a trickle of water on the floor but nothing to be concerned with. We all entered and continued back through several large rooms and some narrow passageways. Still nothing to be concerned with. It was exciting! You could feel the adrenalin flowing.
The farther we went the more exciting it became. Our cave began to get smaller but we continued to move forward. It finally ended in a pool of crystal clear water, marred only by the bones of some long lost soul or animal, which, on being disturbed by us, disintegrated before our eyes. This should have been the end of our cave adventure but, oh no!
I'm not certan how the next few events occurred but suddenly I was in the water walking with just minimal breathing space over my head. It seemed like an eternity, however, it was probably only a few feet. Suddenly, I came out in another large room, larger than any we had been in previously. We were able to bring all the troop through the water and into the new part of the cave. We continued on, not knowing where we were or how to get back. I don't recall fear being one of the emotions but looking back 40 plus years, it should have been.
We continued on from one room into another, the cave began to get smaller until it was only about 10 of 15 feet wide. We continued on. Suddenly there in front of us was the most beautiful sight I think I have ever seen. The "Garden of Eden" appeared before my eyes. The sun shining brightly and a new adventure completed.
Although I have never been back to Calico Rock Cave, that one adventure has been with me many times in my life. When uncertainty is facing you, sometimes the best thing to do is to keep on going forward and maybe the light will appear at the end of the tunnel. I understand that although many Scouts have been through Calico Rock Cave, none has or will ever have the feeling I had on that day many years ago. I thank Buddy Irwin, the Boy Scout Program, Kia Kima and the many friends I have made in Scouting through the years for many happy and memorable times.