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| Hyena? |
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| Cat? |
November 30, 2015
November 29, 2015
Green Minoru Jacket Day 6: Cuffs
ミノルジャケット制作6日目。残りの材料が届くまでほかに縫えるところがないので、袖口の始末だけ。
袖口にはゴムが入っています。
袖を縫った後で袖がきつめなのに気づいて縫い代を出したんだけど、一度縫った跡が微妙に見えてしまうんだな。
My Minoru Jacket project day 6 was cuffs. That's the only place left for me to sew until I get the lining.
The cuffs have 2" elastic in it and gathers. I topstitched it though the instruction did not call for it.
The issue here is... I sewed the sleeves and realized that the sleeves were rather tight. I let out the seam allowance and it shows on the fabric. Oh well. It's tolerable.
袖口にはゴムが入っています。
袖を縫った後で袖がきつめなのに気づいて縫い代を出したんだけど、一度縫った跡が微妙に見えてしまうんだな。
The cuffs have 2" elastic in it and gathers. I topstitched it though the instruction did not call for it.
The issue here is... I sewed the sleeves and realized that the sleeves were rather tight. I let out the seam allowance and it shows on the fabric. Oh well. It's tolerable.
November 28, 2015
Green Minoru Jacket Day 5: Finally Sewing
ミノルジャケット制作5日目。やっと縫製作業にたどり着きました。
でもまだ材料が全部届いていないので縫えるところが少なくて残念。
ちなみにこんなジャケットを作っています。左側の帽子つきバージョンを作っています。
My Minoru Jacket day 5. Finally sewing has started.
I am using a contrasting orange thread on a green fabric for topstitching. Call me a challenger.
With my fancy sewing machine's blind hem foot and the changeable needle position, edgestitching was very easy and fast. I am admiring my own work.
The pattern called for topstitching the side seam from hem to underarm but I did it all the way to the sleeves. It was tight in the sleeve, but the blind hem foot that has a ledge in the middle (thus works as a stitch in a ditch foot) really helped me.
Now I will have to wait for my lining to be delivered.
でもまだ材料が全部届いていないので縫えるところが少なくて残念。
ちなみにこんなジャケットを作っています。左側の帽子つきバージョンを作っています。
I am using a contrasting orange thread on a green fabric for topstitching. Call me a challenger.
With my fancy sewing machine's blind hem foot and the changeable needle position, edgestitching was very easy and fast. I am admiring my own work.
November 27, 2015
Green Minoru Jacket Day 3 & 4: Cutting Patterns
ミノルジャケット制作3日目、4日目は二日がかりで型紙切り。
ここでジャケットについてくる帽子の型紙をちょっと変えて、赤ずきんちゃんな2枚はぎの帽子を中心部がフラットな3枚はぎの帽子に変更。
外側のラインが元の型紙のラインで、一回り小さいのが変更後の線。
このジャケットにはポケットがついていないので、ファスナーつきのポケットをつけることにしました。
ファスナーつきのポケットなんて作ったことも無いのに、大丈夫かな、あたし。
I spent 2 days cutting the patterns for my Minoru jacket.
I decided to change the hood pattern after reading other people's reviews. Instead of a two-piece hood, I am going to add a 4 inch strip of long piece in between the hood patterns (that is cut 2 inches smaller) and will make a 3-piece hood.
I have never sewn a hood before, but I don't think this type of change will be a big deal to sew, hopefully.
Also, I decided to add zippered pockets to the exterior of the jacket, since the pattern does not come with exterior pockets.
I am just eye-balling the placement and size of the pocket. I wanted to make a pocket big enough to fit my phone (which is almost the size of a small Kindle with bulky Otterbox Defender).
Again, I have never sewn a zippered pockets before, but I have seen Janet Pray do it in her Craftsy course, so I can watch that again.
ここでジャケットについてくる帽子の型紙をちょっと変えて、赤ずきんちゃんな2枚はぎの帽子を中心部がフラットな3枚はぎの帽子に変更。
外側のラインが元の型紙のラインで、一回り小さいのが変更後の線。
ファスナーつきのポケットなんて作ったことも無いのに、大丈夫かな、あたし。
I decided to change the hood pattern after reading other people's reviews. Instead of a two-piece hood, I am going to add a 4 inch strip of long piece in between the hood patterns (that is cut 2 inches smaller) and will make a 3-piece hood.
I have never sewn a hood before, but I don't think this type of change will be a big deal to sew, hopefully.
Also, I decided to add zippered pockets to the exterior of the jacket, since the pattern does not come with exterior pockets.
I am just eye-balling the placement and size of the pocket. I wanted to make a pocket big enough to fit my phone (which is almost the size of a small Kindle with bulky Otterbox Defender).
Again, I have never sewn a zippered pockets before, but I have seen Janet Pray do it in her Craftsy course, so I can watch that again.
November 26, 2015
4-Day Weekend
木曜が感謝祭の祝日で、金曜も有給を取ったので4連休です。イェイ。
ちなみにオットは年末の有給消化運動中で10連休です。結局家で仕事してるってぶつぶつ言ってるけど、10連休には変わりなし。いいなぁ。
朝みっちり1時間犬の散歩をしたのであとは一日ぐうたら三昧。
スーパーに買い物に行ったら、クマ君が血圧計ってました。私も時々この血圧計測機活用してます。
Happy Thanksgiving. I have taken a day off on Friday so it is a 4-day weekend. Yippee.
The Man of the House is in a 10-day weekend, trying to use up his PTOs before the end of the year. Must be nice.
I already walked the dogs in the morning for a solid hour so I can have a guilt-free lazy day off. Thanksgiving dinner? We bought a Papa Murphy's pizza yesterday so I am covered.
ちなみにオットは年末の有給消化運動中で10連休です。結局家で仕事してるってぶつぶつ言ってるけど、10連休には変わりなし。いいなぁ。
朝みっちり1時間犬の散歩をしたのであとは一日ぐうたら三昧。
スーパーに買い物に行ったら、クマ君が血圧計ってました。私も時々この血圧計測機活用してます。
The Man of the House is in a 10-day weekend, trying to use up his PTOs before the end of the year. Must be nice.
I already walked the dogs in the morning for a solid hour so I can have a guilt-free lazy day off. Thanksgiving dinner? We bought a Papa Murphy's pizza yesterday so I am covered.
November 24, 2015
Green Minoru Jacket Day 2: Tracing the Patterns
ミノルジャケット作成2日目。
アイロンをかけた型紙を写す作業です。わざわざ写さなくても、買った型紙を切ってしまえばこの工程は省けるんだけど、型紙を保存するためにちょっと面倒でも写します。
My Minoru Jacket day 2 is all about tracing the patterns.
Yup, that's how slow I am.
アイロンをかけた型紙を写す作業です。わざわざ写さなくても、買った型紙を切ってしまえばこの工程は省けるんだけど、型紙を保存するためにちょっと面倒でも写します。
Yup, that's how slow I am.
November 23, 2015
How to Add a Zipper to Your Pant Leg
ファスナーを取り付けたズボンをいたく気に入られて、もう2本頼まれました。
ギプスした足、ちゃんとズボンに入ったようだ。
さすがに2度目は要領もわかってポッドキャストを聞きながら作業する余裕もあり。
作り方：
１．ズボンのひざあたりにしるしをつける。（黄色い仕付け糸）
２．裾からひざのしるしまで縫い代に両面テープをつける。（ちなみに裁縫用の水に流れるりゃんめんテープです。）
３．両面テープを利用してファスナーを縫い代に貼り付ける。（待ち針を使うのが面倒くさいだけ）
４．縫い目をひざのしるしまでほどく。
５．ファスナーを縫い付ける。
６．手縫いでほぐしたぶんの裾をあげなおす。
７．完成。
もう1本も同じ要領で。
My "client" approved the zippered pant leg I did for his pants so I got 2 more pairs.
The first time, I opened the seam then basted it back shut. This time, I eliminated the basting process and started from the sewed seam. Yup, much easier. I was even able to work on it while listening to podcasts.
It feels good to be able to use my meager skill for someone in need.
Now I have to go back to my own Minoru project.
ギプスした足、ちゃんとズボンに入ったようだ。
さすがに2度目は要領もわかってポッドキャストを聞きながら作業する余裕もあり。
作り方：
１．ズボンのひざあたりにしるしをつける。（黄色い仕付け糸）
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| Mark the knee (the yellow thread) and sew the seam 1" above it to reinforce. |
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| Add washable double sided tape on the seam allowance. |
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| Paste the zipper onto the seam allowance. |
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| Rip the seam open until the knee mark. |
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| Sew the invisible zipper on the seam allowance. |
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| Handstitch the hem. |
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| Done. |
The first time, I opened the seam then basted it back shut. This time, I eliminated the basting process and started from the sewed seam. Yup, much easier. I was even able to work on it while listening to podcasts.
It feels good to be able to use my meager skill for someone in need.
Now I have to go back to my own Minoru project.
November 22, 2015
Still Going
もう終了かと思っていた花壇畑、まだ結構育ってた。
しし唐、プチトマト、唐辛子。
Shishito peppers, cayenne peppers, and wild cherry tomatoes.
しし唐、プチトマト、唐辛子。
November 21, 2015
Zippered Pant Leg
足の怪我をしてギプス姿になった人に頼まれて、ズボンの裾にファスナーを取り付けました。
足の内側の縫い目をひざまでほどいて、コンシールファスナーを縫いつけ、裾を上げなおして終了。
ファスナーを開けるとこんなかんじ。
急ぎ仕事だったので、家にあったファスナーを使ったので黒パンツに紺のファスナーだけど、コンシールファスナーだからファスナー締めたら見えないので気にしない。
プルタブが青いけど、その辺は見逃してもらおう。
I was asked to put a zipper in a pant leg by the Man of the House's co-worker. He injured his leg and his left leg is now in a cast. This is the same person who asked me to combine a red and blue T-shirts into one.
I ripped the inseam open to the knee, and sewed an invisible zipper in.
I did it in a hurry so I just used a navy blue zipper that I had at the house for black pants. Since it's an invisible zipper, the zipper won't show anyway other than the pull tab, so that's OK for my standard. My "client" wouldn't even care.
(But I seriously did consider painting the tab with black Sharpie...)
Hindsight, I probably should have added a strip of interfacing at the zipper opening for this rayon/poly fabric. My seam got a bit wavy.
This was the first time using the zipper foot that came with my fancy sewing machine, and I have to tell you, I do not like this zipper foot. It is just too wide!
I prefer the zipper foot for my Kenmore, the one that looks like a ski. Janet Pray also says that's the better type of zipper foot in her Craftsy course by the way.
My dislike of this zipper foot is not because I'm not using a designated invisible zipper foot. I had an invisible zipper foot for my Kenmore and I preferred my ski-like zipper foot for sewing an invisible zipper or any zipper for that matter. (I don't think invisible zipper foot is any better than regular zipper foot.)
We shall see if my "client" will approve the result. My concern is that his casted leg may not simply fit in the pant leg... Well, if it doesn't, I can still rip off the zipper and sew the pant leg back together and reclaim my invisible zipper (that I bought for a dress I was going to make).
足の内側の縫い目をひざまでほどいて、コンシールファスナーを縫いつけ、裾を上げなおして終了。
ファスナーを開けるとこんなかんじ。
プルタブが青いけど、その辺は見逃してもらおう。
I ripped the inseam open to the knee, and sewed an invisible zipper in.
I did it in a hurry so I just used a navy blue zipper that I had at the house for black pants. Since it's an invisible zipper, the zipper won't show anyway other than the pull tab, so that's OK for my standard. My "client" wouldn't even care.
(But I seriously did consider painting the tab with black Sharpie...)
Hindsight, I probably should have added a strip of interfacing at the zipper opening for this rayon/poly fabric. My seam got a bit wavy.
I prefer the zipper foot for my Kenmore, the one that looks like a ski. Janet Pray also says that's the better type of zipper foot in her Craftsy course by the way.
My dislike of this zipper foot is not because I'm not using a designated invisible zipper foot. I had an invisible zipper foot for my Kenmore and I preferred my ski-like zipper foot for sewing an invisible zipper or any zipper for that matter. (I don't think invisible zipper foot is any better than regular zipper foot.)
We shall see if my "client" will approve the result. My concern is that his casted leg may not simply fit in the pant leg... Well, if it doesn't, I can still rip off the zipper and sew the pant leg back together and reclaim my invisible zipper (that I bought for a dress I was going to make).
November 20, 2015
More Lemons
またレモン収穫。片付いていない台所で失礼。
採れたレモンでレモンケーキ作った。
切ってラップにくるんで冷凍しておけばいつでもおやつにレモンケーキ。
Got more lemons from our former lime tree and made a lemon cake. (Well, 2 loaves, actually)
The Man of the House took some to work to give away and someone tried to eat it thinking it was an orange. They don't look like lemon but they are definitely lemon.
切ってラップにくるんで冷凍しておけばいつでもおやつにレモンケーキ。
The Man of the House took some to work to give away and someone tried to eat it thinking it was an orange. They don't look like lemon but they are definitely lemon.
November 18, 2015
Green Minoru Jacket: Day 1
着るのが楽なニット素材の服ばかり作っているので、重い腰をあげてワンランク上の縫製技術を目指してジャケットを作ることにしました。
型紙の名前が「ミノル」っていうんだわ。
とりあえず初日は型紙のアイロンがけから始めます。
おはな紙みたいに超薄い紙に印刷されている型紙は、折りたたまれて封筒に入っているのでアイロンがけは結構重要なのです。
With my serger and coverstitch machine, it has been so fun making knit clothes. But I have been in my comfort zone too long, so I am going to raise the bar.
Yes, woven.
My next project is Sewaholic Pattern's Minoru Jacket.
Day 1 of Minoru starts with ironing the tissue patterns. I'm surprised there are only 2 sheets of tissue papers.
型紙の名前が「ミノル」っていうんだわ。
とりあえず初日は型紙のアイロンがけから始めます。
おはな紙みたいに超薄い紙に印刷されている型紙は、折りたたまれて封筒に入っているのでアイロンがけは結構重要なのです。
Yes, woven.
My next project is Sewaholic Pattern's Minoru Jacket.
Day 1 of Minoru starts with ironing the tissue patterns. I'm surprised there are only 2 sheets of tissue papers.
November 16, 2015
Gertie's Knit Skirts
先日買った本の型紙を使って、ニットのタイとスカートを作りました。
なんと型紙たったの1枚。前身ごろも後ろ身ごろも同じ型紙使用。
その上なんとウエストはゴムっ。
ニット生地はヨガパンツに使ったあまり布でとてもよく伸び縮みするので車の乗り降りなんかも楽チンです。
多分小学生が家庭科で巾着袋作るぐらいのレベルの簡単さでした。
その上、この本には型紙を改造する方法も載っていて、このタイとスカートの型紙をベースにして、6枚はぎのすそひろがりスカートに改造してみたりしました。
この布はやっぱりヨガパンツに使ったあまり布。ニット服は使う量が少なくていい。
パー子さん並に全身ピンクなアラフォーです。イェイ。
I made knit skirts from Gertie's book that I purchased the other day.
The first one is the straight skirt. I shortened by 4" because (1) I'm short; and (2) because my legs are short, below-knee length does not look good on me.
There is only 1 pattern for the skirt. The front and back skirt use the same pattern.
Even though this is a straight skirt, with Lycra in the double knit and the elastic waist, it is a very comfy skirt. No problem getting in and out of an SUV.
What's great about this Gertie's book is that it has instruction to modify the basic pattern.
So for my second version, I modified the straight skirt pattern to make a gored skirt. Still uses same pattern for front and back, but the front has now 3 pieces sew together with a little bit of flare at the hem.
Both fabrics are left-over from my Jalie yoga pants. I sew the seams with my serger and used coverstitch for waist and hem.
I love the comfort of elastic waist and knit fabric with Lycra, and yet it is still work appropriate.
I am so glad to have bought this book.
なんと型紙たったの1枚。前身ごろも後ろ身ごろも同じ型紙使用。
その上なんとウエストはゴムっ。
ニット生地はヨガパンツに使ったあまり布でとてもよく伸び縮みするので車の乗り降りなんかも楽チンです。
多分小学生が家庭科で巾着袋作るぐらいのレベルの簡単さでした。
この布はやっぱりヨガパンツに使ったあまり布。ニット服は使う量が少なくていい。
パー子さん並に全身ピンクなアラフォーです。イェイ。
Even though this is a straight skirt, with Lycra in the double knit and the elastic waist, it is a very comfy skirt. No problem getting in and out of an SUV.
What's great about this Gertie's book is that it has instruction to modify the basic pattern.
So for my second version, I modified the straight skirt pattern to make a gored skirt. Still uses same pattern for front and back, but the front has now 3 pieces sew together with a little bit of flare at the hem.
Both fabrics are left-over from my Jalie yoga pants. I sew the seams with my serger and used coverstitch for waist and hem.
I love the comfort of elastic waist and knit fabric with Lycra, and yet it is still work appropriate.
I am so glad to have bought this book.
November 12, 2015
Lemons
今年もレモンの時期がやってきました。今年は色が変わるのが早い。
ちなみに先週、今年最後のナスとしし唐をグリルして食べました。
これで花壇は春まで手付かずかな。
Lemons from our lime tree. (The lime part of the tree died from the frost a few years ago and the root stock part of the tree, which was lemon, has grown perfectly healthy.)
I don't think these lemons are any less quality just because it was a root stock. They look rather round for a lemon but perfectly tart.
I'm looking for a good recipe that uses a lot of lemons but other than lemonade, not very many recipes call for more than a table spoon of juice.
I made a batch of lemon bar, which only used 3 lemons (2/3 cup).
Hmmmm what can I make with buckets of lemons to come...
ちなみに先週、今年最後のナスとしし唐をグリルして食べました。
これで花壇は春まで手付かずかな。
I don't think these lemons are any less quality just because it was a root stock. They look rather round for a lemon but perfectly tart.
I'm looking for a good recipe that uses a lot of lemons but other than lemonade, not very many recipes call for more than a table spoon of juice.
I made a batch of lemon bar, which only used 3 lemons (2/3 cup).
Hmmmm what can I make with buckets of lemons to come...
November 10, 2015
Banana Bread
仕事に持っていくお弁当には果物を必ずひとつ入れるんだけど、オットがお弁当不要な日が続いて、バナナが余ってしまったのでバナナブレッドを作りました。
ちなみに夕ご飯は春巻きでした。
春巻きの中身は残り物のグリルした海老に焼きそばと牛そぼろを混ぜてみました。
一般的な春巻きの具をかなり超越しています（笑）
春巻きの中身は残り物のグリルした海老に焼きそばと牛そぼろを混ぜてみました。
一般的な春巻きの具をかなり超越しています（笑）
Since bunch of bananas were getting ripen on the kitchen counter, I baked banana nut bread.
Also made eggrolls for dinner. The contents of the eggrolls were: left-over grilled shrimp, yakisoba, ground beef. I know, I have gotten too far away from traditional eggrolls these days.
November 8, 2015
Spelunking at Peppersauce Cave
洞窟探検に行ってきました。
ペッパーソースというこの洞窟は、実はかなり知られている割には、町や州のオフィシャルガイドには載っていない洞窟で、公道から見えるところには標識すらありません。
実は先月一度行ってみたものの洞窟自体を見つけるのに時間がかかりすぎて、洞窟が見つかったころにはタイムアップで矯正終了という結果に終わった洞窟だったのです。
洞窟はうちから1時間半ぐらいの山にあり、今回は行ったらもう車が10台ぐらいとまってた。どうもボーイスカウトか何かのグループだったよう。駐車場とかもちろん無いので、未舗装のくねくね道路の路肩に駐車。
幸い私たちが洞窟に入ったころには団体グループは洞窟を出るころで、ちょうど良かったです。
さて、洞窟探検だけど、いや、自分の限界を見ました。肉体のではなく、精神的に。
自分でもびっくりしたね。閉所恐怖症な症状が出るとは思ってもいませんでした。
観光向けに歩きやすくなってる洞窟とは大違いで、完全に自然なままで、ものすごいタイトスペースな割れ目をカニ歩きで進んだり、それこそ手にひざで這い蹲って進んだりしなくちゃならないわけよ。
それはいいの、それは。泥まみれなのもいいの。
問題は、1時間半ほど進んだ、洞窟の一番奥（多分）のほうで、岩の間の、高さ40センチぐらいの間を3メートルぐらい進まなくてはならなかったところ（下記写真参照。ちなみに写真は一緒に行ったお友達）。
自分の体全部がこの狭い岩の間に入ったところで、ビミョーにパニック症状発生。
膝をつくどころか、ひじをつくこともできない。体勢を変えることも出来ない。
頭を上げて先を見るのが精一杯。
完全に腹ばいで岩の上を滑って進むような状態でやっと中間点。
完全に体全部が巨大な岩と岩の間。
急に心臓バクバクしだした。
最悪なのが、私が一番体が小さいから、自ら進んで1番手で様子見てくると入ったので、後1.5メートルほど進んでも広い場所に出れるかすらわからず、なんだかとっても不安になったのでした。
唯一ある地図はほぼ役立たずで自分たちが洞窟のどこにいるのかもわからず、岩肌にスプレーで矢印が書いてあったりするけどどれを信じていいのかもわからず、大体「初心者用」とか「上級者用」とかのコースがあるわけでもなく、全くの未知の世界をそれこそ手探りで進んでいる状態で、ヘッドライト消したら自分の手がどこにあるかも見えない漆黒の闇で、今ここで過呼吸になったら最悪だな、と思ったら余計に不安になって、もし具合悪くなっても自力で洞窟から出るのにあと1時間はかかるのか、とか思ったらまた余計不安になって、とにかく岩と岩、40センチの間でびっくりするほどパニクりました。
リュックしょっては通れないような狭い穴とかを通り抜けたりするので、もし本当に洞窟内で怪我とかしたら、レスキュー隊、大変だろうな、と思いました。
実際、泥と湿度でどこも非常に滑りやすく、ちょっと間違ってあたったら頭蓋骨割れるな、って思うようなとがった岩ばかり。
へき地なので、洞窟から出ても、救急車では最寄の病院まで遠すぎるからヘリコプター出動になるようなところです。
ちなみにヘリコプターで救出されると、ヘリコプター代だけで軽く100万円ぐらいかかります。
そんなことも考えて余計不安の悪スパイラルなのでした。
そのあと先もしばらくかなり狭いところが続いて、心臓のバクバクも止まらず、あたし、もうだめかも、と思ったけど、おやつ休憩とって糖分とったらたらなんとか持ち直せました。（腹減ってただけか？）
2時間強ぐらいで洞窟から出てきたころには気分上場で、また来てもいいかな、とか思ったり。
のどもとすぎれば、ってやつだな。
Went to spelunking at Peppersauce Cave.
First of all, "spelunking" is my most favorite English word so I like using it. I just like the sound of the word. Sounds very cheerful and fun for some reason. Interesting combination of the sound.
Anyway, the Peppersauce Cave. I had never heard of it until a friend mentioned it a couple of months ago, but the Peppersauce Cave is I guess pretty well known around here. It's all natural cave and many people visit there. But is is never mentioned in any of the state's or town's official visitor guide. There is not even a sign visible from the road. I guess no governmental entity wants to maintain this cave because it is probably just too cost prohibitive to make it a tourist friendly place. Just too much liability, I guess.
The cave is off of a winding dirt road. There is no actual parking spot, but there is a good place to park a few cars without blocking the traffic.
We actually tried to find the cave last month. The thing is, when we Googled it, the map was pointing at a totally different place. So we were looking for the cave for a couple of hours in the entirely wrong place. By the time we actually found the cave, it was just too late to go in.
The cave is at the 2nd bridge after Peppersauce Campground if you are coming from Oracle.
Park your car after the left curve, walk back to the bridge, go down into the wash from the right side of the bridge.
The main entrance to the cave is to your right, up on the hill surface, just past the cave sign.
Few things I leaned:
-The cave is very humid. While it's not hot, it is not cool either so definitely a short sleeve T shirt weather in there.
-You will need a good pair of hiking shoes. The ground is packed clay dirt over a rock so very slippery and muddy at many places.
-Wear long pants. Some places, I had to climb up some slippery slope on hands and knees. While the shoes lost traction, the jeans helped.
-Wear gloves. This is not hiking. I had to grab rocks and cling onto dirt surfaces a lot and gloves really helped and kept my hands clean, which was nice when I wanted to take cell phone pictures or get a snack/water out of my backpack.
-Wear a hat. A baseball cap will do. So many low ceiling tight spots with jagged rock.
-Bring a protein bar in addition to water/sports drink. It took about a good 2 hours to come out of the cave, and you will need some good dense snack to take a break at one point in the cave.
-Good LED headlight is a must. Multiple sources of light is nice so I recommend going with a group. I went in a group of 3, each with a headlight, and that helped illuminate the cave well. In addition to my head light, I also had one small hand-held flash light (the kind that you can get it for free at Harbor Freight) with a strap. The strap was very helpful while using ladders (there are a couple places that you have to climb up/down the ladders) or when I had to grab rocks. The size of the flash light (approx. 3.5") and its cheapness were also nice so I don't have to worry about banging it around. (I know many of the maglights don't even come with a place to hook a strap, which I don't understand. Hand-held flashlight without a strap is useless in any occasion.)
-Bring a change of clothes, and make sure to bring a change of shoes. Also don't forget a garbage bag to put the dirty shoes/clothes in. Not only will you be more comfortable in clean clothes on your way home, your car (and the owner of your vehicle if different from you) will also appreciate it.
-If you have any inclination of claustrophobia, this cave may not be a good idea. (Well, any cave for that matter but...) Because not only are you going through some tight sports, like you have to craw or you have to take your back pack off, but also you may be 1 hour into the cave, and it will take another hour to get out. (And if you do need medical attention for any sickness or injury, you will more likely to require an air evac because the area is too rural for a ground transport, which will cost you easily $10k.)
I never thought I was claustrophobic. But I had some serious panicked moments while I was on my belly, between the ground and a huge rock, less than 1.5 foot high, where I couldn't stand on my knees or pull myself up on my elbow, barely enough height to lift my head up, totally flat on the ground for about 10 feet.
At half way through the 10 foot crawl, I realized that my entire body was totally under this very low ceiling, horizontal fissure. My heart started beating really, really fast. It must be what some people feel when they are in an MRI machine. But it's worse because no one will pull you out in a second in the cave, and it still takes another hour to get out of the cave.
It's funny how different it feels to be in the 1.5 feet fissure when you are flat belly down when compared to walking through a vertical fissure of 1.5 feet wide.
So, that was my spelunking experience. We all enjoyed the experience and I'm sure the guys want to come back and explore more of the numerous off shoots ways through the cave.
Today, I am just suffering from all the muscle pain.
ペッパーソースというこの洞窟は、実はかなり知られている割には、町や州のオフィシャルガイドには載っていない洞窟で、公道から見えるところには標識すらありません。
実は先月一度行ってみたものの洞窟自体を見つけるのに時間がかかりすぎて、洞窟が見つかったころにはタイムアップで矯正終了という結果に終わった洞窟だったのです。
洞窟はうちから1時間半ぐらいの山にあり、今回は行ったらもう車が10台ぐらいとまってた。どうもボーイスカウトか何かのグループだったよう。駐車場とかもちろん無いので、未舗装のくねくね道路の路肩に駐車。
幸い私たちが洞窟に入ったころには団体グループは洞窟を出るころで、ちょうど良かったです。
さて、洞窟探検だけど、いや、自分の限界を見ました。肉体のではなく、精神的に。
自分でもびっくりしたね。閉所恐怖症な症状が出るとは思ってもいませんでした。
観光向けに歩きやすくなってる洞窟とは大違いで、完全に自然なままで、ものすごいタイトスペースな割れ目をカニ歩きで進んだり、それこそ手にひざで這い蹲って進んだりしなくちゃならないわけよ。
それはいいの、それは。泥まみれなのもいいの。
問題は、1時間半ほど進んだ、洞窟の一番奥（多分）のほうで、岩の間の、高さ40センチぐらいの間を3メートルぐらい進まなくてはならなかったところ（下記写真参照。ちなみに写真は一緒に行ったお友達）。
自分の体全部がこの狭い岩の間に入ったところで、ビミョーにパニック症状発生。
膝をつくどころか、ひじをつくこともできない。体勢を変えることも出来ない。
頭を上げて先を見るのが精一杯。
完全に腹ばいで岩の上を滑って進むような状態でやっと中間点。
完全に体全部が巨大な岩と岩の間。
急に心臓バクバクしだした。
最悪なのが、私が一番体が小さいから、自ら進んで1番手で様子見てくると入ったので、後1.5メートルほど進んでも広い場所に出れるかすらわからず、なんだかとっても不安になったのでした。
唯一ある地図はほぼ役立たずで自分たちが洞窟のどこにいるのかもわからず、岩肌にスプレーで矢印が書いてあったりするけどどれを信じていいのかもわからず、大体「初心者用」とか「上級者用」とかのコースがあるわけでもなく、全くの未知の世界をそれこそ手探りで進んでいる状態で、ヘッドライト消したら自分の手がどこにあるかも見えない漆黒の闇で、今ここで過呼吸になったら最悪だな、と思ったら余計に不安になって、もし具合悪くなっても自力で洞窟から出るのにあと1時間はかかるのか、とか思ったらまた余計不安になって、とにかく岩と岩、40センチの間でびっくりするほどパニクりました。
リュックしょっては通れないような狭い穴とかを通り抜けたりするので、もし本当に洞窟内で怪我とかしたら、レスキュー隊、大変だろうな、と思いました。
実際、泥と湿度でどこも非常に滑りやすく、ちょっと間違ってあたったら頭蓋骨割れるな、って思うようなとがった岩ばかり。
へき地なので、洞窟から出ても、救急車では最寄の病院まで遠すぎるからヘリコプター出動になるようなところです。
ちなみにヘリコプターで救出されると、ヘリコプター代だけで軽く100万円ぐらいかかります。
そんなことも考えて余計不安の悪スパイラルなのでした。
そのあと先もしばらくかなり狭いところが続いて、心臓のバクバクも止まらず、あたし、もうだめかも、と思ったけど、おやつ休憩とって糖分とったらたらなんとか持ち直せました。（腹減ってただけか？）
2時間強ぐらいで洞窟から出てきたころには気分上場で、また来てもいいかな、とか思ったり。
のどもとすぎれば、ってやつだな。
 |
| This is the correct orientation of the photo, by the way. |
First of all, "spelunking" is my most favorite English word so I like using it. I just like the sound of the word. Sounds very cheerful and fun for some reason. Interesting combination of the sound.
Anyway, the Peppersauce Cave. I had never heard of it until a friend mentioned it a couple of months ago, but the Peppersauce Cave is I guess pretty well known around here. It's all natural cave and many people visit there. But is is never mentioned in any of the state's or town's official visitor guide. There is not even a sign visible from the road. I guess no governmental entity wants to maintain this cave because it is probably just too cost prohibitive to make it a tourist friendly place. Just too much liability, I guess.
The cave is off of a winding dirt road. There is no actual parking spot, but there is a good place to park a few cars without blocking the traffic.
We actually tried to find the cave last month. The thing is, when we Googled it, the map was pointing at a totally different place. So we were looking for the cave for a couple of hours in the entirely wrong place. By the time we actually found the cave, it was just too late to go in.
The cave is at the 2nd bridge after Peppersauce Campground if you are coming from Oracle.
Park your car after the left curve, walk back to the bridge, go down into the wash from the right side of the bridge.
The main entrance to the cave is to your right, up on the hill surface, just past the cave sign.
Few things I leaned:
-The cave is very humid. While it's not hot, it is not cool either so definitely a short sleeve T shirt weather in there.
-You will need a good pair of hiking shoes. The ground is packed clay dirt over a rock so very slippery and muddy at many places.
-Wear long pants. Some places, I had to climb up some slippery slope on hands and knees. While the shoes lost traction, the jeans helped.
-Wear gloves. This is not hiking. I had to grab rocks and cling onto dirt surfaces a lot and gloves really helped and kept my hands clean, which was nice when I wanted to take cell phone pictures or get a snack/water out of my backpack.
-Wear a hat. A baseball cap will do. So many low ceiling tight spots with jagged rock.
-Bring a protein bar in addition to water/sports drink. It took about a good 2 hours to come out of the cave, and you will need some good dense snack to take a break at one point in the cave.
-Good LED headlight is a must. Multiple sources of light is nice so I recommend going with a group. I went in a group of 3, each with a headlight, and that helped illuminate the cave well. In addition to my head light, I also had one small hand-held flash light (the kind that you can get it for free at Harbor Freight) with a strap. The strap was very helpful while using ladders (there are a couple places that you have to climb up/down the ladders) or when I had to grab rocks. The size of the flash light (approx. 3.5") and its cheapness were also nice so I don't have to worry about banging it around. (I know many of the maglights don't even come with a place to hook a strap, which I don't understand. Hand-held flashlight without a strap is useless in any occasion.)
-Bring a change of clothes, and make sure to bring a change of shoes. Also don't forget a garbage bag to put the dirty shoes/clothes in. Not only will you be more comfortable in clean clothes on your way home, your car (and the owner of your vehicle if different from you) will also appreciate it.
-If you have any inclination of claustrophobia, this cave may not be a good idea. (Well, any cave for that matter but...) Because not only are you going through some tight sports, like you have to craw or you have to take your back pack off, but also you may be 1 hour into the cave, and it will take another hour to get out. (And if you do need medical attention for any sickness or injury, you will more likely to require an air evac because the area is too rural for a ground transport, which will cost you easily $10k.)
I never thought I was claustrophobic. But I had some serious panicked moments while I was on my belly, between the ground and a huge rock, less than 1.5 foot high, where I couldn't stand on my knees or pull myself up on my elbow, barely enough height to lift my head up, totally flat on the ground for about 10 feet.
At half way through the 10 foot crawl, I realized that my entire body was totally under this very low ceiling, horizontal fissure. My heart started beating really, really fast. It must be what some people feel when they are in an MRI machine. But it's worse because no one will pull you out in a second in the cave, and it still takes another hour to get out of the cave.
It's funny how different it feels to be in the 1.5 feet fissure when you are flat belly down when compared to walking through a vertical fissure of 1.5 feet wide.
So, that was my spelunking experience. We all enjoyed the experience and I'm sure the guys want to come back and explore more of the numerous off shoots ways through the cave.
Today, I am just suffering from all the muscle pain.
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