A day in a Cave in the Rocky Mountains Essay

The soft morning breeze blew over the peaks and through the tall fragrant evergreen forest. Just outside the small mountain town of Idaho Springs, Colorado on a warm mid-summer morning back in 1991 I stood on my porch watching the wildlife busily starting the day. I stepped back into my little trailer house and picked up the land line and dialed the Hunt brothers’ number. Dan picked up the phone with a cheery â€Å"Hello.† â€Å"Hey bud† I said, â€Å"are you and Devan ready to head out on this weeks spelunking adventure?† He laughed loudly and replied â€Å"We’ve been waiting for you. Let’s go.† â€Å"Okay,† I stated â€Å"I will meet you two at the bottom of the hill in fifteen minuets† and we hung up. I got my things together and hustled out the front door. I heard barking up the hill behind the house and called â€Å"Coda come.† And my four-legged Chow-mix buddy came charging down the hill full of vibrancy and joy. Coda and I walked on down the road and met up with Dan and Devan at a clearing on the other side of Clear Creek, which was the local river that eventually furnished the Coors brewery in Golden. The four of us headed up the hill through a valley to a tailing pile that laid in front of the entrance that awaited us. See more:  Perseverance essay The entrance beckoned our arrival with a musty damp scent from years of still life in darkness. We had explored this mine a few times before and found it to be the biggest one accessible to adventurers like us needing to fulfill our desire of adrenalin brought on by the many aspects of danger that lie within. Coda led the way and I carefully ducted through the low overhead opening of rock and stone that was the entry to the bowels of this mountain. The feeling of the cool damp air on my exposed skin ran a shiver down my spine as I moved forward leaving the morning sun and safety of the outside world behind. The sound of crushed rocks under our feet echoed off the solid stone walls stretching far into the distance before fading away in silence. After about 200 feet the passageway turned to the left and the day light from the outside was lost. With the flick of a switch my three-cell Mag-Light broke the darkness and the sparkle of mica and pyrite reflected off the narrow walls and ceiling. In previous journeys through this mine we had found and traveled several levels and what seemed like miles of tunnels. Coda  was leading the way and every once in awhile I would call him, â€Å"Coda come.† And a moment later his soft brown eyes would reflect in the glow of our flashlights. After about 30 minutes of travel we came to the main shaft that led to the upper levels, It was about fifteen feet in diameter and had an old wooden ladder on the left side with its rugs full of crushed rock from years of deteriation and on the right side was a chute that ore from the upper levels was dropped down and loaded into the ore cars then taken out of the mine. We decided to take a water and smoke break here and sat ourselves down on the cool rocky floor in a small circle. Dan pulled out the water bottle, took a drink and passed it around while following our traditions I lit a candle and placed it in the middle of our circle. Devan then pulled out a joint and Dan’s Bic-lighter flicked as he lit up the joint and we passed it around heightening our experience with the mind altering effects of natures own. We absorbed the stillness hearing only our own breathing and the rustle of Coda’s feet investigating the tunnel around the next corner ahead. It wasn’t long and I became aware that I could no longer hear the noises of Coda up ahead. I called out his name, â€Å"Coda† waited a moment for the sound of his paws coming down the tunnel but in return all we heard was the sound of a few stones falling and a splash. We all looked at each other in the glimmer of the candle light with the same thought. Ahead in that tunnel there was a large hole in the stone floor going down too far to see with a light. It was one of the few spots we had not ventured yet because on a previous tunnel quest we had tossed some rocks down and after watching them bounce their way down beyond the reach of the lights we heard the splash of water from below. The light of the candle was overwhelmed then extinguished as our flashlights came to life and we moved toward the hole to a lower un-traveled existence. I called for Coda again after we rounded the second corner where the cavern opened up wider, about twenty feet wide by ten feet high and there was merely a two foot wide ledge that gave access to the tunnel ahead. The rest of the ground gave way to what looked liked the throat of Hell ready to swallow its victims. What I feared was true and we could hear from below the whimpering of a  scared friend. I shined my light down the hole and to my hearts content I could see the small figure of Coda just at the last reach of my light. Behind me I heard the sound of a zipper as Devan got into the back-pack and pulled out a rope that was always kept in our survival bag. One end of the rope was tossed to Dan and he quickly tied it to one of the ore car tracks running along the floor. We all knew that this time in this mine we would see what lied beyond our view. Devan tossed the other end down the shaft and when it reached Coda he tried to catch it like a bone, lol. I called down to Coda to ensure him I was on my way down. Then I grabbed the rope in my hands turned around and began a decent down the hole as Dan shown his light below me so I could see where I was stepping. After the first hundred feet the degree of decent decreased and I was able to release one hand off the rope without slipping down to join Coda. I turned my light back on and shown it in Codas direction and another 30 feet away he was excitingly hopping up and down like a lottery winner. I moved closer towards him and when I reached the 3 foot ledge that kept him at bay from jumping on me I hopped down and praised, and cuddled him in a loving nurturing way â€Å"You are such a brave dog† I told him. Devan called down inquiring as to the plan and I hollered back that everything was ok but I would need some help getting Coda back up. Devan started carefully back stepping down the shaft and I decided I would take a quick look around. This was the level we never seen so no since in wasting the trip. The tunnel was about three feet wide by six foot tall. The walls were very damp and the splash we heard was a stream of orange rusty water running right down the middle of the floor. Devan reached the bottom and I directed his attention toward the liquid rust flowing on the floor and the view of the unexplored tunnels in both directions. Our thoughts were on the same path as usual and we called up to Dan telling him to grab the bag, he had to see this! Upon his arrival we made a mutual decision to travel to the right, the direction the flow was coming from. We followed the flow about 70 feet till the tunnel ended abruptly. The sight at the end was something we had never seen before. The whole back wall was covered with an orange, brown and black buildup that looked like it was oozing out of the wall. From the  ceiling there were stalagtites of iron rust hanging down, some of them all the way to the floor. Water dripped from the ends of each of them and a stream came from out of the wall and flowed evenly over the rusty buildup there. We took a couple pictures of this unique and different scene that was in front of us. We poked around there for a few and turned down the other way to see where this flow of water was headed. As we passed our rope leading back up the shaft the flow path of water widened on the cavern floor gradually from the 12 inches to 18 inches and 50 feet further it covered the entire floor. We stood there a moment looking down at our boots submerged in the water past our toes. The decline was gradual and within another 100 feet the water was up to our ankles and rising. Coda stayed behind not wanting to get in the water, and 50 feet further we were knee deep in water. Again we all thought the same and decided that we wouldn’t go any further with out our inflatable raft and it was time to conclude our adventure and return ourselves to the reality of the outside world and allow the sun to shine upon our skin again. When we got back to the rope and Coda was anxiously waiting to get out so we daisy chained our way back up the shaft, pushing and pulling on him till we crested the top and pulled our little friend over the edge. After a short rest and the re-coiling of the rope I led the way back toward the outside world. We halted at the main shaft going to the upper levels were there was another opening on the side of the mountain but with careful consideration the decision was made that we had had enough adventure for one day and we should just head out the way we came. Around the last bend the afternoon sun burst into view and Coda was making a break for it. I stepped out into the hot afternoon sun and looked to the clear blue sky. I thanked God for keeping us all safe one more time. When Dan and Devan came out we headed down the hillside trailing behind Coda till he spotted a rabbit and took off after it. We never made it back down to that lower level to sail forward and see where it led because soon after that trip something happened in that cave and the county department had blocked off both entrances and posted no trespassing signs on them. It’s been awhile now since I’ve made the opportunity to travel back to that community and indulge in a spelunking  adventure, but I to keep in touch with the Hunt brothers via land line and again someday soon, I will make the time to experience that thrill again.

Fire in Lord of the Flies

In the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding. one of the main elements of the plot is a fire created by the boys. While the fire's foremost purpose Is for rescue, It also represents other underlying symbolistic themes. Order is one ot the tlrst things established once the fire is built. The fire's initial purpose, to get the kids rescued, represents hope. Also, the very being of the fire represents the Idea of life. From the very beginning of the novel, Ralph is determined to keep a signal fire going, in case d ship passes near to the Island.That's all well and good, until the first signal ire the boys light begins burning out of control, and at least one boy is missing, As Piggy tells Jack, â€Å"You got your small fire all right† (2. 210). The fire thus becomes a symbol, paradoxically, of both hope of rescue and of destrucuon. Ironically, it Is because of a fire that Jack lights at the end of the novel†in his attempt to hunt and kill Ralph†that the boys are rescued. And It makes sense.If the boys' world is Justa symbol for the real world, then they're not being rescued at all: they're just going on to a larger scale of violence†to grow up into soldiers getting sent off to war. Hence, rescue equals destruction. The Signal Fire Is a representation of commonsense and rescue from immorality. When the signal tire can no longer be lit, because Jack stole Piggy's specs that light it, its beacon of hope and knowledge is no longer present to guide Ralph who must then be constantly reminded by Piggy about what Is right.The Fire s Relationship Towards Civilization. In Lord of the Flies, the fire is a main symbol through out the story. It represents amount of civilized strength left within the boys. When the fire burns stronger, it means that they are getting closer to society and when the fire Is not burning or Is eak, they too are weakening. The signal fire becomes an indicator of the boys connection to civilization. Throughout the book, t he fire is a key symbol that means not only rescue, but hope and civilization.Even the forest fire In the end of the story, that was meant to destroy, ended up being the boy s key to rescue. In the beginning of this book, one of the most Important parts is when Jack let the fire go outto go hunting. Although hunting Is not necessarily barbaric or a loss of clvlllzatlon, It Is still what leads up to the loss of civili7atiom When Ralph realizes the power of the fire nd admits that if everyone does not do their duty and cooperate in keeping the fire going, all hopes In contacting clvlllzatlon outside are shattered.The tire Is their only chance of survival and if it goes out, their destined to stay on the island forever As long as the fire Is well maintained, the boys show a desire to return to their civilization, but when the tire burns low or goes out, the boys lose sight ot their wish to be rescued, because they have accepted their barbaric lives on the island. Fire in Lord of the Fl ies By SgtBlackScorp In the novel Lord of the Flies by William Golding, one of the main elements of the plot s a fire created by the boys. While the fire's foremost purpose is for rescue, it also represents other underlying symbolistic themes.Order is one of the first things represents hope. Also, the very being of the fire represents the idea of life. in case a ship passes near to the island. That's all well and good, until the first signal fire the boys light begins burning out of control, and at least one boy is missing. As symbol, paradoxically, of both hope of rescue and of destruction. Ironically, it is because of a fire that Jack lights at the end of the novel†in his attempt o hunt and kill Ralph†that the boys are rescued. And it makes sense.If the boys' world is Just a symbol for the real world, then they're not being rescued at all; they're The Signal Fire is a representation of commonsense and rescue from immorality. When the signal fire can no longer be lit, b ecause Jack stole Piggy's specs that light it, be constantly reminded by Piggy about what is right. means that they are getting closer to society and when the fire is not burning or is not only rescue, but hope and civilization. Even the forest fire in the end of the story, f this book, one of the most important parts is when Jack let the fire go out to go hunting.Although hunting is not necessarily barbaric or a loss of civilization, it is still what leads up to the loss of civilization. When Ralph realizes the power of the fire going, all hopes in contacting civilization outside are shattered. The fire is their only chance of survival and if it goes out, their destined to stay on the island forever. As long as the fire is well maintained, the boys show a desire to return to their civilization, but when the fire burns low or goes out, the boys lose sight of their wish

Concealed and Confessed Guilt in The Scarlet Letter and...

Two classical themes in literature are concealed guilt and confessed guilt and in many instances the reader sees the affects of these on individuals. In the examination and exploration of The Scarlet Letter and Macbeth the necessary comparison for both is provided. The guilt in The Scarlet Letter is seen in the minds and outward appearance of each main character, Hester Prynne and Arthur Dimmesdale. In Macbeth the readers sees an obvious guilt in the main character, Macbeth. When one does wrong, the common reaction is to hide it and pretend as if nothing happened. Because of the human conscience it is difficult to completely forget about a wrongdoing. Through our conscience guilt is built up and eventually that guilt shatters enough†¦show more content†¦Dimmesdale has a largely different approach to dealing with his sin. Arthur Dimmesdale handles his terrible guilt by concealing it to himself. To overcome it he would whip himself, and take long walks into the forest. Dimmesdale’s act of concealing his guilt shows that he is not brave enough to tell all and there for he must live fearfully and cowardly. This guilt he has chose to endure is much worse than any shame he would have felt had he just confessed his sin of adultery with Hester. Since he was a moral leader in his town he felt an obligation to keep it a secret but like in many cases where guilt is concealed, the sinner eventually reasons enough to confess. Dimmesdale does the same and confesses his sin to the townspeople. â€Å"He longed to speak out from his own pulpit, at the full height of his voice, and tell his people who he was.† Macbeth’s guilt is similar to the guilt Dimmesdale feels, but not replicated. They both begin to go mad when the sin begins to tear the mind apart. Macbeth begins hearing things as soon as the murder is completed. Macbeth is clearly influenced by Lady Macbeth who helps bring on much of his guilt. Lady Macbeth helps him to side with her in the killing of Duncan, which makes it easier for Macbeth to kill the king, despite his reservations, Macbeth sees Banquos ghost at the banquet table and he has an episode of