penguinsMake sure you've got some Vanilla Ice base line going through your mind when you read that header (or better yet, think David Bowie & Queen for the real deal...). Anyways, a few years back (at least 5, cause we didn't have any kids yet), me, my wife and friend of ours went upstate a bit to visit what's called The Ice Caves. They're somewhere in the New Paltz area of New York (the Hudson Valley region). It was summer and pretty hot that day. I had my old 2 megapixel Canon Powershot digital camera with me on that day. (Yes, that will come into play later...)

We drive the hour or two to get there, find parking (which was some weird sort of open airy with realllly old rundown looking buildings. We weren't sure if we were supposed to park there or it was private property or what. But we went in the nearest building (which had an awesome golden retriever just chillin' on the cool floor) and got maps, directions and saw a mini gift shop filled mostly with postcards and nature books. We found our way and started up the loong hike. It slowly climbed upward and stopped at a few gorgeous areas with breathtaking views. Eventually we made it to the "caves" area. Remember it was the middle of summer, so we're wearing shorts and T-shirts, trying not to sweat too much. But the second we entered these caves... it was like we walked into a meatlocker freezer or something. *Shiver* Cold as anything, but gorgeous. Here we were in the summer, in NY, walking around inside a cave that had ice stalactites hanging from the ceiling. They weren't very long though, so we rapidly went through the caves. Super neat to see and walk through. And around it is a very cool, not too tough hike up and down a sort of valley on a somewhat narrow path. And on that path... is where we got hit. Bad. Not just by a drizzle. Not just by a rainstorm. But by a crazy, insane, where-the-hell-did-it-come-from monsoon it seemed like. Our clothes were drenched to say the least. Seriously. I could grab my shirt and wring out the water in it! The nearest shelter was, of course, the ice caves. So soaking wet, we'd duck in the caves and instantly shiver. (Oh yeah, and my camera? It still worked, but it got pretty messed up. The viewscreen now was super blurry and photos never quite seemed as crisp as they did before.)

It soon stopped but now we were drenched and had to walk all the way back to the car. Far from a comfortable walk. We really didn't want to ahve to sit in the car for 2 hours plus driivng home in our soaked knickers, so we actually stopped at Middletown on the way back and found... a Kohl's department store. I don't think I'd ever been in a Kohls before then. And I didn't care. We went in, i grabbed the cheapest pair of shorts and some horrible cheap T-shirt that in bright neon colors said something like "Don't make me release the flying monkeys". No, really. But it cost like $10 total I think so I didn't care. Oh yeah, i grabbed some new undies too. We actually changed in the dressing room, then got in the car, went somewhere for lunch and headed home.

So of course, here's a related coupon for you! Two actually just in case one expires before you read this, and yes, they're both for Kohls!

10% off your purchase at Kohls.com
Use promo code NEW9658 during checkout.
Valid through: August 18, 2007
Terms & Conditions: Excludes sales tax and shipping. Not valid with other coupon offers, purchases of gift cards, Kohl's Cares for Kids merchandise, and price adjustments on prior purchases.

10% off your purchase at Kohls.com
Use promo code NEW1668 during checkout.
Valid through: August 25, 2007
Terms & Conditions: Excludes sales tax and shipping. Not valid with other coupon offers, purchases of gift cards, Kohl's Cares for Kids merchandise, and price adjustments on prior purchases.