Subterranean Explorers

There was a large ditch near our house where we often played, especially after heavy rains. At one end was an entrance to an underground drainage system. But to me and Harry it was the entrance to an underworld of unexplored caves!

We entered with a flashlight and waded down the ever changing passageway. It was deep at some parts, then it got shallow. The tunnel would widen and get taller, then shrink again so we had to crouch to get through. There were small holes along the sides where water could drain in from smaller ditches. There were also plenty of spiders and bugs.

And after what seemed like miles, we found a drainage grate above us that led back to the outside world. So we slowly pushed the grate open, expecting to be at the other end of town. But we came up in somebody's yard about two blocks away from where we had started. Somewhat disappointed in the short distance we had actually traveled, we climbed out into the yard, replaced the grate, and walked back home. That was the last time we adventured in those tunnels.