 |
| Waiting for our Tour |
Spent the morning at
Mammoth Cave National Park. I cannot get over how magnificent our
National Park System is. Every one we’ve
been to has been just stellar. Great
interpretive displays, everything always in immaculate condition, efficiently
run, and such knowledgeable people that work there. We went on the Drips and Domes guided
Tour. Ranger Steve was our guide – what a
hoot he was! Great sense of humor but
also knew so much about the history and geology of the cave. Ranger John was awesome too! One travels in front and one in back of the group
so they make sure they don’t lose anyone!!
The tour we chose began at a site that was first “discovered” by a man
name
George Morrison in the early 1900s who wanted to cash in on the cave tour
business. He found a sinkhole and
thought it might lead into the caves so he blasted it and gained entrance into
a portion of Mammoth Cave. We went in that
entrance. It was kind of creepy entering
the metal door and descending down the steps.
I looked at the picture Jeff took of us all heading in there and it made
me think of the gas chambers during the holocaust – ack! It was 280 steps down to the cave. Thank goodness we didn’t have to walk that
many up.
 |
| George Morrison's Entrance into the Caves |
One of the best parts of the tour is when they turned out
all of the lights. Totally blackness –
couldn’t see our hands in front of our faces.
Made me think how brave those early explorers were. I always feel so wimpy when I think what our
ancestors went through to explore America.
We saw a couple of cave crickets – really long legs, kind of a pale
brown. Everything that lives down there
is blind – no need for sight in the pitch black. They just feel their way around. The caves were all carved by water wearing
down the limestone rock. The caves are a
constant 60 degrees. A welcome respite
from the 90s above ground.
After we finished the tour, we walked down to the historic
entrance. You immediately know you are
there because a cold rush of wind greets you.
It was so refreshing we wanted to stay down there out of the heat! Such a beautiful place. Even saw wild turkeys on the side of the road
as we came and went from the park. A deer,
too!
 |
| Ranger Steve telling us about cave history |
Stopped by a little house on the way out of the park. The man was selling all these darling little
birdhouses he made. So cute. We bought two. Need to replace the plastic watering can the
little wrens are using on our back porch.
I think it’s seen its last set of baby wrens before it completely falls
apart. The birds should like their new
digsJ
 |
| "Frozen Niagra" part of the cave |
Had dinner at Cracker Barrel – first time (and last!) eating
there. Too much grease but good grilled
trout and catfish. Last night was magical – the fireflies were everywhere. The whole field across from the rv park was
glittering like diamonds! The girls even
caught some – gently – and then let them go.
Jeff said they used to have them in Texas when he was younger but I’ve
never seen any. I think the heat
(climate change?) has driven them away.
I’m typing this as we head north to Ohio. The plan is to stop in a place called
Circleville for the night. Then head
north toward the Great Lakes. There is
another National Park up there called Cuyahoga Valley National Park. The other goal for the day is to find cheap
gas. We went from 3.55 a gal to 3.95 a
gallon in the space of a few miles. What’s up with that!!!
 |
| Stalactites |
 |
| Stalactites |
 |
| Historic Entrance - Nice and cool! |
 |
| Cooling off at the Historic Entrance |
Later today - We made it into Ohio today. Jeff drove 313 miles - longer than we had expected because of a detour. But at least it's cooler here. Jeff said it reminds him of Iowa - lots of cornfields. We are headed up to the Great Lakes tomorrow.
 |
| Time for a snack and a beverage! |
No comments:
Post a Comment