2007-24 Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Hello All,
This week found us pointing the truck towards the Northwest. We ended up in the little town of Munfordville, Kentucky, where we grabbed a motel room for the night. Then we searched for a place to have dinner. The only place we could find open was a Mexican restaurant. When you are on a low fat diet like us, Mexican food is not the normal fare. Dang, it was good!!
With temperatures running into the 100’s we needed to find cover. What better place to go than underground. Early the next morning we were at Mammoth Cave National Park. Mammoth Cave is one of many caves in the extensive cave country of south central Kentucky. It is the longest known cave in the world with over 367 miles explored. The park was designated a World Heritage Site in 1981 and became the core area of an International Biosphere Reserve in 1990.
Since the cave is so long the Park Service offers many different tours into it. You have to choose a tour that suits your interests and physical ability. We chose what they call the New Entrance Tour because it takes you through one of the most photographed areas of the cave. A main attraction on this 2-hour tour is a formation discovered in 1923 which is named the Frozen Niagara. There are many nice formations in this part of the cave--hence the photo of the week.
This week found us pointing the truck towards the Northwest. We ended up in the little town of Munfordville, Kentucky, where we grabbed a motel room for the night. Then we searched for a place to have dinner. The only place we could find open was a Mexican restaurant. When you are on a low fat diet like us, Mexican food is not the normal fare. Dang, it was good!!
With temperatures running into the 100’s we needed to find cover. What better place to go than underground. Early the next morning we were at Mammoth Cave National Park. Mammoth Cave is one of many caves in the extensive cave country of south central Kentucky. It is the longest known cave in the world with over 367 miles explored. The park was designated a World Heritage Site in 1981 and became the core area of an International Biosphere Reserve in 1990.
Since the cave is so long the Park Service offers many different tours into it. You have to choose a tour that suits your interests and physical ability. We chose what they call the New Entrance Tour because it takes you through one of the most photographed areas of the cave. A main attraction on this 2-hour tour is a formation discovered in 1923 which is named the Frozen Niagara. There are many nice formations in this part of the cave--hence the photo of the week.
However, overall we were kind
of disappointed with the beauty of the cave. It doesn’t hold a candle to
Carlsbad Caverns for beautiful formations.
An upside of the cave was temperatures were around 60 degrees--it was wonderful. However, a downside of this particular tour is the over 500 stair steps included. There are 280 steep steps (like ladders) on the initial descent through some very narrow crevices--a real challenge for this old claustrophobic fat boy!! To say we were a little stiff and sore the next couple of days is an understatement!!
Coming out of the cave it was well over 100 degrees with a hot wind blowing! It was like getting hit between the eyes with a two by four!! On the drive home however, a radio announcer talking about the weather kind of put it all into perspective. He said “So you think it’s hot here. Folks, it was 132 degrees today in Iraq where our troops are fighting for our freedom--this ain‘t hot!!”
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
An upside of the cave was temperatures were around 60 degrees--it was wonderful. However, a downside of this particular tour is the over 500 stair steps included. There are 280 steep steps (like ladders) on the initial descent through some very narrow crevices--a real challenge for this old claustrophobic fat boy!! To say we were a little stiff and sore the next couple of days is an understatement!!
Coming out of the cave it was well over 100 degrees with a hot wind blowing! It was like getting hit between the eyes with a two by four!! On the drive home however, a radio announcer talking about the weather kind of put it all into perspective. He said “So you think it’s hot here. Folks, it was 132 degrees today in Iraq where our troops are fighting for our freedom--this ain‘t hot!!”
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns