Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Movin’ to Mammoth

Mammoth Cave, KY – April 8-9, 2014

Tuesday morning, April 8, we finally made up our minds to head for Mammoth Cave National Park for two reasons. One, we had never been there before and two, EJ gets another stamp in her National Park Passport book.

It was a fairly uneventful trip until we were about half way there. That’s when we found ourselves on a narrow country road where the lanes were barely large enough to accommodate Big Guy. We had about 6 inches to spare on either side, not counting the mirrors. Fortunately we only encountered one eighteen wheeler coming towards us which certainly produced a monumental pucker factor but also let us know that low bridges wouldn’t be a problem. If an eighteen wheeler can make it, so can we.

We pulled into Mammoth Cave Campground in the rain and there was no one at the guard gate. After a couple of circles around the campground we selected a spot with the fewest puddles and it happened to be next to the restroom. Convenient when you’re trying to conserve water and holding tank usage.Most NP’s are dry camp only. This was going to be one of the coldest nights we experienced so far so special accommodations needed to be made for the cats.

Cat House for Cold Nights

The next day was bright and sunny, but the cats couldn’t be bothered.

Sleeping Cats

You know, we really thought we bought that love seat for us.

We decided to take the “Domes and Dripstones” tour. But first, the National Park Passport must get stamped.

Mammoth Stamp

We listen to Ranger Linda tell us about all the things that children aren’t supposed to do. Her talk would have been about half as long without that part.

Ranger Linda

Afterwards they loaded us onto these green buses.

Mammoth Buses

Then they hauled us off to this door in the ground. That’s Ranger Dave on the right making sure no one escapes.

Cave door

And finally, the this part of the Cave…

DD1DD2DD3DD5DD6DD7

DD4

No flash photo’s allowed.

The cave was formed by underground rivers which now are further underground because the water table has dropped leaving the caves mostly dry. It was pretty amazing. This tour was rated as moderate, but we were both feeling the burn. It was 300 ft down and of course we had to come back up. They said it was only 3/4 of a mile, but it took two hours.

Pray Frank

I can’t believe we were just 300 feet underground…

EJ Stare

Yeah Frank. Where are those French Fries we ordered?!

On the way back to the campground we pass the old Mammoth passenger train and a couple of furry residents.

Mammoth Train and Deer

Historic Entrance Deserted

‘So Long’ from the Historic entrance to Mammoth Cave.

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