Spent the day in a cave

[vikingshadow]

I just got back from taking my family to the Alabaster Caverns State Park. If your ever in this part of the country, it's worth it to go. Heck, if you've never been to a cave system before, you should go when you get the chance. It's like a whole other world, and NOTHING like the movies.....

I've never been inside a cave like this before, so it was pretty amazing to me. I learned quite a lot, actually! There are 44,000 bats that live in these caves, and several species. The males actually don't hang upside down with the group, but choose to stay in pairs in random areas. There were raccoon tracks all the way into the middle of the cave, which shocked me - it's plenty dark in there!

Cool thing is, they allow "Wild Caving", which is exploring caves that aren't part of the tour. I actually thought about going there to apply for a summer job, but I'm not to fond of poisonous snakes, and they have 3 different types of rattlesnakes in that area, so yeah.....

Here's a link to it - not a great link, but there are others....Anyone else ever been to a cave system before?

[Hossy]

Originally Posted by vikingshadow

I learned quite a lot, actually!

I thought you were the teach, vike!

i went to a cave like 2 years ago, there simply amazing

[taurinic]

i went to one in virginia, it was pretty cool

[vwjimmy]

I have been to Mammoth Caves here in KY...just awesome

[Hob Hayward]

I've been to a few caves, one in Puerto Rico and one somewhere in the western united states. The best one by far though was going spelunking in upperstate new york on a class field trip (small private school=fun field trips). It was awesome.

[newkid]

Originally Posted by vwjimmy

I have been to Mammoth Caves here in KY...just awesome

yeah me 2

[colonel_moo]

Originally Posted by vwjimmy

I have been to Mammoth Caves here in KY...just awesome

yeah, ive been to Mammoth caves too... simply breathtaking

[bamf-hacker]

Vike, they are awesome aren't they...

We have been to the Luray Caverns in Virginia. It is an amazing place to visit and you leave in awe of the sites.

If any of you get a chance to go it is well worth it. One piece of advise, no matter what time of year you go, bring a jacket. It gets mighty cold that far underground.

Here are a few pics:

[DRAGON]

Stalagtites and stalagmites, which point up and which down is the question? Nice to visit a cave but I being a Dragon live in one year round. Next time you wanna visit a cave, give me a holla and I'll shoo all the bats and clean up teh guano -

[marvin-martian]

when i was in elementary school i remembered which is which by saying "stalactites hold on tight" meaning that that hold on the the ceiling and dont fall