Mammoth Cave Season
Another article on Mammoth Cave? Yes! Get ready for several more!
Why?
I’m not going to answer…
Anyway. Last week I wrote about the lesser obvious activities in Mammoth Cave. Namely, the above ground hiking.
These week I thought I would keep it light, or a place with the typical absence thereof, and actually talk about Mammoth Cave’s main draw, namely the photogenic sunsets!
No, but really though. Mammoth Cave. It and other caves in the surrounding area have been the biggest tourist draw in the region for ages. Horse Cave, Onyx Cave, Diamond Caverns, Great Onyx Cave, going a bit further afield Hidden River Cave, and going even further afield Lost River Cave. Day visitors may come for the hiking. Outdoor travelers may come for the river rafting. People with roots in the park may return for the family history. History buffs may come for the rest of the history. Cagey authors who write too long paragraphs may come for the book research, but southern central Kentucky- just off of I-65 (these days) is a destination because of the caves.
Just look at the names: Cave City, Horse Cave, Brownsville… Ok, I’ve lost the plot. The very simply point is: Mammoth Cave. That’s why people visit Mammoth Cave National Park. That, my point, also my point is that there are other caves in the area.
Why is that even a point worth making?
Because I find it interesting. What is our interests in big holes in the ground? Is it an interest in the unexplored? Is it an interest in embracing and overcoming a fear of darkness? Is it an appreciation for a nearly otherworldly experience — something so different from most of our lives? Is it an extension of our desire for exploration and wonder? It’s probably all of the above. And probably other things too.
The railings and steps arent 5,000 years old.
What we do know, from Mammoth Cave amongst others, is that people have been exploring caves for more than 5,000 years. And that exploration continues through to today. Carlsbad Caverns, Lechuguilla, Mammoth Cave, and countless others around the world. Tempting Black Maws which draw us in, and show us an aspect of our world usually unseen.
And there is none longer, or more famous, than Mammoth Cave. So, expect to read more about it… if you keep up with these blogs… for the next several blogs. I anticipated writing about the history, the geology, the ecology, the fun facts and funny figures, all the things that I couldn’t fit into the upcoming book and more.
This is blog is a simple an announcement of the next couple blogs, and it is soft launch part 2 for the cover of the second book in the Junior Rangers Investigative Club Series. (I’m still practicing “marketing.”)
For now I will leave you with just two interesting facts, one of which might be a repeat from last weeks blog. (which is why I chose a second one as well.)
I just wanted to use this goofy image again.
#1 - The Mammoth of Mammoth Cave is it’s size. There aren’t any known Mammoth Bones to have been discovered in Mammoth Cave. If you want Mammoth bones, head to Northern Kentucky and a place actually called Big Bone Lick.
#2 - One of the rivers in Mammoth Cave is called the River Styx after Grecian Myth. Unfortunately, I can’t find any record of tour guides named Charon giving river tours in Mammoth Cave.