Mammoth Cave National Park “occupies 52,830 acres.” “Mammoth Cave has yielded archeological evidence of human approximately 4,000 years ago. During the War of 1812 the cave furnished saltpeter used to manufacture gunpowder.” The cave contains more than 367 miles of underground passages charted on five levels. It is said to be the longest cave system known and was hollowed out by the seepage of ground water and the flow of underground streams. The cave contains remnants of 4,000 year old stick cane torches, woven sandals and names written on the cave walls by guides during the 19th century using candle smoke.
Got up and ready for 9 am for our first tour of New Entrance Cave. Before we boarded the bus, the Ranger made sure each participant felt they could handle the depth and narrow passageways that we would encounter while 310 feet down into the cave to include bad knees, back, heart disease, claustrophobia, respiratory problems etc. as we found out there were narrow passages and low areas where you had to duck to get through some areas. The temperature in the cave is a constant 54 degrees. We saw Frozen Niagara, stalacties and stalagmites.
The second tour was as 12 noon and it was the Historic tour. We walked two miles down into the cave from an outdoor staircase. There was dim lighting in the cave system and at one point the Ranger turned out the lights so you could see how dark it was.
Stopped in Corbin, KY for the night – home of Colonel Harland Sanders (KFC) and Dave finally got to have chicken livers. We took photos sitting next to a plastic Col. Sanders.
It will be a short drive to Great Smoky Mountains National Park tomorrow. We are now in the eastern time zone which means we are getting closer to home.
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