Goodbye, Corbin, Kentucky. I won’t miss you.
The two-hour drive to Mammoth Cave National Park felt quick. Maybe it’s because I crossed into the Central time zone and gained an hour along the way. I expected Cave City to be a quiet town, and was quite surprised to discover that it’s a grade-A tourist trap. Lining the road are billboards for half a dozen privately owned caves, gemstone shops, zip lines, horseback riding, outlaw museums, dinosaur replicas, etc., with occasional dashes of cultural insensitivity and blatant copyright infringement. Jellystone is also in Cave City.
I went on two cave tours today. Minimal pictures, since I had limited time to drink in my surroundings. Both were led completely by lantern light, which I deliberately chose instead of electrically-lit tours. First was the Great Onyx Cave, which featured some pretty formations and gypsum outcroppings, but I found it hard to concentrate due to the lack of respect of other tourists—walking off the path, using forbidden flash photography, and talking over the rangers. I am the Cave Karen, and I decree that no Croc-wearers shall be allowed to enter.
The Violet City tour was more strenuous, and I think it weeded out the lame-os. This group was small and focused as we hiked through Mammoth Cave proper, in awe of the 50-foot ceilings and layers of history left by Native Americans, slaves, and New Deal workers. Pictures cannot do justice to the feeling that your world blends to darkness beyond your lamp light. If you go to Mammoth Cave, take this tour.
Another two hours and I crossed the Ohio River into Indiana, stopping to eat dinner at an old-fashioned drive-in. The sun set. A stray cat walked the parking lot. Today was a good day.
So glad you had a couple of good tours at Mammoth Cave. Makes me want to go back! And now you are in central time. Moving right along. I wonder what adventures you will encounter next!
Love, Grandma
So, say “Hi!” to Larry Bird while you’re in Indiana… and “God Bless Mr. Rosewater,” too!
BTW, are you planning to take in New Orleans? The only reason I’m suggesting this is because you may find a job doing what you like to do.
That’s the one big city I’m planning on visiting! Once the weather cools down, of course.
Cool weather or not, you’ll be in New Orleans on November 28th at 4pm
This made me smile:)