Along the road

We spent the last few days driving up from Texas to New York to see Dad and my family. Along the way we took a few hours off to visit Mammoth Cave. Thanks to BH (Better Half), who spotted our proximity while on the road. We had no idea how huge this park was until we drove in from the interstate. It goes on for miles and miles. As we arrived at the site we despaired a bit. The parking lots were both huge and full. The visitor center made clear that the guided tours were pretty full for the day, so we opted for a self-guided tour. It was enough, as it turned out.

After a brief walk down a shady path we reached the cave entrance. A Park Service guide gave us a brief introduction, then we started down. At the top of the stairs it felt like an air conditioner was in place. Cool air blowing up from the opening enveloped us. It felt great, given the warmth of the day.

The self-guided tour is in a pretty pedestrian part of the cave. Some of the walkway is paved, some is a slightly uneven natural surface.

During the War of 1812, this cave served as a source of saltpeter (Potassium Nitrate), the oxidizer in the gunpowder of the time. The war and associated blockade had cut off supplies from abroad. You can just make out the works here (not enough light from my flash to do it justice.) The nitrate was washed out of the materials as a Calcium salt, then Potassium was substituted. The trade ceased quickly when the war ended, as saltpeter from bat guano and other sources again became available.

We spent a bit of time down the hole, then looked for daylight again.

We spent some time walking down to the spot where the Green River emerges from a spring coming out of the cave.

The area seemed rife with butterflies. This one caught our eyes on  one of the interpretive signs. From the side it looked like a dry leaf.

Down in the bottom, where their feet are wet, was a large stand of ancient Sycamore trees. Here BH provided an idea of their huge size.

In the midst of a significant climb back to the parking lot, BH found a refuge in an old hulk.

As we were climbing (and I was wheezing), we came on a group of three young guys loafing at a bend in the path. I was about to make fun of them for letting old farts come up on them when they bounded straight up the hillside. They wanted no part of the switchback path, quickly putting a couple hundred feet of altitude between us.

Back at the parking lot we took sight of this more typical butterfly. Then we were off to finish the day's travels.