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Jun. 16th, 2012 05:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
annissamazingMy family and I took a short-notice vacation to Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky this week. We got back last evening. We intentionally went to an area with poor cell reception and I left my computer behind. All of the stress-inducing problems that seemed insurmountable last week are now feeling more like the molehills they really are. The vacation was much needed and much appreciated.
We went to Mammoth Cave first thing Wednesday morning to sign up for a cave tour. The tours come in three levels of difficulty, easy, moderate, and strenuous. We were looking for easy tours, so we picked one out and got in line to sign up. Just as we got to the window, the tour we had in mind sold out, so we chose a different one, the "new entrance" tour. They assured us that children of all ages go on that tour, so we paid our fee and got on the bus. Ranger Bobby, our tour guide, warned us that there were many stairs and there would be a few tight squeezes. He said we'd all fit, but if any of us had claustrophobia, we'd want to rethink the tour.
The New Entrance tour took us through three different cave types: Living, Dormant, and Dying. As we descended over 500 stairs into the cave, we noticed dripping water and small puddles along the sides. They weren't kidding when they said there were some tight squeezes. I had to contort into weird shapes to get through a couple of places. I got a few pictures, but I still can't seem to get them off my phone.
The second cave was the stagnant cave. This one was much wider and taller and dryer. We sat down in a large cavern and the ranger shut off all the lights. With the complete absence of light, the sound of breathing became incredibly loud and all of the adults immediately held their breath. After several seconds, the ranger lit a BIC lighter and we were surprised to notice how far that tiny flame threw light.
The last cave was the dying cave. Water came through slowly and formed stalactites and stalagmites that will eventually make the cave impassable. For now, though, we can still see the amazing stone formations. I got some pictures of Frozen Niagara, the Drapery Room, and Crystal Lake.
Dominic was amazing on the tour. He kept up beautifully and followed directions immediately. Ranger Bobby loved him.
When we got back to the Ranger station, we noticed that our tour was actually rated "moderate" difficulty. It made sense considering the number of stairs and the tight spaces, but I was surprised the three of us were able to do it. I really enjoyed the tour, but I don't think caving will ever become part of my soul. The truth is, I am slightly claustrophobic. Looking at some pictures of the more advanced tours and activities makes me shiver (the Womb Room, anyone?).
On Thursday, we walked down to the historic entrance of the cave. That was really interesting not just because we saw a doe just hanging out by the path, but because it was so incredibly hot outside and as we approached the cave entrance, the temperature plummeted from the high 80s to the mid 50s.
We explored the park a little more (we had a good laugh at Little Hope Cemetery) and enjoyed some of the hiking paths. We also explored Cave City, a run-down tourist trap just outside the park. There's a crappy little mini-golf place and haunted house at the top of a steep hill. We went up there to do something Dominic would love. The mini-golf was inside a sweltering shack all painted up in neon colors and lit with black lights. Dominic loved it and it was cheap enough that Justin and I didn't mind. We also bought tickets for the haunted house. We all noticed the big black and white NO REFUNDS sign as we walked up to the house, but we just assumed it sucked. We weren't aware that the inside was pitch black in one section and completely impassable. We had to turn around and go back the way we came. I knew I wouldn't get my money back, so I decided to go in through the exit and see how far I could go before the lights went out again. Dominic got excited and ran ahead of me. He only made it around the first corner before the whole thing lit up, a werewolf jumped out at him, and a loud buzzer went off. It startled me pretty bad, but Dominic screamed long and loud, hands waving in the air to ward off anything coming at him. I moved out of the way so he could bolt, but by the time he got done screaming, I was laughing too hard to let him by. We couldn't get him back into the haunted house, so we just left. That laugh was worth the price of admission!
We needed to drive 10 miles to Glasgow to eat, but we stumbled across a couple decent restaurants and one incredibly good barbecue joint. Everyone was really nice and always found me alternatives to the potato dishes that everyone loves.
I came back feeling really motivated to visit my local national park more often. I've been checking out their website and they have tons of activities for kids.
I was feeling really good yesterday and this morning, but since then I've been checking my email and Facebook and my mood has just plummeted. I think social networking, specifically Facebook, is causing me mild depression. While I really like being able to share ideas and pictures with my family so easily, I really don't enjoy the stupid pictures and ill-thought-out political opinions and the web of people I'd rather not be in touch with being able to reach me so easily. I'm considering paring down my account to just my immediate family and a few select close friends I was in touch with before Facebook. For now I think I'll just keep my Facebook time to a minimum and see how I feel.
We went to Mammoth Cave first thing Wednesday morning to sign up for a cave tour. The tours come in three levels of difficulty, easy, moderate, and strenuous. We were looking for easy tours, so we picked one out and got in line to sign up. Just as we got to the window, the tour we had in mind sold out, so we chose a different one, the "new entrance" tour. They assured us that children of all ages go on that tour, so we paid our fee and got on the bus. Ranger Bobby, our tour guide, warned us that there were many stairs and there would be a few tight squeezes. He said we'd all fit, but if any of us had claustrophobia, we'd want to rethink the tour.
The New Entrance tour took us through three different cave types: Living, Dormant, and Dying. As we descended over 500 stairs into the cave, we noticed dripping water and small puddles along the sides. They weren't kidding when they said there were some tight squeezes. I had to contort into weird shapes to get through a couple of places. I got a few pictures, but I still can't seem to get them off my phone.
The second cave was the stagnant cave. This one was much wider and taller and dryer. We sat down in a large cavern and the ranger shut off all the lights. With the complete absence of light, the sound of breathing became incredibly loud and all of the adults immediately held their breath. After several seconds, the ranger lit a BIC lighter and we were surprised to notice how far that tiny flame threw light.
The last cave was the dying cave. Water came through slowly and formed stalactites and stalagmites that will eventually make the cave impassable. For now, though, we can still see the amazing stone formations. I got some pictures of Frozen Niagara, the Drapery Room, and Crystal Lake.
Dominic was amazing on the tour. He kept up beautifully and followed directions immediately. Ranger Bobby loved him.
When we got back to the Ranger station, we noticed that our tour was actually rated "moderate" difficulty. It made sense considering the number of stairs and the tight spaces, but I was surprised the three of us were able to do it. I really enjoyed the tour, but I don't think caving will ever become part of my soul. The truth is, I am slightly claustrophobic. Looking at some pictures of the more advanced tours and activities makes me shiver (the Womb Room, anyone?).
On Thursday, we walked down to the historic entrance of the cave. That was really interesting not just because we saw a doe just hanging out by the path, but because it was so incredibly hot outside and as we approached the cave entrance, the temperature plummeted from the high 80s to the mid 50s.
We explored the park a little more (we had a good laugh at Little Hope Cemetery) and enjoyed some of the hiking paths. We also explored Cave City, a run-down tourist trap just outside the park. There's a crappy little mini-golf place and haunted house at the top of a steep hill. We went up there to do something Dominic would love. The mini-golf was inside a sweltering shack all painted up in neon colors and lit with black lights. Dominic loved it and it was cheap enough that Justin and I didn't mind. We also bought tickets for the haunted house. We all noticed the big black and white NO REFUNDS sign as we walked up to the house, but we just assumed it sucked. We weren't aware that the inside was pitch black in one section and completely impassable. We had to turn around and go back the way we came. I knew I wouldn't get my money back, so I decided to go in through the exit and see how far I could go before the lights went out again. Dominic got excited and ran ahead of me. He only made it around the first corner before the whole thing lit up, a werewolf jumped out at him, and a loud buzzer went off. It startled me pretty bad, but Dominic screamed long and loud, hands waving in the air to ward off anything coming at him. I moved out of the way so he could bolt, but by the time he got done screaming, I was laughing too hard to let him by. We couldn't get him back into the haunted house, so we just left. That laugh was worth the price of admission!
We needed to drive 10 miles to Glasgow to eat, but we stumbled across a couple decent restaurants and one incredibly good barbecue joint. Everyone was really nice and always found me alternatives to the potato dishes that everyone loves.
I came back feeling really motivated to visit my local national park more often. I've been checking out their website and they have tons of activities for kids.
I was feeling really good yesterday and this morning, but since then I've been checking my email and Facebook and my mood has just plummeted. I think social networking, specifically Facebook, is causing me mild depression. While I really like being able to share ideas and pictures with my family so easily, I really don't enjoy the stupid pictures and ill-thought-out political opinions and the web of people I'd rather not be in touch with being able to reach me so easily. I'm considering paring down my account to just my immediate family and a few select close friends I was in touch with before Facebook. For now I think I'll just keep my Facebook time to a minimum and see how I feel.
no subject
Date: 2012-06-19 12:30 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-06-19 03:12 am (UTC)I very rarely go on Facebook. I don't see the appeal at all and I keep in touch with the people I want to via email anyway.