{"id":1940,"date":"2016-06-12T22:32:13","date_gmt":"2016-06-12T22:32:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/?p=1940"},"modified":"2016-06-19T11:23:59","modified_gmt":"2016-06-19T11:23:59","slug":"cool-cave","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thewachs.com\/wachsacrossamerica\/2016\/06\/12\/cool-cave\/","title":{"rendered":"Cool cave"},"content":{"rendered":"

When I worked at Cave of the Winds in Colorado Springs (well, Manitou Springs to be exact) it seemed like there were always people who would compare us to Mammoth cave in Kentucky. \u00a0It was always something about how small our cave was compared to Mammoth. \u00a0So naturally I was excited to finally see this cave with my very own eyes. \u00a0And it was still bloody hot out so the 54 degree cave sounded pretty awesome. \u00a0I booked us a tour at 10:00am for the Domes and Dripstones tour which started with a bus ride to a different entrance to the cave.
\n\"The<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

They allow up to 114 people on the tour and I think it was pretty close to that actually. \u00a0Actually, speaking of actually, our tour guide actually used the word actually more than any other word actually. \u00a0It was actually very annoying and yet amusing at the same time actually.<\/p>\n

We were greeted at the door by some HUGE spiders which gave Brielle the heeby jeebies…but she toughed it out. \u00a0You decend hundreds of stairs into the cave. \u00a0There are not many formations but the vertical extent of the shafts you are in are impressive as are the stairs themselves….I can’t imagine building them. \u00a0We stopped in a few different bigger rooms for the tour guide to give a bit of history and geology before we ended at the highlight of the tour, Frozen Niagara. \u00a0It was a pretty big piece of flowstone. \u00a0There were a few other decorations in this very active area of the cave but that was about it.<\/p>\n

The tour was fine but not outstanding. \u00a0The groups are way too big for my taste. \u00a0If you got stuck near the back of the group you’d miss out on a lot of what was said because Miss Actually actually started talking before the whole group had arrived. \u00a0It felt very rushed and impersonal. \u00a0Plus we probably spoiled our appetite by going to Carlsbad Caverns<\/a> and Sonora Caverns<\/a>. \u00a0Both are impressive because of the numerous\u00a0and\u00a0wonderful decorations and Carlsbad is even more epic due to its size. \u00a0I think much of Mammoth’s impressiveness comes from its extent….over 300 miles of passageways. \u00a0They have quite a few different tours that let you see a small fraction of the entire system but its hard to appreciate something you cannot see. \u00a0Don’t get me wrong, it is a beautiful \u00a0cave and I loved getting to visit it…but I had higher expectations.<\/p>\n

After the tour we ate a picnic lunch and the kids worked on their Jr Ranger badges. \u00a0Ranger Emily did a great job asking the kids questions and complimenting their work. \u00a0I had planned on the boys wanting to do one of the other tours but when I asked they did not express much interest. \u00a0They too were a bit disappointed but I thought for sure Dacen would want to go. \u00a0We all took a stroll down to the natural entrance. \u00a0It was crazy hot and humid outside and then you turn the corner and there is this cool (almost feels cold) 54 degree air that hits you…its a pretty crazy feeling.<\/p>\n

We went back to the campground and the kids traded in Chicken Run<\/em> for the Apple Dumpling Gang<\/em>. \u00a0It\u00a0was good clean family fun and a good way to wind down after a day out in the heat.<\/p>\n

\"\"

Here we are<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Waiting for tour<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

The bus<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Bus ride to entrance<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Tourists<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Lining up at cave entrance<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Man made entrance<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Decorations<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Frozen Niagara<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Columns<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

White nose syndrome cleaning station<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Clean shoes<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Picnic lunch<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Working<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Jr Rangers<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Waiting<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Natural entrance<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Outside natural entrance<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Inside natural entrance<\/p><\/div>

\"\"

Water at entrance<\/p><\/div><\/div>