Just a quick update for ya:
So, the next time I casually mention that I’m going to do a BB upgrade, someone please, please tell me to STOP!!!!! Seriously glad that I have learned the value of a regular backup (appreciative head tip to a longtime friend!)
Over it! Now on to something new….. 🙂
Have you been to the Luray Caverns in Virginia??
I have to say that this is one of the most amazing places I’ve visited – certainly in terms of caves. Mind you, being more than a little claustrophobic, I admit that caves are not generally at the top of my ‘Must Do’ list. But I was strong that day, folks, and the idea of the walls closing in wasn’t as overpowering as it has been in the past. Let me set the scene – It was a glorious spring day in Virginia. 80+ degrees and we were lounging by the pool with a cold one or two when we decided that the perfect place to be was underground in a cool, dark and damp cave. Of course! of course… makes sense to me…. Um, ‘scuse me – pool sounds good!
But my resistance was clearly lessened by the aforementioned cold one’s and off we went (ps, one of us had not had any ‘cold one’s’) through the beautiful Shenandoah Valley (yes, the one in the John Denver song!!)
to see the Caverns. Honestly, had I not gone, I would have missed one of the most spectacular sites within a day’s driving distance of my home that I could have imagined. This is definitely not the Bonnechere Caves, which is certainly much closer to home, but also definitely not the same kinda cave. Much less claustrophobia-friendly too, though I have made it through. Once. Only once.
The Luray Caverns are, in a word, Spectacular. Like nothing I’ve seen before. But then, the Shenandoah Valley has it’s own beauty and is definitely worth the drive/visit. Here is just a sample of the sights you will see if you get the chance to visit this amazing place, deep in the heart of the Shenandoah Valley.
The caves were originally discovered by some dude out for a walk in the hills who felt a breeze coming up from a quarter-sized hole in the ground. He dug down and “Bammo!” He found himself in an amazing cavern that just went on and on in the dark, seemingly without end. Imagine!!
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| Titania’s Veil |
Over the years that the site has been open to the public, the various and amazing features have been given names that reflect the colours and/or physical features of the formation. This one is very light in colouring, which reflects the various compounds that make up the feature, so they have named it “Titania’s Veil” ’cause it kinda calls to mind the image of a veil (guess that was obv…sorry.).
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| Mirror Lake – the ceiling is reflected in the pool below! |
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| Mirror Lake again. It’s too amazing for one pic! |
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| Just a big huge stelag(something) that I thought looked like the formations in the Grand Canyon/Arizona. |
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| A HUGE dripping stelactite!! |
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| They call this ‘drapery’ and it’s a pretty accurate description! |
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| There’s actually a path through this beauty! |
There is also a wide open space underground where they hold weddings and ping notes off of the various stelactites/stelagmites to play a tune. I have to say, that’s pretty cool.
The paths within the caverns are cobblestone and entirely walkable, though there is a large staircase you initially need to descend and then ascend at the end of a 1.5 mile walk through the caves so be warned!
This place is definitely worth the trip and the walk and time away-from-pool time! It’s truly an amazing place, and needs to be on anyone’s ‘Must Do’ list.
Hope you get the chance to go and enjoy it as much as we did!! It’s truly amazing what the world brings us. Namaste.
OnceAndAgainAnew 