On the Move, Again

After drying out from our drowned rat days in NOVA, we headed out to Mammoth Cave National Park. Our first night in the park was a bit more crowded than we were anticipating for a Sunday evening in October. Columbus Day holiday. Oh, and Kentucky schools get a fall break. But a lot of folks cleared out Monday afternoon, and by Tuesday, we were running pretty free and clear, with just a few other campers. By this weekend, though, we're back to a full campground. Thank goodness most of our fellow campers are headed back to their non-camping lives tomorrow.

Domes and Dripstones Tour

We spent a lot of time trying to figure out which tour to take. There's a wide range of tours offered, so we read up on all of them and then checked with a ranger. NPS' website says to get a ticket the day before, and most of the tours sell out. Even with that warning, we ran into people who came in the visitor's center in the afternoon looking for a tour for that day. Upsetting for them, to say the least, especially since it was their only day in the park. At any rate, we decided upon the Domes and Dripstones Tour. Turns out, I can't go with a crowd. This is a HUGE tour, with about 118 people allowed to go along with the rangers, bringing the total to 120. I had to bust through the crowd and exit the cave and chill out with Ranger John for a few minutes. After gathering myself, we went back in, and as long as I hung back and didn't rush into the cramped spaces, I was cool. But, my oh my, those cramped spots are CRAMPED. Such a good tour, and I'm glad I forced myself back into the cave. It did take us about 10 minutes to get down the windy and cramped stairs entrance. Ranger John told me the guys who discovered the cave came down on ropes and it took them 10 days to get to the big room. I don't think my destiny is to be a caver.

Mammoth Passages

We were fortunate enough to work in a second tour, Mammoth Passages. The entrance to this one is much larger, never having a cramped and winding entrance. Thank goodness. After two days of climbing and walking a couple miles, I was feeling my heretofore lack of exercise. It was good for me. I need to get my butt in gear and exercise more. After the tour, we continued down the trail to the River Styx stream. NB and I then went to Echo River stream and then to the campsite. He and I ended up hiking about three miles that afternoon. We were HOT when we returned to camp.

Cool Roots

NB and I got to see some truly cool roots. We also got to see a small entrance into the cave. Did NOT go through the creek into the cave. But we did talk to a gentleman who moved to the area 24 years ago to explore the cave, and he sounded like he has used the creek to enter the cave.

Junior Ranger

We have loved the Junior Ranger program from the NPS (and some states, too!) since we took our big trip four years ago.  I was actually introduced to it five years ago when G and I helped my parents move to CO.  We stopped at the Petrified Forest National Park, picked up the booklet, and set to work.  The kids have gotten badges or patches at a variety of parks/monuments/recreation areas.  Now the NPS is celebrating their 100th anniversary.  Yeah!!!  And to commemorate this, our National Parks have a special booklet to earn a 100 year patch.  This activity booklet can be downloaded and worked on at home or at a park.  It's all color, very intense in its color usage, so I'm thinking we're going to head to Rocky Mountain National Park and hit up a visitor's center.

If you've never done the Junior Ranger program, it's such a great way to get the kids (and adults) to pay more attention to the park they visit.  When we did our one at RMNP, we actually did it with my Cub Scout den after our campout.  The booklet had the boys paying attention to the wildlife, the vegetation, and the geology.  Typically the parks want you to attend a ranger talk, but not always.  At the end, before they can get their badge or patch, the kids have to take an oath to help protect the park.  It's just such a great way to get the kids more connected to the park and the outside.

And speaking of connecting...this year we get to connect free because K was in 4th grade this school year that just finished up.  I love the idea of getting every kid in a park.  I'm hoping the program continues, because NB is heading into 4th this year.  It's not a huge expense, compared to many others on our journey this year, but I'll take advantage if the opportunity is there!