Mammoth Cave National Park

Mammoth doesn't seem to do the place justice.  Synonyms for mammoth are: gigantic, enormous, huge, immensely large...none of them capture the what 400+ miles of underground caves looks and feels like.  They just can't.

These caves are in the middle of nowhere Kentucky, the Rangers will confirm that before you head out on a tour.  If you get injured they want you to be well aware that it will be HOURS before you get to what they call a "good" hospital.  Also, for those of you interested in going, I bought our tickets weeks in advance and some of the tours I wanted to choose were already sold out.  When we arrived at the park at 10 this morning almost all of the tours were sold out - so you need to plan ahead.  There were 120 people on our tour and that tour runs about 6 times a day!!!!  The place is THAT popular.

Okay.  Enough words.  Pictures.  We did two tours.  The Historic Tour (2 hours , 2 miles - moderate difficulty - about 500 steps) and the Drips and Domes Tour (also about 2 hours, only 3/4 of a mile, but strenuous, 500 steep steps).

Entrance to the Historic Tour.
Some 4000 years ago Woodland Natives found this entrance in nature and collected minerals here.

It was about 50-55 degrees in the caves.  It was DELIGHTFUL.

This tour was pretty much sight after sight like this.  We traversed a "bottomless pit" and something called "Fat Man's Misery."  Let's just say it was tight, but we all made it through. :)

In between the tours there are trails to walk around, a cafe to grab lunch, and a camp store that sells ice cold slushies.  We enjoyed all three.

If there's a tree to climb, Liam will find it....

Next was the Drips and Domes Tour.  We had to take a 10 minute bus ride to the complete other side of the caves to get to the entrance.  This tour had some pretty amazing formations...

This one is called "Frozen Niagara" and it's pretty famous.

Never a dull moment and the tour guides always had interesting bits to share.  We never stopped moving...so to say we are tired right now would be an understatement.

If you have not taken advantage of the Junior Ranger programs at your National Parks, you are missing out.  Finn had to earn "9 bats" in his Ranger booklet to become a Junior Ranger.  We had fun choosing and completing the activity.  Later he was "sworn in" by an official ranger and given a pin and a certificate. He did ask the ranger if he could have her hat...for once in his life, he was denied.

If you can find a picture of me with a prouder mama face, I'll give you a hundred bucks.  Seriously, I'm such a nerdy dork.

My proud little ranger...

Leaving the park after a fan-tab-ulous day...

We have accomplished what we set out to do.  City Museum and Mammoth Caves.  We couldn't be happier.  The kids were thoroughly pleased and impressed - which, truth be told, isn't an easy feat when we're competing with screens and tech every minute of the day.  Turns out an RV and amazing places can still woo young people....tomorrow is a "free" day in Kentucky.  Not sure what we are going to do with it, but you can bet it will be something fun.  

I would like to part with this...if there is some place out there that you have heard is fun or cool, start making your plan to go there.  I started planning this trip a year ago.  Saving money, making reservations, budgeting gas, mileage, etc.  Greece or Australia might not be attainable at the moment, but, there are amazing places you can drive, bus, or take a train to.  Get out there and DO IT.  And do it with a friend!!!  It is the AWESOMEST!!!