As Bridget said, typing on the same post as the pics is giving us trouble. If you backspace to erase a letter, and any part of the photo is on the same line, it erases the photo. Not very user friendly!! So from now on we are going to publish pics as we take them and do the written part at the end of the day.
The caves were cool! There is (so far) over 400 miles of cave and we are still discovering. The Mammoth caves supplied over 50% of the salt peter for gun powder during the war of 1812. Slaves worked in the caves for 12 hour shifts around the clock. At one point we were guided by only an oil lamp to show how it looked and felt in the caves before more modern forms of lighting. Numerous animals have adapted to the environment and most live at the water table level. Scorpions and fish with no eyes ( don't need 'em if you can't see anyway!) and translucent skin so you can see their organs were an amazing sight. The caves average 2-8 million years in age. There are Native American etchings on the cave walls in spots dating back about 2000 yrs. Modern discovery occurred early 1800's and tours started in 1816. Mammoth caves became a national park in 1941.
As Bridget mentioned we emerged to a downpour so spent the time waiting for the rain to stop perusing the Visitor center films and exhibits. Very intriguing place. Glad we made the trip. It's about a
1-1/2 drive from Nashville... More later :))
Loving all the historical tidbits. :)
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