Mammoth Cave: One of the Most Beautiful in Our National Park System
Directly south of Louisville, just off Interstate 65 and not far from Cave City, Mammoth Cave National Park sits nestled in the rolling, wooded hills of west-central Kentucky. Cedar trees dominate the landscape around the park, broken only by grazing cattle, small tobacco fields, and immense limestone outcroppings.
Limestone is what makes this area special-a 600-foot thick slab of the stuff. Looking at the many road-cuts along the highway, one can see the layers, each possessing its own characteristics and each named after the location where these characteristics were identified: St. Genevieve, St. Louis, Paoli, Aux Vases, Karnak. Each layer is incredibly older than its sibling just above. And limestone is where Kentucky caves are formed.
Once inside the park, the scenery changes from touristy to natural beauty. Well-groomed roads with wide, grassy shoulders wind through deep forest. Whitetail deer browse the edges of ancient cemeteries and wild turkey are everywhere. Mammoth Cave is one of the most beautiful in our national park system. Sprawling over more than 52,000 acres (most of it dense hardwood forest) the park features a diverse community of plants and wildlife; from the smallest insects, to birds, to aquatic life, to cave life. It is home to dozens of endangered or threatened species.
In spite of hosting two million visitors a year, the roads through Mammoth Cave National Park are surprisingly free of traffic. But near the visitor center, there is a constant bustle of activity, where campers, picnickers, and cave tourists crowd through the visitor center and ticket office. Every few minutes, loudspeakers announce the beginning of the next tour and groups of strangers form lines to become fellow travelers through a section of the cave.
During the summer, the park offers tours into several different entrances and family groups huddle around descriptive signs planning this portion of their summer vacation. The most popular is the Historic Tour. Starting every 40 minutes, over a hundred people herd through the historic section of the cave. The Lantern Tour, Frozen Niagara, and Half-Day tours are sold out every day throughout the tourist season. Occasionally the park gives tours into Great Onyx Cave, but those arriving too late in the day, or those that choose not to go on a guided tour can opt for the Discovery tour - a self guided walk through the historic section near the entrance.
Of the hundreds of caves that pock the hills and valleys of the park, many are worthy of the tourist dollar. Crystal Cave, Colossal, Bedquilt, Lee, White, and others-now, all gated. The park no longer shows these caves. And when hiking the 73 miles of surface trails in the park, one must be mindful to stay on the established trails. Poking around in one of the little caves along the way is strictly forbidden. There are plenty of tours to keep even the most adventurous of tourists busy.
Of all the parks protected by our national park system, Mammoth Cave is certainly one of the most beautiful and one of the most popular. A great vacation destination.
Norm Rogers is the author of Underground Legacy, a Fellow of the National Speleological Society, and member of the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels. You can visit his website at http://www.normrogers.8m.com/
 Google News Updated : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:55:52 GMT Morgan Stanley Can't Please Everyone - Forbes
Forbes - Morgan Stanley and Mitsubishi UFJ Financial may have pleased investors, but they failed to reassure the ratings services. Morgan Stanley (nyse: MS - news - people ) shares surged more than 85.0% Monday after it received a $9.0 billion investment from ... Mitsubishi UFJ Gets Better Terms From Morgan Stanley (Update1) Fitch cuts Morgan Stanley's default ratings to 'A/F1' Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 03:40:53 GMT Vitamin D Supplementation Guidelines for Youngsters Doubled - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Amanda Gardner MONDAY, Oct. 13 (HealthDay News) -- The leading children's medical organization in the United States on Monday announced that it has doubled the amount of vitamin D recommended for infants, children and adolescents. Video: HealthWatch Vitamin D recommendation for kids is doubled Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:11:02 GMT Wildfires threaten LA homes; two people dead - Reuters
Reuters - By Steve Gorman and Alex Dobuzinskis LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Deadly wind-driven brush fires roared out of the foothills and canyons on the northern fringe of Los Angeles on Monday, destroying dozens of homes and threatening hundreds more dwellings. Video: LA Fire Officials Try to Get Ahead of Blazes REGION: Fire alert remains in effect Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 01:27:17 GMT Excess Drinking Shrinks the Brain - Washington Post
Washington Post - By Amanda Gardner MONDAY, Oct. 13 (HealthDay News) -- The more alcohol you drink, the more your brain shrinks, a new study has found. Study: Drinking alcohol associated with smaller brain volume Alcohol Consumption Can Shrink Your Brain Publ.Date : Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:09:07 GMT Canada's Harper May Face Similar Gridlock After Today's Vote - Bloomberg
Bloomberg - By Theophilos Argitis and Alexandre Deslongchamps Oct. 14 (Bloomberg) -- When Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper called today's election six weeks ago, he complained that opposition calls for more spending were putting the economy at risk, ... Rivals crisscross Canada ahead of elections Global turmoil dominates Canada election Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:37:49 GMT Michigan: Ruling on Voting Rights - New York Times New York Times - By AP A judge has ordered state election officials to stop automatically canceling a voter’s registration if the card is returned as undeliverable. Federal judge orders 1438 names restored to Michigan voter rolls Judge Says Mich. Policy Violated Voting Law Publ.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:05:24 GMT Same-Sex Marriage and the Rights of Citizenship - New York Times
New York Times - The Connecticut Supreme Court deserves praise for acknowledging, as other states that allow same-sex marriage have not, the constitutional principles that compelled the justices to guarantee all consenting adult Americans the right to enjoy the ... Gays rush to wed ahead of election  Comment by Evan Wolfson Executive Director, Freedom to MarryPubl.Date : Tue, 14 Oct 2008 04:41:27 GMT Increase Search Engine Traffic |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... You CAN grab something to eat, enjoy every bite, AND... Read More When it comes to birding, Acadia National Park is a... Read More How to get discount lift tickets for popular ski resorts... Read More Have you ever gone solo backpacking? If you have, you'll... Read More Do you think the only thing to do in Las... Read More When you look at a river, what do you see?... Read More Block Island is a seaside jewel lying 12 miles off... Read More Today Bookpleasures and Sketchandtravel are pleased to have as our... Read More Have you ever seen an authentic Japanese garden? Well, I... Read More So unknown is this treasure of Lake Jipe not many... Read More A rigid inflatable boat is defined as a hard-hulled boat... Read More Hiking shoes versus hiking boots? Hiking shoes win. Okay, next... Read More As any keen mountain biker will know, there are some... Read More I've been traveling and writing about places I believe others... Read More New experiences make me nervous, and I assume that holds... Read More Stay warm or die. That's what it comes down to... Read More Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120... Read More Paul Scott Mower once said, "There is nothing like walking... Read More Truly a small wonder, the eTrex takes the best features... Read More Contrary to what many think, ultralight backpacking is not just... Read More We've all heard about whalewatching from boats or shore, and... Read More Rafting through the Grand Canyon is the experience of a... Read More Drive along one of South Africa's scenic strips and you... Read More Tamil Nadu is a delightful anachronism. With a rich culture... Read More When you're on the Internet looking for discount camping gear,... Read More
Adsense
websites
How to Grab a Bite to Eat and Help the Planet
Bird Watching Mecca ? 338 Species At Acadia National Park
Discount Lift Tickets - Learn what Colorado Ski Resorts Do Not Want You to Know!
Solo Backpacking
Gambling Isnt the Only Thing to do in Las Vegas
Its an Alien World in Every River
Block Island ? Memorable Vacations Are Made of This
Amazing Trek Across TIbet!
Japanese Garden of Monaco
Lake Jipe straddling Tanzania and Kenya
Rigid Inflatable Boats
Hiking Shoes Versus Hiking Boots
Tips for Mountain Bikers in Spain
Visiting the Last Paradise on Earth ? Costa Rica
Crossing the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel with an RV
Stay Warm - A Backpacking Skill
Costa Rica: Land of Natural Wonders
Three Classic Hikes Abroad
Navigating on the Mountain, in Water, or in Woods there is an eTrex Unit For You
Ultralight Backpacking Versus Traditional Backpacking
Dancing With Whales
River Rafting in the Grand Canyon
The Cast of Culture in South Africa
Tamil Nadu ? A potpourri of culture and festivity
Be Sure to Buy the Best Discount Camping Gear Before Going on that Family Adventure
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Improving Your Aim
If your aim is not good, or is not quite... Read More
The Benefits of One Day Hiking Trips
Do you like to take one day hiking trips? Do... Read More
Tanzania Safari Top Five National Parks and Game Reserves
Ask about perfect wildlife destinations and a Tanzania safari will... Read More
On Safari in Northern Tanzania ? Back to The Sixth Day of the Creation
Tanzania's natural endowment as a wildlife safari destination is unrivalled.... Read More
Zambezi Sharks Under Threat at Protea Banks
Sharklife.co.za has been fighting an ongoing for the protection of... Read More
Solo Backpacking
Have you ever gone solo backpacking? If you have, you'll... Read More
Mammoth Cave: One of the Most Beautiful in Our National Park System
Directly south of Louisville, just off Interstate 65 and not... Read More
Boston Vacations: Four Ways To Experience Beantown
Boston is a great destination city for a vacation. There's... Read More
Kayak Travel and Trips
If you love the thrill and adventure of kayak travel,... Read More
Pigeon Forge Campgrounds
Campgrounds are a perfect Pigeon Forge lodging option for visitors... Read More
The Best Safari Company for Your Safari Trip - Heres How To Choose
Which is the best African safari company for my safari... Read More
7 Need to Know Campsite Cooking Strategies
Are you sick and tired of not knowing what to... Read More
Spanish Courses in Spain
Spain: sun, sea, sand and Spanish... discover us! Spain, a... Read More
Find a Camping Gear Outlet Near You
When you search online for a camping gear outlet you... Read More
PaintBall Gun Buying Tips
There are so many selections available when it comes to... Read More
Inflatable Pontoon Boats
Bryce Whitmore designed the modern whitewater inflatable pontoon boat, and... Read More
The Price of Gas Really Doesnt Matter!
"The good news is that there is no reason to... Read More
Solo Backpacking Tips
Solo backpacking means peace and quiet. No one to talk... Read More
A Hiking Guide to Easter Island
Ask me which Pacific island has the most to offer... Read More
Costa Rica: Land of Natural Wonders
Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120... Read More
What You Need to Know About - Camping Vacations
Camping is a delightful and adventurous way to spend your... Read More
Tent and Outdoor Gear Care and Repair
TENT CAREYou should seal all floor seams and those seams... Read More
Hiking Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park is the most popular park in... Read More
Greek Food
A meal in Greece is highlighted with a selection of... Read More
No Artificial Ingredients Indeed
Back from our family's vacation to Costa Rica, I am... Read More
Outdoors |