We've decided that we can't spend another day off cooped up in the house, we have to get out and do something but when it is over 100 degrees what do you do? We threw ideas out to each other but all seemed too HOT!
We finally decided that we had to do something that would cool us off, give us something interesting to do and is relatively close by because it was already after noon. There was only one thing we could think of fit that criteria. We would go to a cave!
We packed up a small cooler and set out heading west on I-44.
With more than 5,000 known caves, there's little wonder Missouri boasts so many commercial show caves with colorful histories like Fantastic Caverns near Springfield, Marvel Cave in Silver Dollar City and Meramec Caverns near Stanton.
Another former show cave is now the centerpiece of a state park. Onondaga Cave, first toured by the public in 1897, became the property of cave showman Lester Dill who also owned Meramec Caverns. Dill wanted to see the Cave preserved and in 1982, two years after his death, Onondaga Cave State Park was dedicated.
On the way to the cave we noticed that even the horses were trying to stay out of the heat of the sun.
It didn't take us long before we reached the Onondaga State Park and we were both looking forward to getting inside that cave. Not for its natural beauty or the history of it but because of the constant 57 degree temperature!
In the 1920s two different land owners claimed different parts of the cave and even blocked cave passages with barbed-wire fences. Their lawsuit went to the state's highest court which ruled that property lines actually extend below ground.
We signed up for a tour as soon as we arrived but we had about a twenty minute wait. We used that time to go through the gift shop and look at displays about days gone by.
Soon it was time to join our group for a short movie about the history of the cave. While the movie was interesting the room we were in was warm and we were all getting antsy to get the show on the road. At the conclusion of the movie we were led to a small room which they called the airlock room. Once we were all in there the outer door was closed and finally we were allowed to enter the cave. As soon as that inner door opened we could feel the cool air that was ours to enjoy for the next hour or so. And enjoy it we did! Fifty seven cool degrees.
After a short walk we were led into a huge room in the cave. This room measures 80 feet high, 125 feet wide and 425 feet in length. There was a stalagtite hanging from the ceiling and the tour guide asked us to guess how long it was. We heard answers from 2 feet to 3 and a half feet. Our guesses were right in line with the others. We were surprised to find out that it was actually 7 feet long. The guide did this little excercise to show us that things can be deceiving when the ceiling of the room you are in is 80 feet rather than the standard 8. When she told us the width vs length measurements, we again were all surprised. Especially when she referenced that a football field wasn't as big as this room. That really put it in perspective.
The formations in the following pictures took millions of years to form. (same formations, just different shots of them)
This formation is 14 feet tall.
I think we both expected this cave to be much like the Meramec Caverns that we visited. It isn't, this is a living cave which means that it is still growing.
The lighting isn't as good as it was in the Meramec Caverns although the pathways are all paved and for the most part dry. There is a stream that runs through it also.
More shots of the interior.
The soil under the cave is clay and many years ago during a flood the clay compacted even more and the formations "broke" apart. Take notice of the center section of the following picture, you can see the "break".
Another great formation....
This next picture is one of "flowstone". Don't ask,,,,,I don't remember.
In 1904 the World's Fair was held in St. Louis and trains brought visitors to the then un-named cave as a side trip. A contest was held to "Name the Cave". Lots of entries were handed in and it was soon narrowed down to three, Onondaga being one of them. The name was chosen by Myrtle Land, the eleven year old daughter of a local judge. She picked this one because she "liked the sound of it".We finally made our way into the Lily Pad room. How these lily pads form is too complicated for me to explain here, even if I could!
All too soon our time was up in this delightfully cool haven and we had to once again face the soaring temperatures outside, it was 105 degrees according to the bank sign. It was the strangest feeling when we went outside, our skin was cool to the touch (for a very short time, believe me) and yet we were sweating at the same time. I had never had that sensation before and knowing what I have to go through to get it its one I can do without.
Here's a picture of the flowers outside the building entrance to the cave. They are feeling the heat too!
The poor things were drooping badly from lack of water and the searing heat. We haven't had rain in weeks now.
On our way home I took this picture of a field to show how brown everything is.
So this is how we spent our afternoon.
We got home to the ever running A/C and stayed put, just watching TV, reading and spending time on our computers. Too hot to do anything else.
1 comment:
how long was the tour? I've seen 1.5 hrs written on some sites .. Meramec seems to be a loot as it was just around 30 mins tour .. i maybe off on the time but it was real real short. I was like "that's it?"
Post a Comment