Exploring....

 

        We tried a little different kind of exploration this past Monday. 

        The occasion was Alex’s birthday and we wanted to do something that all three grandkids would remember… a friend who is renovating buildings at a Black Hills cave invited us for a tour and we knew the kids would love it and adults enjoy the adventure.  We were accompanied by our daughter, Alex’s mom.

        Our first sight of the cave opening was overwhelmed by the spectacular view of the scenery in the gulch below.  Spring in the Black Hills could not have a better portrayal!

    

        We were informed that this public entrance to the cave is man-made, which explained why it resembled a drift more than a cave!  We were soon into the natural cave area and immediately struck by the magnificent beauty of dog-tooth spar, calcite and flow stone covering floor to ceiling!

        Man-made concrete steps and a cleared pathway made navigating the cave safe and user-friendly.  The former public areas were lit, but we broke out the flashlights when we ventured further.

        Bob thought it would be fun to take a UV lamp into the cave.

        Evidence of man was present in the grafitti scrawled in many places, and areas of defacement dating back at least to the Chicago World’s Fair, as explained by our host who said the cave owners of that time had shipped quantities to re-create the cave for the fair.

        Bob was excited to see a small stranded example of angular breccia encased in dog-tooth spar in the lower portions of the cave.  We also thought we saw some quartz crystals.

        He also spooted a conglomerate, something our host had questions about. 

        Some notable features of the cave included a bridal veil falls,    bear’s den and president’s room, among numerous other caverns.

        We cannot begin to expound on all the beauties of the tour that concluded at a small “lakes” area.

        We estimate we toured a fraction of the cave, probably about ¼ to ½ mile of the possibly 4 miles of caverns.  Time and waning energy turned us back toward the entrance.

        We stopped at the lodge for a quick tour and refreshments, then turned the kids loose on a 60-foot climbing wall.  Harnessed up, Robey (10) climbed half way to the top before loosing his footing.  Zia (8) could climb about 5 feet but had a little trouble finding footing after that.  Alex just swung on the line and was satisfied with that!

        The day was complete with dinner, cake and gifts.  Happy birthday Alex!