Kentucky was not originally part of our planned journey. We intended to be in South Carolina for Marine graduation on Parris Island. However, nearly every RV park that we called was full due to the pipeline work in the area. The final straw was hurricane Florence. For those reasons, we changed our plans to Kentucky.

 

Our first stop, a short stay near Daniel Boone Forest for some hiking.

Then off to Mammoth Cave National Park.

Mammoth Cave got its name because the caves are mammoth in nature. We went on three tours while here and loved learning about the history of the park.

The first tour we took was a small tour by lantern light only. This is how the early American visitors would have explored the cave. Spooky, but appropriate for Halloween time.

The next tour we took featured more of the geological features that are common with caves, like stalactites and stalagmites. However, I think if you want to see features like this, go to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. You can view our photos from our trip to Carlsbad here.

Our final tour was fascinating providing hundreds of examples of visitor experiences still visible today, from the multitude of nineteenth-century candle-written signatures to the dozens and dozens of stone monuments left behind by visitors nearly 200 years ago.

Although, not terribly clear, the pictures below show remnants of a gun powder factory that existed in the cave during The War of 1812. Not only has the cave been a factory, it has served as a hospital, church, and finally a national treasure.

 

Next stop, Louisville and the Breeders’ Cup.