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Submitted by Cauldron Living member mateekez
Recently I had a chance to visit Mammoth Cave National Park located in Mammoth Cave, KY. *It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. There was ancient tree's everywhere! The park was established on July 1, 1941 to protect the 365 miles of caves beneath. The oldest part of the cave began forming over 10 million years ago. Inside the park there are over 700 endangered animals. *Mammoth Cave is the world's longest known cave. In fact it is so long that if the second and third longest caves in the world were joined together, Mammoth Cave would still be the planet's longest cave and have over 100 miles left over!
* They have tours that are available all year long, the tours began in 1861! I had a chance to go on the Frozen Niagara tour.....I'll never forget it! At one point in the tour we were 250 ft below sea level! Our tour guide showed us how powerful one light can be....he told us to close our eyes, we did, and he shut off all the power in the cavern we were in....When we opened our eyes it was pitch black. We couldn't even see our hand when it was on our face! Then he lit a single taper candle and it lit up the ENTIRE room! If anyone likes cave tours I highly suggest this place! The tours vary in price, but its well worth it!
For info on Mammoth Cave Park.
Editor's Note: Here are some additional information about Mammoth Cave National Park. The park is located about 50 miles northeast of Bowling Green, Kentucky. Admission to the park is free. Cave tours are available for adults from $4 to $46 (children $2.50-$18 ). Reservations are recommended (800-967-2283). The visitor center is open daily, except December 25. There are about 360 miles of underground passages on five different levels that have been explored or mapped so far. *The park features many highlights including the mysterious sinkholes, the subterranean waterfalls, the delicate gypsum cave formations, Echo River and Bottomless Pit. Activities at the park include Ranger-led cave tours, nature walks, children's exploration program, fishing and horseback riding, Green River boat trips, bicycling, and backpacking.
The park, including the caves, are said to be haunted. There are many tragic events that have occurred there to give believable reasons for spirits to roam the area. Floyd Collins was trapped under a fallen rock for 18 days before succumbing to his injuries, while family, neighbors, rescuers, and gawkers looked on. *Another ghost named Melissa may be a girl who led a man she loved deep into the caves. She was upset that his attentions were turned to another. Intending to just play a prank of sorts, she led him on a tour of the caves she knew so well and left him. He was never seen again. She returned often to the caves desperately calling his name before she finally died from tuberculosis. Some visitors claim to hear a girl calling out as if looking for someone. Legend says that Stephen Bishop, the famous guide of Mammoth Cave who refused his freedom in order to stay in his beloved caves, walks the corridors. *In the graveyard of an old church in the park it is said that one can hear the haunting music of a coming from the gravesite of a violin player. The history of the area includes accidents from the days of the saltpeter operations, the caves were used as a hospital for tuberculosis victims, missing cave explorers, stranded travelers, and the list goes on. There are many scientists and skeptics that have reported such hauntings. Perhaps, when you are in the area, you should check it out yourself. The caves themselves will be worth the trip!
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