Part 12 here
As you have probably figured out, today will be the cave exploration day. We saw a lot of different types of caves for the last several years, some of them had smooth concrete floor and others were very rocky with tiny paths between rocks. Some had lights and others were very, very dark. We were in lava tubes and in the cave with natural light. But today’s cave is unique. Because we can ride boat inside it!
That’s why after breakfast we were heading to the Penn’s Cave in Pennsylvania.
All that today is around us, was a ocean bottom millions of years ago. The limestone was formed by the sedimentary process of mud layer upon mud layer hardening into rock. When African and European continents collided, the Appalachians started to formed, and ocean receded. Small cavities and channels were formed between rock layers by acid ground water. At that time all cave was under the water. later the water table dropped and part pf the cave was left above the water. A sinkhole was formed, exposing the cave to the outside.
Geologists estimate that Penn’s Cave formations originated more than 30 million years ago. The water source is the underground spring and we even saw the fish there!
When the cave was discovered, there were found numerous arrowheads, pottery and beads, that American Indian tribes had left there. Originally there were two entrance to the cave, one called “Dry Cave”, rocks collided and there is no water in the Dry Cave entrance. Later, in 1927 the third entrance was made, to permit boat trips to emerge from the cavern onto Lake Nittanee. Engineers that made the third entrance, made it zigzag, so the sun light and warm air doesn’t disturb the cave natural existence.
While we were waiting for our tour to start, kids played in the maze. Pavlik set a new record.
Fish live in the cavern
“Statue of Liberty” that appeared in the cave
Statue of Buddha
Cave’s heart
We swam through the cave
And going back to the cave
In the gift shop
After Penn’s Cave we went to another very unusual one, named Ice Cave. The uniqueness of that cave is that you can see Ice there during the summer months, but nothing during winter time. That cave is man made – the settlers were looking for silver and made that hole, but stopped the work in it because of winter. When they came in the summer, they found out that it was full of ice.
Scientists don’t know the reason yet why that happening. In 2014 they installed sensors inside that measure temperature and humidity every hour.
I was the driver and everyone fall asleep and missed all that curves and serpentines
The natural refrigerator
Pennsylvania is very green state. I bet it is very beautiful in the fall when foliage becomes colorful.
And in just before the sunset we came to the New York state.
Part 14 here