Wandering Out WestyAdventure is Out There!

Wind Cave NP to Denver, CO

 Waking up to a light breeze flowing over the prairie grasses, a storm was expected to pass through. But we didn’t mind because today’s adventure was taking us below the surface of the Earth. We headed out to Wind Cave National Park and reserved two places on the Fairgrounds Cave Tour: a one and a half hour trip through the natural wonders below the grasslands. We headed out on a trail to the cave’s only know natural entrance, many have believed this place to be spiritual because the air that escapes the earth in this crack crates a constant wind coming from under ground. This wind makes a rushing sound and was the reason a young boy, Alvin McDonald, became curious about the caves in 1890. He entered the crevice with only candle light, and would report his explorations and map his findings  in his journal which later lead the park’s service to discover more about the current day cave. Over 130 miles of underground labyrinth have been discovered, but that is less then half of the expected size of the actual cave! Feeling confident and excited we headed into the elevator that took us down farther into the Earth with our ranger guide and co-explorers. The caverns were dimly lit and chilly as the trail path lead from “room” to “room” of extraordinary rock formations on the walls and ceilings. Boxwork formations are the most prevalent in the wind cave, because of the lack of moisture there are no typical stalactites and stalagmites but instead an intricate display of sparkly, honeycomb shaped, paper thin boxwork, all over!! It is estimated that 95% of the world’s found boxwork is located in Wind Cave! Full of facts and fascinating views we continued along to a place built with stage like seating in the rock, here we stopped to experience the true and utter darkness that is the unexplored reality of this cave, and how many before, including Alvin, would have experienced it. Sitting in the pitch black, true pitch black, is unlike any other visual experience I’ve ever had. Your eyes try to adjust, try to pick up on any ounce of light they possibly can, but there is none, it’s wildly strange! When the lights came back on we continued the last stretch of the cave path to the exit, but unexpectedly the lights accidentally went out! Everyone froze in their steps and the ranger quickly reassured us as they radioed the desk back on the surface to turn on the generators! iPhones, and cameras, flash lights and head lamps, began to emerge out of day packs and purses as we all checked to be sure everyone was all right. When the generators kicked in, we headed out of the mystical cave, what an experience! Back in the hot sun, we found ourselves a bite to eat before hitting the road for 400 miles, destined for Denver, CO. On our way we stopped in at Chimney Rock National Historic Monument to view in awe the giant rock chimney crookedly protruding from the horizon. A childhood dream fulfilled to see the real chimney rock in the distance, having passed by it so many times in the virtual world of the Oregon Trail game. Further south we sailed to be caught by Mitch’s lovely sister Maura and a tasty Mexican feast in Colorado!