Corvettes and Caves

Let me get my moaning and groaning over first. I needed a new card for my older camera and I took it into Lamberts restaurant and couldn't get it calibrated. I went out and got the new camera Don got me for Christmas. As I told you all I did lousy with that one too. Anyway, a week later I realized, with Don's help that I left my old camera in the Restaurant. I've been calling but I'm afraid it is gone for good. One Blessing was I had taken out the old card and so didn't lose any pictures. I'm still not as good with the new camera, especially indoors, but with some long distance help from Jim I am feeling much more confident. I might not be Ansel Adams, but I am having fun.
After spending the night in Bowling Green, we went to the Corvette Museum. Junior and Don had the most fun, but I have to admit, they are beautiful cars. Junior learned how cars are put together and what seats look like inside.  We were followed by an Amish man but Cmor outran him.
We went to Mammoth Cave National Park and made reservations for two tours the next day. After looking at our choices, I couldn't decide and so we booked two. I didn't want it too easy but not too hard either.  We continued on to Springfield and the last (?) of our Lincoln stop. Beautiful park, honoring his birthplace. 56 stairs, representing each year of his life led up to a simple but beautiful building. Jr. was exhausted when he finally reached the top. Inside was a replica of his log cabin. Very small. 16 windows, and 16 rosettes in the ceiling for our 16th president. Hiked around the property and down to the small stream at the bottom of the hill that the Lincolns used. With that big marble building on the top of the hill, surely the Lincolns could have afforded plumbing.

Next day, back to Mammoth. The caves are amazing. Our first at 9:30 was the Historic Tour. Two hours, two miles. 440 stairs, including 155 at Mammoth dome. Lots of bending and stooping and squeezing. One section was called Fat Man's Misery. It was a low, wiggly, narrow area that was really fun. Not a good place for  a tall person. Most of my pictures did not really work. Flash is useless if not close.Hiked down to the river and saw the stream where it exits the caves. We went back to Cmor for lunch and then off to the Visitor Center and ABC. But this museum had metal
casts of the cave layers showing how they crossed over each other. Other cutaway views of layers.
Next hike at 1:30 was the New Entrance. We rode a bus to the otherside of the park for this one. Two hours but only 3/4 of a mile. Lots of stairs, immediately as you entered the cave through a locked door. 500 stairs, with 280 on the initial descent. The hike took so long because we were always waiting for people. Don and I were usually near the front and I have to admit, I did get frustrated with people. Why would you take little children that were frightened and had to be carried? And there were elderly (even older than us) that had to be helped, canes/walking sticks. Some were obviously having trouble breathing. Before each hike, the rangers read a list of the stairs and size of the tunnels, cautioned about breathing problems, fear of small places, warned of having to walk crouched over and lots of other issues. Well, I did say a prayer of thanks that we were able to do it this time and everyone made it out safely. Almost forgot to mention, my flash is exhausted sign came on just as we got to the Frozen Niagara section of the tour that was included. Of course that area was close and if I hadn't been so stubborn (first time in my life) I would have had flash left and could have taken pictures. As we exited each cave, we had to walk across specially treated mats to remove any traces of the fungus that causes white nose syndrome in bats across the US and Canada. It has killed millions of hibernating bats. They do not want it spread. We heard about it in other states. Our last short hike was to the Cave Guide Cemetary. Stephen Bishop not only had to spend his life as a slave, he was forced to basically live underground guiding tourist. He is credited with discovering a large amount of the caves. What horrible lives those poor people had. At least now he is recognized for the great things he did.   Okay, It is getting dark, and I am sitting here in camp. perched on the edge of our little creek and the bugs have discovered me. Time to go into my cozy shell. I may try to do more later if I have the energy. I really need to catch up. Don and I have decided our favorite state so far as regards to beauty is Kentucky. We have never seen so much green, lush mountains and incredibly friendly people, with one exception. That's another story and when Don was finished, I don't think he is working there anymore anyway. Hugs, Donna