Mammoth Caves NP

 Hello again,

This morning after a leisurely breakfast, we visited the Mammoth Caves.  It is the longest cave system in the world, over 400 miles.  We walked through about two miles of it.  Because of COVID, the tours were self-guided and we were restricted as to areas of the cave we could visit.  Rather than the usual stalactites and stalagmites, we were treated to huge cavernous spaces.  

We appreciated having the rest of the day to relax as we don't get too many opportunities.  Plus the weather is glorious, 82 degrees.  Feels like summer again.  Tomorrow we head to Memphis where Ralph can finally have Memphis BBQ that he has been looking forward to the whole trip.  Supposed to rain all day tomorrow, all the more reason to enjoy the great weather today.

This is the cave entrance.  With COVID requirements, there were a lot fewer people in the cave and they took great care to space the timing of our entrance.

The caves are a great source of saltpeter.  They excavated more than 150 tons of it, enough to fire 23,000,000 cannon shots for the War of 1812.  This caused the cave to be publicized and become an attraction in 1816.

12 of these huts were built in the caverns to house people with tuberculosis as an experimental treatment.  What they didn't realize at the time was that dry heat was the best treatment and in the caverns it was cold and wet.  In addition, they lit fires to keep it warmer which made the air quality bad.  Unfortunately, people died there and they ended the experiment after five months.

Can't figure out why Ralph didn't smile for the camera.