Again, I was camping in a forest, listening to the song of birds. Beside me was a family with 3 young children who invited me to their campfire that night.They were delighted by some of my stories and taught me to make Smores, amazed that I didn't know what those were:
You toast a marshmallow over the fire, then squeeze it between 2 graham crackers on which there is a piece of chocolate and voila, a Smore! It's definitely sweet, and difficult to have only one!
You toast a marshmallow over the fire, then squeeze it between 2 graham crackers on which there is a piece of chocolate and voila, a Smore! It's definitely sweet, and difficult to have only one!
I was grateful to be able to share the experience with them.
The next day was Easter and I woke up to warm sun shining through my windows. I walked over to the Visitor's centre and learned about the cave.
The next day was Easter and I woke up to warm sun shining through my windows. I walked over to the Visitor's centre and learned about the cave.
Mammoth cave is the longest cave in the world (over twice as long as any known cave) and so far, 400 miles of it have been explored. Geologists think there could be as many as 600 more miles to be discovered!
The cave has been designated as a World Heritage Site and also the core area of an International Biosphere Reserve.
Many forms of life can be found in this cave, including insects, lizards, fish and bats. Because of living in darkness, the fish have no eyes or pigments. Bats have become endangered due to "White-Nosed Syndrome", a disease caused by a fungus, spreading throughout the eastern US. It is not harmful to humans and so far has not been found in Mammoth Cave but precautions are taken and visitors must walk on mats containing a cleansing fluid when leaving the cave.
Only a few miles of the cave have been developed for tours by installing low lights that are turned on and off by the guide , stairs in steep places, and a path.
Only a few miles of the cave have been developed for tours by installing low lights that are turned on and off by the guide , stairs in steep places, and a path.
Initially I wasn't sure if I would go on one of the tours, often feeling claustrophobic in small spaces. Then I thought this would be a safe way to face some of those fears and I signed up for a 2hr, 2mi tour. I mentioned my concerns to the guide and he suggested I walk near him. He told me that with fears of claustrophobia, it's really not about being in a small space that's the problem but rather, the fear of not being able to get out.
 |
| Entrance to Mammoth Cave |
The entrance and initial cavern were quite large and the way was lit as our group of about 150 people walked along a path, another guide bringing up the rear. The various rock formations were incredible and beautiful.
In some places on the ceiling, you could see names printed by early explorers. They would tie a lit candle to a long stick to make the small smudges forming the letters.
The guide informed us of the 300ft change in elevation on
this tour as we were walking across a grid over "The Bottomless Pit". He shone his flashlight showing us water far below.
As we progressed to deeper levels, I became quite uncomfortable, remembering to take slow deep breaths and reminding myself that this cave has been around for millions of years. When checking to see how I was doing, he told us that the cave is the safest place to be in an earthquake because it is so stable!
At one point, he turned off all lights so we could experience 100% darkness, something that most people have never encountered. I thought about how these kind of fears are an illusion. Just because it is dark, does not make it dangerous. We were with a guide in a safe place and he is in communication with people on the surface.
It's amazing how our minds can influence how we feel!
The next section was unexpected and had I known we would go through there, I might not have gone on that tour. There was a narrow opening to "Fat Man's Misery" which became a tight walkway, sometimes requiring me to turn sideways. That led into "Tall Man's Misery" which was a bit wider but the very low ceiling made it difficult to walk, bent over. I focused very hard on there being lots of air and on the stability of the cave, making it through without panicking.
Facing fears really does reduce their impact!
The rest of the journey through the cave was interesting and I knew I would be able to do this tour again another time. What a great feeling!
I left the park and carried on driving north toward Detroit, the weather getting progressively colder and the vegetation less green.
After stopping for a night at a Cracker Barrel restaurant (another free place for RV's to park overnight) at
La Grange, Kentucky and then at a Walmart at Bowling Green, Ohio, I stopped at "Maumee Bay State Park".
It is situated on the Lake Erie shoreline SE of Toledo and about 68mi (110km) from the border into Canada.
I needed this time to sort out the receipts of things bought in US
(mostly for my RV ,such as my second solar panel). After almost 6 mos in US, I wasn't sure what I needed to claim.
Maumee Bay State Park is a beautiful park set in meadows and marshes with a PA rate of only $14.50/night for electrical hook up. They had showers, fresh water, and a dump site available. I was fortunate to find this place since many northern parks are closed during the winter. It got close to freezing during the night but because I had electricity, I was able to use my portable electric heater, saving on propane.
It was good to empty my tanks too, since I had no idea where I would find a place to dump after arriving in Canada.
The next day, April 8, it didn't take long to drive north on I-75 to Detroit and it was quite easy to reach the Ambassador Bridge marking the border between Canada and US.
Driving over this suspension bridge is always exciting because of its 2.3km length. This time I knew to follow the signs for cars instead of trucks ( My RV is usually a "truck" and when I returned east after buying my motorhome in Calgary, I took the truck lane and ended up in the midst of many transport trucks, finding out I should have taken the car lane! )
I reached Canadian customs without any problem. The guard was very pleasant and didn't require any receipts. I had claimed what I had bought and was over my limit but he waved me through.
It pays to be honest!
It was wonderful to see the Canadian flags and to be back in familiar territory. I love calling Canada my home!
I spent that night visiting a good friend near Windsor , then carried on to London, Ont where I had gone to school and worked and where some of my family and many friends still live.
It is now April 13 and I am parked in the driveway of good friends, appreciating their hospitality. After I arrived, there was a lot of rain and I came down with a nasty cold. It feels terrible but then I decided to be grateful to have this time to rest!
The weather has turned from very cold ( close to freezing at night) to warmer days. Signs of spring are visible with buds on some trees, crocuses blooming, and birds singing. How lucky I am to have the pleasure of experiencing such a long spring!
This is what awaits us here soon:
(photos taken a few years ago.)
I plan to spend the rest of April in Ontario and then drive east to Nova Scotia, stopping to explore the Gaspe Peninsula which I have long wished to see.
The journey continues!
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant."
-Robert Louis Stevenson
"To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first."
-William Shakespeare
A story shared by a friend:
A man was telling someone that he and his wife were about to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
His buddy asked him what the secret was for the success of his long marriage.
He replied that for their 25th anniversary, he took her on a trip to Italy.
"So what will you do to celebrate your 50th anniversary?" asked his buddy.
The man replied, "I'll travel back to Italy to go pick her up!"
In some places on the ceiling, you could see names printed by early explorers. They would tie a lit candle to a long stick to make the small smudges forming the letters.
The guide informed us of the 300ft change in elevation on
this tour as we were walking across a grid over "The Bottomless Pit". He shone his flashlight showing us water far below.
As we progressed to deeper levels, I became quite uncomfortable, remembering to take slow deep breaths and reminding myself that this cave has been around for millions of years. When checking to see how I was doing, he told us that the cave is the safest place to be in an earthquake because it is so stable!
At one point, he turned off all lights so we could experience 100% darkness, something that most people have never encountered. I thought about how these kind of fears are an illusion. Just because it is dark, does not make it dangerous. We were with a guide in a safe place and he is in communication with people on the surface.
It's amazing how our minds can influence how we feel!
 |
| "Fat Man's Misery" |
The next section was unexpected and had I known we would go through there, I might not have gone on that tour. There was a narrow opening to "Fat Man's Misery" which became a tight walkway, sometimes requiring me to turn sideways. That led into "Tall Man's Misery" which was a bit wider but the very low ceiling made it difficult to walk, bent over. I focused very hard on there being lots of air and on the stability of the cave, making it through without panicking.
Facing fears really does reduce their impact!
The rest of the journey through the cave was interesting and I knew I would be able to do this tour again another time. What a great feeling!
I left the park and carried on driving north toward Detroit, the weather getting progressively colder and the vegetation less green.
After stopping for a night at a Cracker Barrel restaurant (another free place for RV's to park overnight) at
La Grange, Kentucky and then at a Walmart at Bowling Green, Ohio, I stopped at "Maumee Bay State Park".
It is situated on the Lake Erie shoreline SE of Toledo and about 68mi (110km) from the border into Canada.
I needed this time to sort out the receipts of things bought in US
(mostly for my RV ,such as my second solar panel). After almost 6 mos in US, I wasn't sure what I needed to claim.
Maumee Bay State Park is a beautiful park set in meadows and marshes with a PA rate of only $14.50/night for electrical hook up. They had showers, fresh water, and a dump site available. I was fortunate to find this place since many northern parks are closed during the winter. It got close to freezing during the night but because I had electricity, I was able to use my portable electric heater, saving on propane.
It was good to empty my tanks too, since I had no idea where I would find a place to dump after arriving in Canada.
The next day, April 8, it didn't take long to drive north on I-75 to Detroit and it was quite easy to reach the Ambassador Bridge marking the border between Canada and US.
Driving over this suspension bridge is always exciting because of its 2.3km length. This time I knew to follow the signs for cars instead of trucks ( My RV is usually a "truck" and when I returned east after buying my motorhome in Calgary, I took the truck lane and ended up in the midst of many transport trucks, finding out I should have taken the car lane! )
I reached Canadian customs without any problem. The guard was very pleasant and didn't require any receipts. I had claimed what I had bought and was over my limit but he waved me through.
It pays to be honest!
It was wonderful to see the Canadian flags and to be back in familiar territory. I love calling Canada my home!
I spent that night visiting a good friend near Windsor , then carried on to London, Ont where I had gone to school and worked and where some of my family and many friends still live.
It is now April 13 and I am parked in the driveway of good friends, appreciating their hospitality. After I arrived, there was a lot of rain and I came down with a nasty cold. It feels terrible but then I decided to be grateful to have this time to rest!
The weather has turned from very cold ( close to freezing at night) to warmer days. Signs of spring are visible with buds on some trees, crocuses blooming, and birds singing. How lucky I am to have the pleasure of experiencing such a long spring!
This is what awaits us here soon:
(photos taken a few years ago.)
I plan to spend the rest of April in Ontario and then drive east to Nova Scotia, stopping to explore the Gaspe Peninsula which I have long wished to see.
The journey continues!
"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant."
-Robert Louis Stevenson
"To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first."
-William Shakespeare
A story shared by a friend:
A man was telling someone that he and his wife were about to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.
His buddy asked him what the secret was for the success of his long marriage.
He replied that for their 25th anniversary, he took her on a trip to Italy.
"So what will you do to celebrate your 50th anniversary?" asked his buddy.
The man replied, "I'll travel back to Italy to go pick her up!"
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