Linville Caverns and Simple Coaching.

Our Location today is Marion, North Carolina, USA.

This morning we actually had a chance to sleep in. Until 8:30 that is. We had plans to go exploring again with our friends Gerry and Sandy. Right on schedule we all piled into the truck and were on the road by 9:30. 

Our first destination was the Linville Caverns just off US 221 under Humpback Mountain. The trip only lasted a half hour and when we arrived the parking lot was fairly empty. By the time we’d gotten our tickets a few more vehicles had arrived but they had brought their dogs with them and animals are not allowed in the cavern. 

Our guide took us down inside explaining how the caverns are protected under Federal Law and informing us of the wildlife that make the caverns their home. We were told how during the Civil War deserters from both sides hid out in the caverns. We saw some nice looking trout that swim throughout the water system of the caverns and told because of their lack of exposure to light that they were totally blind. 

One thing unique about this cavern compared to others we have visited is the constant dripping of water from the ceiling and the temperature staying around the 52 F (11 C) constantly year round. We saw what total darkness in the cavern looked like as well as what an old kerosene lantern used by the early explorers looked like compared to modern lighting.   

In the winter time the caverns are closed to the public because it becomes the hibernation grounds for the Eastern Pipistrelle Bat. Unfortunately the bat population has been in decline due to White-Nose Syndrome which is a fungus that causes irritation on bats when they hibernate. This causes the bats to wake before the spring causing them to starve to death. Bats are useful to our Eco-System by acting as pollinators and devouring millions of insects every year. 

On our way out of the cavern we came face to face with bus loads of 8 to 10 year old kids on a school field trip. After bleaching the soles of our shoes to avoid spreading the White-Nose Syndrome we headed for the truck glad we weren’t underground with all those noisy children. 

Our next destination was the Linville Waterfalls but we didn’t have any coordinates for it so we just tried to see if we could locate them. The road we were told to take was a very tight two lane road that twisted and turned its way through the mountains that would have been impossible to do pulling the trailer. The closer we got the signs seemed to disappear leaving us puzzled as to the location. 

With no luck we stopped at a small strip mall to have a late lunch at the Western Sizzlin Restaurant. We had the choice of choosing from the menu for ten dollars or more per meal or pay less than eight dollars a meal by eating their buffet. They had a great selection of salads along with the other foods so none of us waddled out and we managed to not destroy our diets like we have in the past. All the food was fresh and tasty and was not overly salty like some buffets we’ve been to. 

Western Sizzlin Restaurant.

We were disappointed that we hadn’t found the falls so when we got back to the trailer Kathy did more research and finally found a site that gave the coordinates to its location. We’ll try again tomorrow. 

We only had soup for supper before going to the pavilion for 7:30. Tonight Howard and Linda showed the first half of a video we’ll all have access to after tomorrow’s Luau. Tonight’s video was made from the activities on Memorial Day. There was lots of laughing as we all viewed it. 

It was then time for the campfire but Tom was having a problem with his trailer and wanted my opinion on the issue. After gathering a few tools that I had in the basement I simply coached him

on how to resolve the issue and everything is working fine now. We returned to the campfire where Kathy, Sandy and Gerry were just about ready to call it a night. 

Only white lighting is used in the cavern.
The colors are from minerals in the formations.

There is lots planned here at the reunion tomorrow plus we’re going to try to make it back to the waterfalls. Thanks for following along and feel free to leave a comment. Be Safe and Enjoy!

It’s about time.

Krackers

The World's Great Proverbs

Good fences make good neighbors.