Mammoth Cave National Park

Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Here are some photos from my trip. The pics are not great, due to the low levels of light, the different types of lighting used and the ban on tripods. Most people were using flash, but I found that it washed out the detail, not to mention blinding everyone. So I tried my best to pick the right settings and hold the camera as still as possible.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

So much variety.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

They call this Frozen Niagara.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Reminded me of Dali.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

More formations.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Dizzying.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Lots of colors in the rocks.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

A collapse from thousands of years ago.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

More.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Huge boulders perched on each other.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Ranger John speaking by lantern light.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

The river level - 370 feet below the surface.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Cool stuff.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Grave of Stephen Bishop, a slave who was an expert guide. He discovered much of the cave passages.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

This is called the Bridal Altar.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

A cafeteria!

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

'Historical graffiti'. They used to allow visitors to write their names using candle flames or just scratching them with rocks.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Some of the gypsum which leeched out of the limestone.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

'Mine' area where slaves toiled to get nitrates out of the dirt from the caves, to be used for gunpowder.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

I dubbed this 'frozen viagra'.

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Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Last - people listening to the ranger on one of the stops.

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Eastern Long Island, NY(Zone 7a)

Great shots Victor considering the difficulty level! (different lighting, no tripods etc) Surprised they let people use flash! Which tours did you take? I assume you took the extensive 4hr tour as well as others! Stay at the park campground or a nearby hotel?

Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Thanks, WC. Yes, I wish they would ban flash. I was blinded a number of times. People are trying to negotiate the tricky footing and don't need any more difficulty!

We did the four hour Grand Avenue tour, as well as the New Entrance, River Styx, Focus on Frozen Niagara and Star Chamber tours.

We stayed nearby - in Cave City - at a Comfort Inn. It was very nice. Cracker Barrel across the street, which had great food!

Eastern Long Island, NY(Zone 7a)

Awesome Victor! Thanks for the info & for sharing your Vacation shots! ☺

Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Thank you.

S of Lake Ontario, NY(Zone 6a)

Nice Victor, I want to go back now

Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Thanks, Deb. The rangers are so good - in every park. We are huge fans of national parks.

Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Sharon and I had planned to meet up but she was called into babysitting duty for her grandson. It was a disappointment as I was greatly looking forward to meeting her.

Buffalo, NY(Zone 6a)

Very nice, Victor .... one of my favorite haunts!

That whole area on the Green River is beautiful.

I haven't been there in probably 10 years.

When I was in college, I found out they have a college program where you can earn gen. ed. credits by going there to help in research.

Unfortunately, it was my last semester I found out.

Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Cool! I would have loved that. We canoed on the Green.

Newport News, VA(Zone 11)

Great pics! Looks scary. What do they serve at that cafeteria? So where are the Mammouths :-)

This message was edited Aug 2, 2009 6:53 PM

Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Hee hee. No mammoths. Just mammoth as in huge! Box lunches, cookies, candy, soft drinks, coffee, etc.

Newport News, VA(Zone 11)

What? No mammouth burgers? Craker Barrel is a good substitute thou, yum.

South Hamilton, MA

Excellent pictures Victor. thank you for sharing with us.

central, NJ(Zone 6b)

Very cool.

Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Thanks! Cracker Barrel was a nice surprise. I had never eaten there before.

central, NJ(Zone 6b)

Really???? You've NEVER eaten at a Cracker Barrell??? Every trip down south we hit one going down or coming back. Now we have one only 5 minutes from us and we never go.

Lower Hudson Valley, NY(Zone 6b)

Yes. Glad I found it. There is one about 22 miles from me and we will sure be visiting now.

Scott County, KY(Zone 5b)

I hope that next time you darken the doors of KY, that you'll at least say hi to others that hang out here.

central, NJ(Zone 6b)

uh oh you're in trouble now Victor!

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