Cavern State park FL
3-12-15
Today we are staying at caverns state park in FL. What a change from Texas. This AM when we stepped outside our air conditioned living space the humidity was intense! The temperature was a pleasant 80. MAYBE IF YOU WERE NECK DEEP IN A POOL.
In spite of that we came here to see the caverns, so off we went. Our drive through the park was lovely. Spring has arrived here and trees were bursting their buds along with several varieties of wild flowers in bloom.
Once the Burb was parked we strolled across the lot towards a statue that caught my eye. To its left was a brass plaque explaining this represented one of the CCC workers that built this park. Over 7000 worked here from 1933 to 1942. This information caused both Ruthie and I to pause a minute and think of her father Fred, who worked in the CCC in Vermont.
We continued up the path to the gift shop and museum, also built by the CCC but no doubt had a different purpose then. After buying our tickets for the tour we had about an hours wait. This gave us time to stroll through the small museum and enjoy the surrounding grounds bright with Spring colors.
After a brief do's and don't lecture off we went to this underground wonder. One rule, don't touch anything, eliminated the possibility of posing Melvin on a stalagmite so he stayed in our pouch. None the less, I took many photos to remind us of this experience. Many places had ceilings of about four feet. Not great for the over 65 crowd with bad backs. But when our guide explained how the CCC Boys dug this out with only hand tools to connect the larger rooms, I sucked it up.
Although the humidity in here was also near 100% the cool 65 degree temperature made it pretty comfortable. In just 45 minutes we were back outside. Considering our dripping wet clothes from our wait before the cavern tour we returned to Gracie for a change of clothes.
We went out for supper and had a great meal at a local restaurant recommended by a park staff member. (The Oaks in Marianna) upon our return to the campground we were met by a closed gate. Ruth said she remembered the combination written on our brochure that was still in Gracie. After several failed attempts silence engulfed the Burb. When I got up the nerve to speak, I handed Ruth my cell phone to call the park ranger. Of course we got a recording! After all it was 8:30 PM. As plan B was being formed in our once again silent thoughts, a fellow camper arrived at the gate to rescue us from our dilemma. Turns out our numbers we just reversed. Not close enough though.
Now I'm back in Gracie sitting in the recliner and all is well.
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