Show caves

[boogercaver71]

I went to Indiana to experience some of the great caves. The first day while we were waiting for all of the flooding to subside, we went to Marengo Cave. I thought first, the cave was great, our guide was not hokey, and he was very informed about the geology and speleology of the cave. The next day we went to Sullivans and had a blast

[ArCaver]

Cavers go to show caves for the cave, non cavers go for the funny stories, colored light, gimmicks, and exotic atmosphere.

I disagree with the latter part of your statement. I've been giving tours for a dozen years now and can't begin to tell you how many people have thanked me for answering their questions with fact instead of hokey stories. Sure there has to be some humor thrown in from time to time but there's no excuse for a guide not knowing a little about geology, hydrology, speleogenesis, biology and of course conservation, and be willing to share it with the visitors. It's required where I work and I've been to many other caves where the guide seemed to be passionate enough about the cave to learn and then impart to the public what they had learned. It doesn't hurt to know a little psychology too.

I liked Meremac, but I wasnt much concerned about what the guide did or did not say either.

I've had a couple of good tours there in the past. The last one told me the owners, good people by the way, let the guides develop their own style of tour, within reason. They don't have to stick with the P.T. Barnum mentality of the past.

I went to Indiana to experience some of the great caves. The first day while we were waiting for all of the flooding to subside, we went to Marengo Cave. I thought first, the cave was great, our guide was not hokey, and he was very informed about the geology and speleology of the cave. The next day we went to Sullivans and had a blast

That was one of my favorites. My wife and I had two excellent tours there a couple of years ago.

[Teresa]

I liked Meremac, [sic] but I wasnt much concerned about what the guide did or did not say either.

I've had a couple of good tours there in the past. The last one told me the owners, good people by the way, let the guides develop their own style of tour, within reason. They don't have to stick with the P.T. Barnum mentality of the past.

No...not P.T. Barnum...Lester Dill, who was crazy like a fox. Actually, in 30+ years of going to showcaves, the Lantern Tour which Meramec Caverns does periodically is definitely in my top three show cave tours of all time, no holds barred. Basically, it is a tour with first person interpretation being done by the guides of historical personages associated with the cave, including Dill himself. I've been in other caves which have had more speleological "wow", but this was really great. Including when Jesse James showed up in person. And the cave is literally in my side yard. They also have a pretty decent school group program there.

[commanderzoom]

I've never been on the Lantern Tour but it sounds like fun. Do you know when they'll be doing it next?

[LG420]

I did the Mammoth Cave wild Tour this summer and I really enjoyed it. You spend about 6 hours underground and see lots of areas they don't take you on the tours. It sort of meanders in and out of the Grand Ave passage until you get to the Snowball dining room. Worth the price! And they will let you wear your own caving gear. Our guide had never seen the tops of the domes in the three years he'd been guiding that tour until we turned the Sten lights on it for him. HA!

On another note...does anyone know anything about Truitt's Cave in Lanagan, MO? The cave and 50 acres are for sale. Of course for more than I have but I was interested in knowing if anyone knew anything about this cave. It used to be a show cave but it's been closed for awhile now. I found very little when I googled it.

[boogercaver71]

The wild cave tour at Mammoth is a lot of fun. I did it in 93. As far as Truitts Cave goes, I think I remember it has about 800-1000 feet of narrow canyon passage with maybe a couple of small dome rooms thrown in. My parents took me to eat there about 1967 to take the tour and eat dinner. My recollection is the trout was very good

[Dangerjudy]

Forbidden Caverns near Knoxville is one of the nicest little show caves I've been to. Cathedral Caverns in Grant Al is amazing. The Lost Sea - wish they would get rid of the smelly fish in the 'sea'. The power went out in The Lost Sea for awhile while we were inside. Nobody sued.

I enjoy show caves.


Once I was in a show cave (which one? I forget) and the guide pointed out a bat on the wall. I said, "That is a dangerous South-East Asian Death Bat". She looked at me nervously and said, 'really?'

"No, I'm just joking" I replied with a grin, but oh boy was I tickled to have pulled off that joke, it's one of my buddy Dave Howell's signature jokes. Of course he says it about any random flower, bug, or critter we may happen upon while ridge-walking. It's amazing how many South-East Asian Death creatures have migrated to TAG!