Cathedral Caverns in Woodville was 'ok', (went about 3 weeks ago) but I was asking the tourguide about tours OFF the beaten path. He said the owner hasnt done one in a long time, but might consider it. I just hate tourist traps. I think they ruined it by concreting a sidewalk all the way through it --- It holds 4 world records apparently, so I think it's a shame they commercialized it... I DONT WANT to do caves that everyone knows about - I want "secret" caves. or at least forrgotten caves.
So, Ive been driving right past what appeared to be a sinkhole, or cave for a year now, and about a week ago, finally decided to pull over and look inside. I HAD to go in. but it would have to wait.. im not foolish - I had to get a partner for safety. Im not up to speed yet on all the terminology, but it's a fantastic cave - as soon as you drop down about 6-7 feet down, a valley with two ledges splits down below you... It drops about 20 feet, and you have to crawl on the shelf until it tapers down into whatd appear to be the main chamber. There are two crawl tunnels leading on, but my cousin and I only had about 20 minutes before an appointment. I CANT WAIT to press on!!! the trash and litter was nil past the mouth of the cave, which I believe just washed into it from the drainage ditch there... so Im guessing this is relatively unknown. I know a few people have been in, but its not abused. I plan to clean the opening out, and then sort of try to hide the enterance with the branches there so even fewer people would find this. Is this selfish?? IM HOOKED!!!
Now, I live in a small valley called "Denbo Hollow" - (locals may know of it). Ive found now two caves in 3 days of looking - one by the road (public access) and the other on my parents property (they live two houses down). I cant contain myself about going into the one on our property. I found one opening with a massive boulder with a massive tree growing on it hanging WAY over what appears to be safe. another boulder out front appears to prop the overhang up. To be honest it scares the piss out of me. I was nervous slithering down to try to see into the enterance. It has about a 16-18 (or so) inch wide passage that opens up and down just a few feet back- What scares the dickens out of me - is that, could I possibly JAR it loose while wiggling through there??? I will post photos if anyone is interested. I would love a more experienced persons opinion on safety - it appears the boulder has these two small stones wedged into place, and that if I kicked one our it would come crashing in...
The other opening I found, 50 or so feet down from that one (Im sure they connect somehow, because I could feel rushing air in this opening) has only about a six inch opening tall and about a foot wide - not much - but I could flash my light down and see the first chamber - It was ALMOST as if this chamber was a room for someone. (I THINK i see a section of PVC pipe - but not sure) VERY square. I see an old beer bottle straight down, but it couldve washed in through the opening. one crawl chamber goes off to the left, one to the right. I KNOW no ones been in here for 10 plus years, if not more like 20-30+, because of the way the mountain drains, and how the dirt has built up the opening to the first chamber. It wouldve taken sometime to almost seal the opening. I am going to dig an opening in the dirt large enough for me to squeeze through, and drop in. I will take before and after pics.
My uncle tells the story of Decatur, AL being a treasury for the confederates during the civil war. The story goes, when the union forces were advancing... one wagon of gold went south towards cullman. He was apparently captured. One wagon headed west - (thatd be close to me...) - history, legend, fable, whatever has it, that the gold was parked in a cave, and the enterence dynomited... never to be seen again. The man apparently died in captivity and never told. Has everyone else heard this?
Sorry so long winded in the into - just excited!
Jips (James) - Trinity, AL
Cavechat RSS Feed