Luray Caverns

In mid-January, we ventured deeper into Virginia and treated the kids to Luray Caverns.  It's a HUGE set of caverns with formations made primarily of limestone and calcite.  Patti and Patrick have been to caves in Madagascar and Puerto Rico, but the kids had never experienced anything like that before.  They really were expecting a room-size dark cave so when we ventured around for an hour, looping up, down, and around, they were amazed.

The kids learned - and remembered for a short time - which formations were stalactites (have to hold tight to the ceiling) and which were stalagmites (might grow to the ceiling).

Will was amazed by the Dream Lake, which is an optical illusion because it's only about 20 inches deep.  He took Patrick's hand and walked right up to the guide to ask him why the lake didn't turn into a formation too.  The guide thanked Will for such a good question before explaining to him that the water drips slowly out the back of the lake, making a waterfall formation that no one can get over to see and appreciate.