Colossal Cave near Gilbet Ray AZ. Feb 20, 24

-

What a caving experience we have had. We booked the laddetour and it was just the two of us with our guide. They suited us up with helmets and lights. We went off the beaten path and used ladders left behind by the CCC. 

First thing is that it is a dry or dormat cave. The water sourse dried up 10s of thousands of years ago. However,  there was snow this year that doesn't usually happen. A small stream of water enter the cave and we got a chance to see it. The cave also has a very interesting history of human use. 

First nation Peoples were the first to use it for storage and to live in. Artifacts were found and a few were on display. Train robbers also used the cave to hide out with their cash and gold. Again artifacts on display.

Our guide told us  it was bought by Solomon Slick who owned and operated a hotel/ resort.  He used the cave to attract tourists. He not only allowed people to take stalactites but encouraged them to. A German tourist was horrified by what he saw and bought the cave. Making a living by giving tours and conserving the integrity of the cave until the great depression. He could no longer make a living. During this time government projects were developed to help people find work. 
One such project was the Civilian Conservation Corps whose purpose was toup grade parks. As Colossal cave was privately owned it did not qualify. He gave the cave to Pima County with the agreement they would give him a house on the property and that he could give tour for as long as he was able. He retired well into his 80's. The CCC then worked at the cave making walk ways and stair making it way more tourist friendly. Thus the ladders we used to climb out of the cave.
Our guide also pointed out some fascinating things about the cave. For one we could touch things as the cave is no longer growing.  He gave us the usual info about the different formations. Some stalactites that are pure calcite crystals make bell like sounds when tapped with a rubber hammer.  We got to play some music. 
The next remarkable aspect was that walls  exposed to ultraviolet glow. 
We went to the sauna room and down a solution tube. Some narrow spots we had to turn sideways to get through. Edging our way across some narrow ledges. Altogether a sensational experience.

Last sunset here.

                          👷👷👷


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Port Hardy/Telegraph Cove. Sept 20, 2024

-
This is Telegraph Cove.  Dave described it as a somewhat run down but quaint little village. The name comes from the early 1920's when it was the most northerly telegraph terminal on the Island. In 2006 the whole place was turned into this very tourist place. The houses are all for rent as in hotels.  There is a large lodge just above this site. Also several new campgrounds.  Prices for snacks outraged! None the less we enjoyed the day.                         ðŸ˜˜ðŸ˜˜ðŸ˜˜
Read more

Port Hardy/Cape Scott. Sept 21, 2024

-
Image
We booked a tour for for today's adventure to Cape Scott provincial park. We were picked up at our campsite at 8:45 am and returned at 5:15 pm. The trip in is on a rough logging road. Also, if you meet a logging truck  you need to back upto a pull out spot. Didn't really fancy doing that on our own. This warning was on the road! Apparently set up by loggers with a strange sense of humour.  Our first stop the Scarlet Ibus Pub in Holberg. Holberg is at the head of Holberg Inlet which forms the far end of Quatsino sound. The earliest settlers were Danish who first settled in Cape Scott. They were there from the early 1900's until the 1920's . Most of them had given up by then. There is no longer any trace of them as they built from logs from the area. It had a revival in the 1950 with the building of Holberg RCAF base. At it height hosted a population  of 850. The logging company began to bring in familys and providing them housing during this time. Total population of aro...
Read more

Port Hardy/PortAlice. Sept 22, 2024

-
Image
Today started very slowly. A very long lie in. Several cups of tea enjoyed. Listening to the one and only radio station up here 1240 am. Great music for old folks and no ads. Go figure. Mostly raining or misting. So it seemed like a good day to get some chores done.  Holding tanks dumped and flushed, water tank refilled and muched needed showers taken. The drive to Port Alice is about 50 kms. This road is paved and appears to recently replaced. So smooth! Some fun facts about the place. Port Alice was site of a pulp and paper mill built in 1917. The community was named after the mother of the original owners. It was there for 104 years when it was dismantled in 2021. When the mill closed (not sure when) people left in droves. Real estate prices dropped and houses could be bought for $50,000.  It has bounced back and driving through the village appears relatively affluent. Tried to find out what keeps the economy going but didn't find anything. I can only guess it's logging...
Read more