Underground scouting

Yesterday, my daughter's Girl Scout troop went on a day trip to Luray Caverns, and my wife and I went along as chaperones. My first visit to Luray was as a child, during one of my family's summer trips. I returned with my wife before our daughters were born, but I haven't been there in almost ten years. We assembled at my daughter's school, and divided the girls between the various vehicles and headed off to the west. I led the way for most of the two hour drive, as I was familiar with the route. When we arrived, the troop leader checked in with the group ticketing office, and we were escorted directly into the cavern for our tour.

I've visited a number of different caverns in my life. Each has its own personality and distinct appearance. Luray has some stunningly beautiful formations, but it is heavily visited, with smoothly paved walkways and handrails, so there is very little feeling of adventure as you walk through the cavern. One of their other claims to fame is their "stalactite organ," which plays music by tapping on selected formations with solenoid actuated rubber mallets. The music is quite haunting, but the concept is a bit on the cheesy side.

After we finished the tour of the caverns, we ate a picnic lunch and then toured the antique car and carriage museum (quickly, as the girls weren't terribly interested), and then explored the Garden Maze, which covers an acre and is sufficiently challenging to keep everyone entertained. We then piled back into the cars for the trip home. The girls were tired, but I think they all had a good time.

( Here are a couple of pictures )