The Caverns of Virginia

-
Virginia has many wonderful attractions, some historic, and some are breathtaking.  Among the must-sees around the state are its many caverns.


Skyline Caverns
Situated in Front Royal, VA, the Skyline Caverns were discovered in 1937 by Walter S. Amos.  He revealed the hidden gem which was lurking underneath the earth’s exterior for 60 million years.  In 1939, the caverns were freely accessible to the populace with millions of visitors passing through the caverns since that time.  When Virginia saw its population surge between the 1950’s and 1980’s, the Skyline Caverns became a significant attraction for those to see while visiting Virginia. 

Today, you can visit the Skyline Caverns and be awestruck by the splendor of the caverns and view an extraordinary site of Anthodites in visual arrangements.  You can take a guided tour from a well-informed expert who will direct you on your journey inside the caverns.  For more information on the Skyline Caverns, check out their website:   http://www.skylinecaverns.com/

Shenandoah Caverns
In Quicksburg, VA, is where the Shenandoah Caverns can be found.  These amazing formations were first discovered in 1922.  For over 90 years, people have toured the great caverns with excitement to marvel at the spectacular view.  These caverns can boost being the only one with an elevator so people of all ages can enjoy the hour long guided tour.  The interior is a cozy 56 degrees with seventeen rooms along the gravel path.  The rock creations are breathtaking.  Check out their website for all the information about the Shenandoah Caverns:  http://www.shenandoahcaverns.com/

Luray Caverns
The next caverns in Virginia are the Luray Caverns.  Located in Luray, they were exposed on August 13, 1878 by five men indigenous to the area.   They noticed limestone bulging out from a hole in the ground with cool air seeping from it.  It took the men about 4 hours to dig a hole big enough for the runt of the group to fit inside.  He slithered down a rope and with a candle in hand, and he was able to check out their discovery.  The men found artifacts, and human remains while wandering the massive caverns. 

The Luray Caverns were designated as a National Nature Landmark in 1974.  Today, you can take a guided tour throughout the caverns, with only a portion of the caverns open to the public.  With over 500,000 people walking the well lit trails each year, you are treated to the most brilliant views of rock formations.  Here is their website for more information:   http://luraycaverns.com/

Comments

  1. Justine’s HalloweenAugust 28, 2014 at 6:43 PM

    What pretty photos! I don't normally think cave interiors are pretty, but I like all that pink and purple light. :) I just noticed the sandals in your header. I have the same ones in navy! I just got those this summer. They're pretty comfortable, hey?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Julie FergusonAugust 29, 2014 at 6:51 AM

      I love my sandals. They are very comfortable. I can walk a long time in them and not have achy feet.

      Delete
  2. GatekeeperAugust 28, 2014 at 7:40 PM

    I remember some stories about the place being haunted

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Julie FergusonAugust 29, 2014 at 6:54 AM

      I wouldn't be surprised that they are haunted. Human bones were found in the Luray Caverns so those spirits could be still hanging around looking for a way out.

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

26 Bar Ranch (John Wayne Ranch)

-
Image
Immersed in the Hereford’s history in Eagar, AZ, sits the 26 Bar Ranch.   It was first known as the Milky Way Ranch in the 1940’s with its big white show barn which housed many Hereford cattle.   The barn is now a local landmark.   In 1964 the ranch became the 26 Bar Ranch or John Wayne’s Ranch, who was one of the owners.   Wayne, along with Ken Reafsnyder and Louis Johnson, his business partners, kept the ranch until John Wayne’s death in 1979 from lung and stomach cancer.   Lately, I have heard rumors that Bigfoot has been seen near the ranch.   I don’t know if that is true or not, but it would be worth checking out.  John Wayne and Louis Johnson
Read more

Cowboy Mummy Found in Desert

-
Image
  There are many strange stories in the Arizona files. One that is told is about the mummy found in the desert near Gila Bend nicknamed “Sylvester”. Many believe that he once was a 19th century cowboy, a con that loved to play cards. Stories are told that he finally got caught cheating and was shot in the stomach. He made a hasty exit while bleeding profusely from his wound. He got as far as Arizona’s Gila Bend desert when he fell off his horse and died face down in the sweltering heat. Shortly afterwards, he was covered by the blowing sands, which appeared to have dried his body overnight. This apparently preserved his body resulting in the mummified form he was found in. The more believable story was that he was found shortly after death and preserved in a high level of arsenic. Arsenic was used to stop the physical occurrences of a corpse rotting by killing bacteria and insects that invaded it. This custom of using arsenic was found to be poisonous by the 1900’s and never used
Read more

The Haunted Strip Mall

-
Image
This unassuming strip mall, on 19th Avenue & Northern in Phoenix, has an Albertsons, Starbucks, Einstein’s Bagels and other shops or offices, and would never thought to be haunted, but it is. Many years before the strip mall existed on this site, there used to be several eroded buildings standing there. These structures were murky and eerie and abandoned for many years. There was much speculation that the buildings were haunted and ghosts have been reported wandering around the grounds. Between the deteriorating walls of these dark dwellings, apparitions and other strange occurrences had been seen and heard by eyewitnesses. Young kids and teens would dare each other to investigate the buildings at night using only a flashlight for protection. They would find an open hole in the fence to gain access and slowly, as a group, would enter a building. They never lasted the night claiming to hear crying, and whimpering sounds coming from the long dark passage. Only a few brave souls wou
Read more