| Luray Caverns | Visited On 9/7/2009 | |
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TITANIA'S VEIL
This shimmering white formation is pure calcite, the result of spreading crystalline deposits. These deposits, commonly called flowstone, spread laterally coating walls or ceilings. The Smithsonian Institution commented, “Here in this studio of nature are reproductions of all those objects which are wont to fill the mind with pleasure, wonder – objects whose multiplicity, variety and splendor would exhaust the whole literature of mythic and fairy lore in providing names for their infinite diversity of beauty.” Titania's Veil was named for Shakespeare's Fairy Queen from his play A Midsummer Night's Dream. TOTEM POLES Comfortable paved walkways lead visitors through inspiring chambers magnificently sculpted with countless stalactites and stalagmites. This area of the caverns contains an unusual amount of formations in a wide variety of shapes and colorations. The cluster together is said to resemble totem poles. The poles illustrate how variable water and growth patterns can create gravity defying shapes. Many visitors see other objects within the shapes including an old-fashioned barber's shaving brush. GIANT'S HALL Enormous chambers are filled with towering stone columns, shimmering draperies and crystal-clear pools. The National Park Service and the Department of Interior designated Luray Caverns a Registered Natural Landmark. The announcement proclaimed this site possesses exceptional value as an illustration of the Nation's natural heritage and contributes to a better understanding of man's environment. PLUTO'S CHASM Pluto's Chasm was the main horizontal channel in the caverns as water dissolved and eroded layer upon layer of limestone during the formation of these huge chambers over 400,000 years ago. Different solution levels left by the seeping water remain visible along the far wall. Acidic reactions from these accumulations of water will dissolve up to one-tenth of an inch of limestone per year in some caves. This chasm is over 500 feet long, and is 70 to 90 feet in depth. SARACEN'S TENT From the Smithsonian report of July 1880 – “there is nothing more beautiful in the cave than these scarfs, shawls, lambrequins of translucent calcite, some white as snow, others impregnated with the impurities of the soil above, falling in graceful folds, fringed with a thousand patterns, and so thin that a candle held behind one of them reveals all the structure within.” Appearing as smooth and flowing as a curtain folded by hand, this formation is one of the most perfectly formed stone drapery structures in the world. The translucent sheets appear to have been parted, tent-like, for an entranceway. FROZEN FOUNTAIN All formations in the caverns are calcite, a crystalline form of limestone, the result of limestone dissolved in water then re-deposited in the hollowed-out underground chambers as stalactites and stalagmites. Calcite in its purest form is naturally white. This fountain effect is the result water dripping through the ceiling for thousands of years to form a gigantic stalagmite. STALACPIPE ORGAN Located in the Cathedral is the Great Stalacpipe Organ, the world's largest musical instrument. Stalactites covering 3 1/2 acres of the surrounding caverns produce tones of symphonic quality when electronically tapped by rubber-tipped mallets. This one-of-a-kind instrument was conceived by Mr. Leland W. Sprinkle of Springfield, Virginia, a mathematician and electronics scientist at the Pentagon. After visiting the caverns with his son and experiencing the organ-like sounds of a stalactite being tapped, Mr. Sprinkle submitted a complex plan for a stalactite-tapping instrument. It took 36 years of frustrating research, design and experimentation to bring his dream to its present state of perfection. Three years alone were spent searching the vast chambers of the caverns to select and carefully sand stalactites to precisely match the musical scale. Only two stalactites were found to be in tune naturally. The four-keyboard console of The Great Stalacpipe Organ was constructed by the Klann Organ Supply Company of Waynesboro, Virginia, to meet the peculiar needs of this subterranean installation. Then the organ was connected to various stalactites with over five miles of wiring. Today, the organ, featured on Ripley's Believe It or Not, plays a variety of songs, many chosen for their range and deep, resonate tones. Visitors stand enthralled as haunting melody and chords reverberate throught the vaulted ceilings. The songs, which are played by an automated system, change seasonally. The organ can also be played manually from the console, as Leland Sprinkle did for many years. DOUBLE COLUMN Dominating Giant’s Hall at a height of 47 feet, this column is the tallest and one of the most spectacular formations in the caverns. The Double Column is a classic example of the two basic cave formations the stalactite and stalagmite. Luray Caverns is noted for the profuse variety of formations and unsurpassed natural color. All coloration in the caverns is natural, caused by the mineral content of the seeping ground water. The ceiling here in Giant's Hall is over 60 feet in height. From the standpoint of total airspace, this is also the largest room in the caverns. EMPRESS COLUMN Co-discoverer Benton Stebbins received a stroke of good fortune with a letter from Reverend Horace C. Hovey of Connecticut. Hovey was a Methodist minister possessing a fascination for caves. He was an author and foremost authority on caves in the 1880's. Hovey wrote the Luray owners and requested permission to see the cave he had read about in the New York Herald. Stebbins knew at once that Hovey would be able to help him name the formations and his descriptions would be of inestimable help. Dr. Hovey immediately agreed, saying, “Christening is my business.” Even though a massive stalagmite, this impressive white formation was named Empress Column by Horace Hovey during his special arranged tour. DREAM LAKE This is the largest body of water in the caverns. However, its deepest point is not more than 18 to 20 inches. This sparkling lake reflects a myriad of fantastic forms and creates a mirror image of the abundant stalactites hanging from the ceiling. FRIED EGGS Thousands of natural curiosities and irregularly shaped objects can regularly be observed along the tour route like the "Fried Eggs." Monster pillars, massive and fantastic forms, many adorned with countless patterns, graceful folds in mysterious shadows – crystal fountains, cascades, chimes, flower gardens; terrestrial, celestial, infernal. With imagination everyone can find a favorite oddity. |
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| Natural Bridge | Visited On 9/7/2009 | |
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Caverns
The Natural Bridge Caverns are the deepest caverns found on the east coast.The Natural Bridge Caverns were discovered just before the turn of the 20th century and opened to the public in 1977. Open seasonally March through November, visitors enjoying the Natural Bridge Caverns tour descend more than 34 stories deep within the Earth to get to the magnificent natural display. While underground, tourists can explore the Natural Bridge Caverns and view their many special features, including cavern structures such as the Colossal Dome room. This room is an enormous dome shaped natural feature that was created over thousands of years. Walking from the dome room, visitors can also see other places while on the 45 minute tour of the Natural Bridge Caverns; be sure to see things like Mirror Lake, the Well Room and the stalactites and stalagmites that grow from the Canyon Room. Natural Bridge Natural Bridge was formed when a cavern collapsed and left the span that stands today. Cedar Creek Nature Trail begins with the walk down Cascade Creek and ends about a mile later at Lace Falls. Natural Bridge is included in the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trails Peaks of Otter Loop. The trail includes many curiosities unique to Natural Bridge, especially the 1500 year old Arborvitae tree. Toy Museum Wax Museum Old Car Museum |
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