Slowly, very slowly, I'm working on adventuring in all 50 states. Before this trip I was at 17. Ohio was 18. Indiana is 19. Although I like lists and checking things off lists the reason I want to see the country through adventure is so I can get a feel for what's special about our country. (And don't worry. I'm looking around the world, too, but this was a purely domestic trip.)
Based in Kentucky just south of Cincinnati, getting to Indiana was a bit of a drive. Only Clara was willing to get up enough early for the long drive. (And she slept for part of it.) We arrived at Marengo Cave just before opening time. It's privately owned and operated, but holds National Natural Landmark status and for good reason.
The caves are spacious with long sight lines and just about every type of formation you can imagine. From the moment we passed into the natural cave Clara and I were lost in amazement. Thankfully we had a guide that not only told us where to go and what we were seeing, but all the secrets of the cave. It's the sort of treatment you'd only expect from a private tour.
Because we had a private tour. Not on purpose, but because nobody else is crazy enough to get up as early as we did. The first tour started just after 9am. An hour later the guide called back to see if anyone had showed up for the second tour. Nope. We had another 40 minutes all to ourselves.
Our favorite features? Mirror Lake, which looks 20 feet deep, but is only a few inches; Sherwood Forest full of columns; the Crystal Palace; and of course the features that look just like bacon. Each area has its own special qualities and a story full of puns to go with it.
Our trip was extra special because it was just the two of us and the guide, but I'm sure any adventure in Marengo Cave would be worth the time and effort to get there. So if you find yourself in Indiana (or Kentucky or Ohio) make sure you find yourself under Indiana, too.
