This story began more than two years ago. Like, a long time before two years ago. Probably some time around 325,000,000 BCE. (That's even older than me and I'm getting up there.) That's when the old ocean built up layers of limestone. Then about 10,000,000 BCE (probably on a Tuesday) rainwater started carving the caves that became known as Mammoth Caves and later a National Park, World Heritage Site, and International Biosphere Reserve. Then about 20 years ago, we took a three month old on the cave tour and I didn't cry even a little. Not even when they turned off the lights!

But that's all history. This time, Lilly and I arrived just before dark and got checked into our sweet, sweet little shack. Fancy it was not, nor was it bug-proof. It was, however, home for the night. Of course, here we were in a National Park with headlamps so of course we went for a walk. Just a short little one. We saw beautiful flowers, creepy crawlies, and a cute little rat snake. Some leaves rustled when we were climbing over a downed tree and I could see a reptile's tail poking out. Duh. Of course I went in for a closer look. I'm not snake expert, but the big head said this was an all-caps NOPE ROPE. (Later I learned it was a cottonmouth.) We retreated to our shack for the night.

In the morning, Lilly's Kentucky cousins arrived to join us for a tour of the cave. It's weird seeing kids in semi-adult mode when they will forever be about 12 years old in my memory. Now I wonder if 12 year old me is what my parents see.

The cave tour was the same as last time and just as incredible. Lilly hadn't been through it or any cave that was even close to as large so she was agog throughout the tour.

Afterward, we grabbed lunch with the cousins before we had to get on the road. We had a bunch of driving still to do, but you'll have to read the next post to see where we went.

📍On the lands of the Shawandasse Tula people.