Friday June 6, 1997
Bowling Green, KY to Mammoth Cave National Park
US's Flag KY's Flag TN's Flag
Current Time
GMT (+0):07:08
Seattle (-8):23:08
Mammoth Cave National Park (-6):01:08
Mammoth Cave National Park :
Latitude:36° 32' 27" North
Longitude:87° 21' 49" West
From Seattle:1980 miles
Altitude:441 feet
Lodging:Hotel - Motel 6
Map
Today's Travel:
Country:US
Regions:KY
TN
Route:I65, I24
Stops:1. Mammoth Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park, KY
2. The Grand Ole Opry, Nashville, TN
Road Miles:154 miles
Linear:151 miles
Weather:Rain
Map
Available Photos:
All photo images © 1997-2000 Anthony Jones
Images may not be used without prior written approval.
Photo
Subject:Someone on the tour emerging from one of the tight spots
Location:Mammoth Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park, KY
Photo
Subject:Some of the tour canyoning
Location:Mammoth Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park, KY
Photo
Subject:Me on a rest break
Location:Mammoth Cave, Mammoth Cave National Park, KY
Larger image available
Photo
Subject:Me after surviving the cave
Location:Visitor Center, Mammoth Cave National Park, KY
Trip to Date:
Day:57
Miles Driven:11766
Linear Dist:8570
Countries Visited:2
Regions Visited:27
Nights in Hotels:24
Nights with Friends / Family:18
Nights Camping:9
Nights in Hostels:6
Beers:165
Map
Entry:
The "Wild Cave" Tour at Mammoth Cave National Park was definitely an E-ticket ride. Almost 7 hours underground, they give you a hardhat and a light to strap to it, and send you off with a sadistic guide. I can't recommend this tour enough, unless you are even slightly claustrophobic. There were places that involved wiggling on your stomach (through mud even) with so little vertical clearance that you couldn't even turn my head. There were places where I seriously couldn't take a deep breath (I tried).

After surprising myself by surviving the tour I spent the best $1.50 ever and had a shower. Unfortunately I didn't have time to burn the clothes as I had a ticket for tonight's performance of The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. I figured 90 miles, 2.5 hours, no problem and I'd have time for dinner. 1.5 hours, four miles, and after passing three accidents I realized I might have a problem. Luckily things cleared up and I only missed the first half hour. I have to admit I was a little disappointed. The audience was mostly older, and the intro to most songs went something like "Here's something from 1957" or "I wrote this in 1963". There were only two songs that I had ever heard before. Having said that I am glad that I went. Here's the line up.

[Previous Day] | [Index] | [Next Day]
Back To: Welcome Page