I'm having terrible internet issues here, but will try to get something up about today. I began early visiting Mammoth Cave Baptist Church, est. 1827.

Overview on the way.

Couldn't find the video projector.

By then it was time to load up for the first tour.

A representation of the 400+ miles of underground passageways.

The bus save us a long walk underground to our first tour.

Our tour guide, Ranger Erick, at the mouth of the cave, just as it was when it was first discovered!

We did a lot of this. It was a long way to the bottom.

No flash, no tripod. High ISO and slow shutter speeds. Cave photography is not simple. Most of the caves are just limestone rocks. This cave had some interesting formations at the end.

Between tours I visited another church. Saw this active ferry on the way.

Time for the afternoon tour.

Ranger Mary

Where we entered the cave.

They used to mine salt peter from the caves to make gun powder during the war of 1812. Interesting process but slave did most of the work by lantern light.

Ceiling dome.

They call this the coffin because of it's shape.

Up until the 1970's visitors were encouraged to add their names to the cave walls. Then they outlawed it. What remains is "historical graffiti." Write on it now and they call it a federal offense!

This belonged to a doctor who tried to use the cave to treat patients with "consumption."

Cave crickets. They feed above ground then go under to hide from predators.

A long day having walked over four miles and climbed up and down hundreds of steps. I will sleep tonight.