Appalachian Caverns

Part of the fun of homeschooling is the flexibility to take field trips whenever and where ever you want.  There's so much around to learn from and taking the time to visit points of interest only serve to enrich the learning process.  It's also a treat to visit these places within the local community, short day-trips with minimal cost.  The Appalachian Caverns in Blountville, TN proved to be a worth while adventure!

Any time you get the opportunity to visit an underground world, it never disappoints.  Several years ago we took a trip to the Lost Sea near Chattanooga, TN... the home of largest underground lake.  We rode a glass bottom boat on this underground masterpiece which was quite the sight to behold.  It is funny how things change as you grow regarding things like caving.  As a youngster, spelunking was a thrill and I never felt any apprehension about slithering through 12 inch openings of rock on my stomach.  My only fear then was the cave crickets that might fall on me...heaven for bid!  When we visited the Lost Sea it was soon after Sarah was born and I remember having this sick feeling like why in the heck was I in a cave with my then four small, dependent children!  After all, what would happen if there was an earth quake?  Or the power were to go out and I had to find the exit in pitch darkness.  Yeah, you don't know dark until you've been in a cave!  Although a marvel of nature, I remember vividly the feeling of wanting to get above ground...quickly.

Fortunately, this time didn't bring on those feelings.

Here we go into the big dark hole (300 ft deep)!!  Another great aspect to homeschooling is we can go during regular school hours.  We usually end up with discounts and private tours!  Unfortunately, picture taking stinks as my camera was desperately seeking light...even with the widest aperture and flash. Had I had more time and tripod the photos could have been a little better quality.  Did I happen to mention it's dark in caves?!



Course the cave has an interesting history, supposedly used during the civil war to treat soldiers as an infirmary.  Arrowheads and other artifacts also placed various Indian groups within the vicinity.  Plenty of stalactites and stalagmites which also have an interesting story.  The evolutionist mindset (which is the majority of our scientific leadership) believes they take millions of years to form.  Creation scientists have another theory, that it's more about the right conditions that cause these to grow fast or slow not time.  Believers owe it to themselves to explore both theories.

Here's a full sized bat hanging from the ceiling about the length of a chicken nugget.  The bat nursery had been closed to the public, but apparently during this time there are thousands in one part of the cave.  Rather disappointing that we didn't get to see them, since it's not every day you get to see that many bats in one area!  This cave also had an underground lake with a variety of fish, most of them blind due to the lack of light.

Noah and cousin Jaden having fun no matter where!

Afterwards the children enjoyed some gem mining.

Sarah enjoying playing in the sand.

Course Lilly loves collecting anything, especially shiny, sparkling gems!




Thankfully, there was a chart to help us classify the finds.



Cousins Anna and Laken sharing their treasures.



What a cool local trip, something everyone will remember and another opportunity to wonder at creation.