After a quick look at the unfinished Crazy Horse Monument, we traveled west to the Jewel Cave National Park. We were just in time to catch a morning tour of the second largest cave in United States. With 151 miles of tunnels we were happy to see just 1% of this system. We descended 240 feet below the surface (by elevator) and then walked to "Spooky Hollow" which is 380 feet underground (over 700 steps).
The cave was discovered in 1900 and got its name from the calcite crystals displayed on every wall. It is a very dry cave and has bumpy knobs everywhere. The black colouring of the walls is because of the manganese present in the cave. Manganese is responsible for the variety of colour crystals (from white to dark purple). We learned about how a cave "breathes" in response to the atmospheric pressure on the surface.The ranger told us about cave exploration and how teams of 6 people go deep into the cave and plot more tunnels. Max was keen to do this. Some of the rooms are as big as a football field with 50 foot ceilings. But to get to those rooms can be a miserable trip.. Here, Simon checks to see if he would fit in the 8 inch openings.
Most of the rest of our day was spent driving across the plains of Wyoming and through the Big Horn Mountain Range. We spent the night in Cody, Wyoming – the home of “Buffalo Bill”. We definitely feel like we are in the Wild West.
I remember visiting these sites when I was a kid. I can't believe the Crazy Horse monument still isn't finished! I have a picture of myself in those caves and at mount Rushmore. Max and Simon, you'll remember this trip even when you are old like me!
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