Jewel cave and Wind cave.
A raining day, what do you do ?
Just go underground, in the caves.
Flowstone and stalactites.
And the popcorn
The caves are unique for there huge amount of boxwork
By now, they have discoved 167 miles
of caves in the limestone rock.
This is about an estimate of 5% of the
total area. Jewel caves as discovered
by now, is the second longest cave in the world.
Then up to Wind Cave. 18 miles further away,
but they don't know if they are connected or not.
This time, I went for the 4 hour spelunking tour.
Crow-ling on hands and feet. pass-ways of less than
10 inches wide, 20 feet up or down. Each time,
the question, head first or feet first, and most
of the time, turn halfway. Good that they provided
the helmet, with head light (and 2 backups).
Knee and arm protection and especially the gloves.
We (the small group of 3 persons) had to leave
all wallets, keys and camera's behind. So, no
pictures of the special boxwork formations, popcorn,
frostwork that we could see from close by.
Another special visit was to the mammoth museum.
27 thousand years ago, one of the caves collapsed,
and formed a sinkhole and pool, with steep walls. This when
the mammoth's with the large tusks, where still
roaming the planes. The assumptions is that the animals
just slided in the pool looking for water , and could not
get out. The ages covered this with sand
and mud. Discovered recently, and now an active
side for paleontologists. With a toothbrush, examining
layer by layer, discovered now 62 mammoth skeletons,
among other animals as camels, bears, lamas.
Check out the large tusks,
PS: I was also at Crazy horse 15 years ago, and yes it looks
like nothing is changed. The face finished, and the hole under
the arm. But every week, they blast a few tons of rocks away.
Pure private project, mainly paid by the 9 $ income fees.
At this rate, removing all rock around 500 ft high is enormous.
The 4 heads of Mount Rushmore fits in the head of Crazy Horse.
At this rate, still more than 50 years to go.
PS: On a side tour in South Dakota, thanks Lukasz, for the tips
in Glacier Park.
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