Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Blanchard Springs

Blanchard Springs is an ideal place to visit in the summer. The springs run year-round, so there is a waterfall there even in the driest of times. And also, the caverns there stay a cool 58 degrees. So last weekend I was able to escape the heat and dropped down below the surface for a tour of the caverns.

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Blanchard Springs Caverns are filled with stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and flowstones. It wasn't the easiest place to take pictures in, since it was fairly dark.

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The Forest Service operates the cavern tour, along a trail that was opened in 1973. This was just a few decades after the cavern was explored, it had remained hidden for centuries. Although there was evidence of humans there, a 1,000 year old skeleton was found in the cave. The poor guy got stuck down there, and this was before the Forest Service paved a path and lit the place.

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We didn't make it to the springs, which is ok since it was sunny and the light wouldn't be right for taking pictures. So instead here's a shot from last year:

Blanchard Springs