Snowy Range Pass

Snowy Range Pass

Sunday, November 08, 2015

Florida State Park tour

It felt like it was time for a another break from my summary of the Canadian trip. After returning from Canada, we attended a rally with our FMCA club.  After the rally it seemed too early to head home, so we planned a four state park tour of parks we had not yet visited., all of which were located in the Panhandle of Florida.

First stop was the Florida Caverns State Park. This is a special place since it is one of the few state parks with dry ( air filled) caves and the only one that gives tours.  It also has a small campground.  We pulled in without a reservation and the person checking us in said that he was giving us his personal favorite site.  It turned out also to be the best site in the campground from our point of view.  From the campground, there is a short trail to the picnic area and a natural spring that provides an old fashioned swimming hole when conditions permit.  It is a quiet and peaceful place to stroll.










The cave tours are conducted by the park staff on scheduled times.  Like so many great recreational spots around the  country, the CCC had a hand in construction of the park facilities. Our guide happened to be the chief cave explorer for the park.  She provided a great tour, explaining all the of the caves features and history.  Like most of Florida, this area was at the bottom of the sea in the distance past and evidence of that fact can be seen in many parts of the cave. 
















The clearest symbol that most of us can understand is the fossil shark tooth protruding for the ceiling of the cave.




If you enjoy caves, this one should be on your list.

7 comments:

Paul and Marsha Weaver OCT. 17, 2009 said...

We almost camped at that SP. I have never seen a cavern with color. Makes it even more beautiful.

Paul and Marti Dahl said...

That shark tooth sticking out from the ceiling is amazing! I'd like to know the story behind how that got there.

Travels with Emma said...

I wonder how many of those CCC boy statues can be found around the country.

Gypsy said...

The campsite looks so peaceful and beautiful. I used to love caves, Mammoth Cave, Luray Caverns, etc., but no more. I don't want to get into small spaces underground!

Wanderin' said...

What a nice park. The caves would sure be fun to explore.

Sherry said...

We did the "route 10" parks one spring and really enjoyed Florida Caverns. Your cave pictures are really great. I doesn't look like you even used a flash. How fabulous to have the chief cave explorer for the park as your guide. I doubt it gets any better than that.

Unknown said...

Did you go swimming?