Crystal Grottoes Caverns

Ribbon formation aglow in the spotlight

Variety of colors and textures within the caverns

Yesterday was a sparkling clear spring day. Kevin had the day off, and we decided to take a drive over the mountains and head to nearby Boonsboro, Maryland to visit Crystal Grottoes Caverns. The caverns are tucked away in a natural setting off the side of a scenic country road.

When we arrived, Kevin and I were greeted by an extremely friendly chocolate lab, who simply could not stop wagging his tail. He followed us through the door into the entrance to the caverns where we met our guide and paid for our tickets. We were the only visitors that afternoon, so we were treated to a private tour.

Crystal Grottoes was discovered in 1920 and became open for public viewing shortly thereafter. It's biggest claims to fame are that it holds more formations per square foot than any other cave known to man and that it is the most naturally kept cave in the world.

As he led us through the caverns, our guide used a big spot light to point out various formations - stalactites hanging from the cave ceiling and stalagmites rising from the cave floor and columns where the stalactites and stalagmites joined to form one continuous formation. He showed us thin and wavy ribbon stalactites that glowed in an array of colors as he shone his light on them, thin,white soda straw stalactites, pebbly popcorn formations, and glistening flows that sparkled with tiny crystal infusions. In addition to the natural features of the cave, we got to see a couple of cave denizens, tiny sleeping brown bats perched up high within crevices in the cave's ceiling. Apparently, there are frogs that also make the cave their home, but we didn't see any of them on our visit. Our guide also pointed out areas of the cave where further excavation work is being carried out in the hope of opening up even more of the caverns and discovering more natural riches in this underground wonderland.

As we completed our tour, our guide suggested we stroll down the nature trail behind the caverns. It was such a beautiful day, which made this an excellent idea. We found ourselves on a path running alongside a peaceful, slow moving stream, a sea of wildflowers surrounding us.

Kevin by the stream

Me amongst the honeysuckle

Our greeter was all tuckered out by the time we departed :)

Crystal Grottoes Caverns is a fascinating natural phenomenon and a great place to go to learn firsthand about caves and enjoy a very pretty area, too.

For more information about the caverns go to:

http://www.crystalgrottoescaverns.com/