Crystal Caves

I recently found more of our lost pictures.  These were taken back in May/June when we went on our family vacation.

When we went there we were a little bummed that their cafe was closed, especially since we hadn't eaten anything before we drove over here.  At least their gift store has chips and cookies for sale that tied us over until we could drive over to Cabela's later.  I asked if the restaurant would be open later in the year, they were not sure if it would be or not.  *shrugs*

Crystal Caves is about 70 miles north/west of Philadelphia.  The tour costs about $9 per adult(12 and over) and is about 50 minutes long(including a short video on the history of the caves).  The temperature is about 52 degrees inside year round, so you might want a light jacket.

This was our cheerful guide through the caves.  She had been giving tours to elementary students all morning and was thrilled to have a group of adults, lol.  Though our lack of questions I think threw her off.

This was the first stalagmite that we came across.  Unfortunately this one is dead.  I know stones aren't alive.  What I mean is due to the oils from people's skin this stalagmite will not be growing anymore.  So even though they are cool looking if you see them, don't touch them so they can continue to grow, possibly joining to a stalactite to form a column one day.

I thought the flowstone in this area was really cool looking.  One of the cool thing about flowstone is that it proves that these caves were under water at one time.

The picture above reminds me of melted wax.

There are several caves that lead off the main cave.  This being the largest of them, that is home to a colony of bats.  Though being the middle of the day we didn't see any bats.

Here's an entrance to another cave.

If you look closely you can see some of the crystals here.  I will admit I was a little disappointed when I found out they were all baby crystals, but I'm sure one day these caves will be beautiful.

More flowstone.

These are baby stalagmites that will never grow any further.  Unfortunately in the past the tour guides use to let people break off a stalagmite and take them home with them.  The silly thing about that is that they usually crumble about a week or two later.

Since these are already destroyed, this is one of the few things in the cave that you can touch.

The large rock on the top, actually broke off of the ceiling of the cave during one of the last major earthquakes.

It's hard to see, but there are baby stalactites here.

From this platform you can survey most of the caves below.

These baby stalactites are actively dripping water.

Another stalagmite.

They use to store vegetables in this cave.  So you can see evidence of them by the discoloration of some of the flowstone.  Unfortunately even though the temperature of the cave would be wonderful for storing produce, the humidity made them mold extremely fast.

Another Stalagmite.

More Flowstone.  Overall it was a fun tour if you're in the area.

Other things in the area:

Hershy Park

My Path will weave

The way you say

There is no doubt

You'll create the way.

-- William O'Brian