Coming to a cave near you
By Mike Fink
CNN Headline News
(CNN) -- This summer I had the opportunity to visit the largest commercially developed limestone cave in Idaho -- the Minnetonka Cave. I was expecting to learn about its geological history, but our guide was more interested in pointing out formations such as "The Seven Dwarves," "The Bride and the Groom" and "Miss Piggy's Tail."
The ranger identified another geological treat known as "cave bacon," which are ribbon-like deposits of calcite that run along the cave's ceiling and walls. After emerging from the bowels of the earth, I realized that cave tours are generally not geared toward the scientifically inclined.
I remember visiting Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico, a few years back. Its various subterranean chambers fascinated me. My wife and I spent several hours exploring the cave, easily losing ourselves in the prehistoric setting. At the end of the tour, we were shocked to find an elevator cutting through the cave, leading directly to a bookstore and coffee shop. (OK, I admit we took the elevator and strolled through the bookstore.) But even at such a renowned cave as Carlsbad, it's remarkable how caves lend themselves to commercialism.
Consider Grand Canyon Caverns in Peach Springs, Arizona. It features "the largest dry caverns in the United States" but also a hotel, restaurant, RV park, convenience store and gift shop. Like Carlsbad, Grand Canyon Caverns features an elevator to the caves. And if that weren't enough, this place even maintains an airplane runway.
DeSoto Caverns in Childersburg, Alabama, boasts a long history of tourism. The cave lays claim to the oldest cave graffiti in the United States, dating back to the 1700s. Today, it features a biblical light and fountain show, as well as waterfalls. Above ground there's a campground, gift shop, and something its Web site calls "interactive fountains." There are also plenty of rides including go-carts, paddleboats, and even "potty racers," which are little cars shaped like toilets.
One of the more interesting caves out there is actually a restaurant. The Caveman Bar-BQ & Steakhouse in Richland, Missouri, gives people the chance to chow on ribs and steaks, inside of a cave. (I don't know if they have "cave bacon.") The cavern maintains a cool 69 degrees and is decorated with antique furnishings, soft lighting and waterfalls. By the way, this cave also has an elevator.
The Lost Sea caverns in east Tennessee features a glass-bottom boat and a half-acre underground trout-stocked lake. When you're finished appreciating the abundance of rare anthodite cave flowers, check out the ice cream parlor, trading post and glass blower outside.
Apparently, natural caves lend themselves to be "dressed-up" a little in order to attract visitors, or at least, to entice visitors into spending money. In fact, there is a whole subterranean genre of these so-called show caves. For some, these caves can be an offbeat mix of commercialism and science. But admittedly, they provide the opportunity to enjoy these spaces without discomfort or danger. And who knows, maybe show caves will inspire the next generation of spelunkers to new geological or entrepreneurial advances.
