Aloha Everyone,
The Luray was discovered in 1878, but the history of the caverns goes back 4,000,000 years. The tours was $27 for adults and $23 for seniors. The hour-long guided tours covering 1 1/2 miles of underground passages are given every 20 minutes and we had at least 30 people in our group.
I have visited at least a dozen caverns just within the last 3 years and concur with the Smithsonian and National Geographic's comments that Luray Caverns have an "infinite diversity of beauty" and a "fairyland in stone".
Highlights of the hour-long tour included cathedral sized rooms with 10 stories high ceilings and the Great Stalacpipe Organ. The solenoid-fired strikers tapping stalactites produce tones similar to tuning folks. The sound was amplified in order to be heard by a group of visitors standing around in a large dome but haunting music was ethereal and moving.
The final stop was the Wishing Well. I took a photo of a sign showing how much money is being made each year which goes as donations to charities around Page County.
J.J .had gone shopping for our picnic provisions while we were exploring the cave. The three of us entered the Shenandoah National Park and went on a section of the 105-mile road called the Skyline Drive which runs along the ridge of a mountain.
The three of us ended our active and wonderful day with a healthy dinner listening to the rain falling on Honu's rooftop.
Aloha -- Cathi