Luray Caverns, Virginia 3/2/2014

MARCH 2, 2014 (Sunday)

Woke up to partial clear skies. Michael and I decided to go for it and go to Luray Caverns before the big storm arrives. The storm is supposed to dump over a foot of snow in this area. Lexi opted to stay home as she wasn’t feeling well. We left around 11:00 AM.

The drive to Luray Caverns was about thirty miles and took almost an hour. It’s a slow and pretty drive. We sang, “Country Roads” a few times.

Gray day, fairly warm at the start then colder fast.

When we got to the Caverns – we used our activities card to get half off. We were able to get right into the tour (less than a five minute wait). The tour was approximately an hour. We went down around 160 feet and walked over a mile, but it was a very leisurely walk with lots of stopping and taking pictures. We also got to hear the organ in the chapel area where they hold weddings. The organ uses the stalactites as the pipes. Beautiful caverns.

The first guys felt cool air coming out of a hole in the ground the size of a quarter, and started digging.

The smallest among them scrambled in with a candle and looked around.

I couldn't imagine doing that. — I couldn’t imagine doing that.

Stalactite (Will hold on tight) — Stalactite (will hold on tight)

They call it dream lake, perfect reflection. — They call it dream lake – perfect reflection.

In candlelight, they were convinced that this was a moving ghost. — In flickering candlelight, they were convinced that this was a moving ghost.

Edie looked at this and said they look like curtains.

The guide said they are called draperies and are formed due to a slant the water flows over before depositing the minerals.

This one fell down about 7,000 years ago.

31 note pipe organ. They played it for us, kind of weird for all the work it took.

A memorial to those lost from Page County in WWI, II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan.

Two broken stalagmites left what looks like oysters on the half shell.

After we left the Caverns, we went to Harrisonburg (about 35 miles). We drove down the old town historic district. Lovely. Beautiful buildings and churches. We decided on a local place, The Capital Ale House, for linner. Was okay, not a favorite. Michael got a black bean burger and I got an omelette that had crab, mushrooms, and spinach. Michael’s black bean burger came with a big toothpick stuck in it with a slice of jalapeño (seeds and all) on the toothpick. He made the mistake of putting the toothpick in his mouth. When my omelette came out, I asked for ketchup. The server came back and gave us the hottest ketchup we have ever had. When we asked what the spice was that made it hot, she apologized, got a regular ketchup, and showed us how close the hot stuff was to the regular stuff. We thought she was trying to kill us. Between the hot ketchup and Michael’s jalapeño, we were pretty spiced up.

The Artful Dodger, our first choice, but they were having a Drag Queen contest...we thought it not a good fit for us for linner. — The Artful Dodger, our first choice, but the sign said something about a Drag Queen something…we thought it not a good fit for us for linner. Probably a fun place though.

Pretty woman liked the table decoration.

Crab omelette, hash browns and dill biscuit.

We left and started home but wanted to stop at a place Miss Marty had told us about – a nice grocery store called Martin’s. We did find it, and it was very nice. Got a few things in case we get stuck in our home for a few days due to the storm. We also stopped to get some gas ($3.19 gallon) so we’re prepared (hopefully).

A very inviting lounge in the grocery store.

With weather coming, better to have a full tank than a half.

We are now back at home – safe and sound. That was our day. Hope yours was great!