The Photography of Kurt F Fink (kfink.portfolio.com): 2019

Tuesday, October 1

Luray Caverns, originally called Luray Cave, is a cave just west of Luray, Virginia, the United States, which has drawn many visitors since its discovery in 1878. The cavern system is generously adorned with speleothems such as columns, mudflows, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and mirrored pools. The caverns are perhaps best known for the Great Stalacpipe Organ, a lithophone made from solenoid fired strikers that tap stalactites of various sizes to produce tones similar to those of xylophones, tuning forks, or bells.^[1]

Sign at Wishing Well rock formation describing donations made to Page County charities

Visitors enter the cave via a path that curves down through the caverns, eventually reaching Dream Lake, The Saracen's Tent, The Great Stalacpipe Organ, and some large stalactites and stalagmites. The path proceeds to the Wishing Well and a war memorial honoring veterans from Page County. It then ascends to a small passage past the Fried Eggs rock formation and returns to ground level through a smaller passage to the entrance. The entire trek is 1.5 mi (2.4 km) long and can be completed in 45 minutes to 1 hour. Visitors can carry small pets on the cave tour, and leashed pets are permitted on the grounds outside the cave.^[2] The caverns now offer step-free access. While this extended pathway will allow for wheelchair access, the caverns aren't advertised as handicap accessible. ^[3]

Saracen's tent is considered to be one of the most well-formed draperies in the world

Thursday, September 26

Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Drive and Luray Caverns

Recently, The wife and I visited Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. We stayed a wonderful RV Park (Luray KOA) in Luray, Virginia. The park was only minutes from Shenandoah NP and Luray Caverns. The drive along SKYLINE DRIVE in the Shenandoah National Park is beautiful. The numerous overlooks provide excellent photographic opportunities. The hiking in the park exceeds expectations (you better be in good physical shape to hike most of the trails).