Goodbye Kentucky, Hello Nashville

This is our last day in Kentucky as we venture forth to Nashville, TN.  Our trip is only 73 miles to Grand Ole RV resort and we are not sure if we are stopping to see any sights on the way. Our stay here Kentucky was very memorable especially with Mammoth Cave. Kellen and Cesare explored for two hours and over two miles of deep cave.  At one point we were 320 ft. below ground. The world down below seems so alien to us.

Mammoth Cave was used to produce gunpowder from saltpeter during the war of 1812 and after the war the need for saltpeter "petered out" as how the phrase was coined. Years after the war, the cave was sold and tours were to had to this day. Our tour was two hours, but in the 1820's one could take a short tour or a long tour. The short tour being six hours and the long tour fourteen hours. Fried chicken and wine were served as meals on the tours and those who attended were rich white folk from the east or Europe. Their tour guide was usually a slave who worked for tips. If the tourists were disrespectful to the guide, he would simply blow out his torch to remind them who was in charge. Tours back then were extremely treacherous since there were no paved walkways and handrails. The male tourists wore three piece suits and the woman wore Victorian dresses with corsets and high heels.

Our experience was much more tame, but still exciting and nerve wracking. Cesare has a fear of heights and there were situations where he climbed over one hundred steps within an open cavern only look down seventy feet of rock.  There was a crossing known as the "Bottomless pit" with a grated walkway. Cesare had a couple mild anxiety attacks.

Later that evening the family returned to Mammoth Cave Park Amphitheater for a presentation about the mysteries and myths of Mammoth Caves presented by ranger Charlie. He's a adjunct professor at Kentucky State and offer history and facts about the cave.

Final thoughts
Kentucky offers a lot beauty to behold with its rolling hills, dense forestry and big sky. There are some similarities to Maryland too as we drove through portions of the state. One being the horse racing industry here, but there is non specific aspect here that feels like home. The locals are very friendly and courteous with their slight southern draw in there voice. We really enjoyed what Kentucky had to offer and would love to come back.