Happy Birthday !

Today was very special - Mimi’s birthday !! By prior agreement, she doesn’t have to do anything objectionable today. That includes food preparation and doing dishes. Thank God birthdays come only once a year! Her presents included a thick bird watching guide, an 8 in 1 folding garden implement, three Suduko books (keeps her out of the bars at nite), and candy.

I think the best part of the birthday was visiting Kartchner Caverns, though. Both of us love to visit new places and see interesting sights. This was no different. A little background: In November of 1974 two young cavers were exploring the limestone hills at the base of the Whetstone Mountains. In the bottom of a sinkhole they found a narrow crack leading into the hillside. Warm, moist air flowed out, signaling the existence of a cave. After several hours of crawling, they entered a pristine cavern. During the fours years of secret exploration, the discoverers realized that the cave’s extraordinary variety of color and formations must be preserved. They told the property owners – the Kartchners, about their discovery in 1978. The cave’s existence became public knowledge in 1988 when it was purchased by Arizona State Parks. Negotiations were held in secret for years with State officials until State Park status was obtained to protect the cave.

The reason for the high degree of secrecy was that it is a living cave – still in the process of forming stalactites and stalagmites. It has a very delicate environment – 99% humidity and 70 degrees year around. Some formations are so delicate that the air disturbance from walking by them will cause them to shatter. (I didn’t ask how they knew that) That environment is preserved by extraordinary measures. The caves are still sealed off from the hot, dusty outside environment by four hermitically sealed passages that tourists have to pass through. Then comes a misting of water to settle any dust or dirt on them. No one is allowed to touch the walls. (I think they would prefer if we just stayed in the visitors center). The sights inside are amazing, with sheets and columns of formations – still wet and in the process of formation. There is a light and music show in the main cavern – a very nice end to the tour.

The visitors center is new, and nicely constructed.

Mimi approaches the desk to pick up our reserved tour tickets. The painting on the wall is of a main column in the Throne Room.

Informative displays get us ready to see the actual sights.

Some of the cave formations.

Actual photos are not allowed to be taken on the tour, unfortunally. So you will have to make the visit yourself.

This is Oscar, the tree on our SKP lot in Benson. He is waving hello.

The big cactus are in bloom around here. This is a Cholas cactus in the front of the lot.