Family Vacation Caving Experience

I never really thought of caves as beautiful places. Having lived in Missouri for a substantial part of my life, caves were just underground holes. They held little interest for me since I had every phobia one could associate with caves such as fear of the dark, claustrophobia and bats. After moving to Illinois I never gave the Missouri caves another thought.

All that changed when I met my husband, Butch. He had been caving numerous times and really enjoyed them. So as we were planning our family vacation he suggested visiting caves in Missouri. Now the dilemma, do I let fear rule my decision or do I go along with the plans? Listening to our daughter excitedly ask her father about what we would see and do in the caves, I decided to put my selfish side away and go with the flow. I am extremely glad I did.

Most of our vacations involve camping. This one would be no different. While getting ready to go I was busy with packing the tent, coolers, clothes and bedding. There was little time for me to focus on the phobias I knew I would be facing in the near future.

We were on our way. Our destination was Sullivan, Missouri, off Interstate 44 about an hour and a half drive southwest of St. Louis. Meramec State Park encompasses over 6800 acres and is the home of Fisher Cave. It boasts beautiful campgrounds for RV and tent camping. There are walking trails of various lengths for those outdoor enthusiasts wanting to commune with nature.

Spring had just arrived and the foliage was coming into full bloom. As we approached the cave entrance the butterflies in my stomach was a close second to those flittering from wildflower to wildflower. My moment of truth was upon me. Could I really overcome my greatest fears and enter this cave?

There is a bulletin board with information on it that warns of a 100-foot duck walk. I knew I could do that and if they warned of this wouldn't it just stand to reason they would warn of other tight places? Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.

At the entrance to the cave we met the tour guide. He is a Naturalist with the parks department. After he took our $6 to take the tour we were ready. Our guide went over the rules for the tour while he led us to the gate. There is a second gate there that used to guard the entrance. This he explained it was replaced to allow the bats an easier entrance and exit from the cave.

The mere mention of bats sent a tremble through my system. I had seen all the movies and didn't want to be trapped underground with bats. Little did I know the education I would receive by the time this tour was over?

Our guide explained how the bats were beneficial by eating the mosquitoes in the surrounding area. They did not swoop at people but their diving action was actually a matter of aerodynamics. Bats actually use built in sonar, as they can't see. Thus the saying "as blind as a bat." Moreover people are brushed by bats, which startle them, rather than actually hit by bats. Also, there are no vampire bats in Missouri caves usually just the Grey bat and the Eastern Pipistral or Indiana bat. Hence, hearing this my fear was quieted. Suddenly I wanted to see one up close and learn more.

We were each given lanterns to carry. The guide told us it's required that he carry 3 light sources. With a lantern in my hand my fear of the dark was all but forgotten. "Along the tour," the guide explained, "I will be turning on lights to illuminate the formations." Our lamps would light the rest of the tour.

We hadn't walked far when we were informed to shine our light toward the wall. There was a red salamander. It was so small that if not pointed out we would have missed it. The guide explained this was only one of the numerous cave dwellers we would see. I was hooked, as I love any kind of wildlife.

There ahead was the duck walk. "Ok, You can do this." I kept telling myself with each step closer I took. To my relief the walk was just low ceiling with the left side open. Even with my claustrophobia this situation didn't cause me a problem. The end of the duck walk opened into the most beautiful site I had ever beheld.

The guide had turned on the lights to illuminate the room. There were stalactites suspended from the ceiling and stalagmites reaching for the stalactites above them. Formations called soda straws hung from the ceiling. Some dripped cold water that seeped from the ground above the cave. The colors ranged from the deepest rust and grays to the most pristine white covering the active flowstone. This last formation flowstone reminded me of freshly fallen snow as the emerging sun glittered on it. It was truly an awe-inspiring sight.

As we traveled the trail within the cave the guide explained the history and the expanse of time each of the formations had required to form. This cave was thousands of years old and still growing.

We encounter more cave life such as albino salamanders and fish. There were bats suspended from the ceiling. Miraculously the fear I had experienced had disappeared. I found myself intrigued that they weren't scary but actually fragile as we were asked to not shine our lights on them. Waking a bat will cause it to use all its energy to survive.

Coming to the end of the trail we entered the ballroom. Thus named because earlier generations had used this room to throw parties during the hottest summer months. The caves cool 60-degree temperature offered much needed escape from the heat and the acoustics enhanced their music.

Our guide asked us to turn off all our lights. After a moment of internal panic I reluctantly hit my switch. I had positioned myself so I could touch my husband's hand just before we were plunged into total darkness. The guide asked us to wave our hands in front of our face. We could see nothing. Once the lights were turned back on I was able to swallow the lump that had formed in my throat and calm the trembling inside. These feelings were replaced with a sense of pride at having conquered my deepest fears.

Back at the campground later that evening I thanked my husband for suggesting Fisher Cave for our vacation. This miraculous place had opened a whole new world for me. It also let me experience growth as a person.

We have returned several times and have added the other caves in the area to our vacation destinations. These included Onondaga Cave, Cathedral Cave and Meramec Caverns, all of which are situated along Interstate 44 and within a half hour of each other. While these caves are beautiful and breathtaking in their own right, none will be as special to me as Fisher Cave.