Curious Craig - Bats.jpeg

Hi, my name is Craig and am a Cave Snob

That’s hard to admit ’cause I didn’t even know I suffered from the affliction until recently. I see signs touting the spectacular Onondaga Cave in Missouri. But hey, I’m from Kentucky, home of Mammoth Cave. The largest cave system in the world and one of the 10 Natural Wonders of the World.  Like I invented the darn thing or something. Nonetheless, I’m totally prepared to be unimpressed with this cave, you’ll have to Show Me Missouri, besides I’m here to see the bats anyway.

To the Bat Cave

Huh?, What? There are no bats?  What do you mean there are no bats? Like many North American caves, White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) has infected many of our caves.  First noticed in Onondaga in 2012, WNS is a fungal infection that grows on bats during their hibernating season causing them to become active prematurely and burn through their fats stores. The fatal infection has killed millions of bats that would have saved farmers billions by eating the crop harming insects. About 95% of Onondaga bats have perished as a result of this infection.

Besides being The Show Me State, Missouri is also known as the Cave state, second only to Tennessee in the total number of caves. Onondaga is considered one of the states’ most spectacular caves; earning it a National Natural Landmark designation.  Onondaga cave was first discovered in the late 1800s and really gains fame during the 1904 Worlds Fair in St. Louis. Tourism reaches its peak in the 1950s-60s with advertisements painted on barns along Route 66  and is part of Missouri’s history.

“If You Want Your Eyes to Go Gaga, Come and Visit Onondaga!”

– 1950s advertising slogan

Onondaga and Mark Twain caves are the last of 8 Missouri “Show” caves. Popular before the advent of Air Conditioning, the caves were not only used to produce beer but became cool beer halls and destinations for picnics, dances and other gatherings. These caves were also even used as theaters, I would certainly see a movie here.

Onondaga Big Room
The Big Room

Known for its abundance of stalactites, stalagmites, rimstone dams, flowstones, soda straws and cave coral the cave is an amazing visual tapestry. Add to that a stream that meanders all through the cave and you have the making for an extraordinary cave tour.

Rock of Ages Onondaga
Rock of Ages

Holy Flowstone Batman

The tour of the cave lasts 1.5 hours and covers about a mile of walking. The temperature is a cool 57 degrees year round. The young guide leads us from the concrete bunker airlock and the temperature drops 20 degrees immediately. It’s like walking into a cooler. We descend down along an amazingly clear blue-green stream. Known as the Lost River, it is a tributary of the Meramec River that runs into the hillside thus creating this marvelous canyon underground.  The guide provides a mix of historical information on this cave specifically as well as information on cave structures, in general.  I try my hand at some different photography techniques in an attempt to capture the amazing views the cave offers. I’m about 1/2 way through the tour before I figure out the best camera settings to use now wishing I can start the tour over.

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The Cave so nice I spelunked it twice

I return to the cave a few days later for another event hosted by the Onondaga State Park. They are catching, banding and releasing ruby-throated hummingbirds.  I have never seen such an event and certainly want to give it a go.  The organizer’s fashion nets over existing hummingbird feeders and we wait for them to figure out how to navigate through the nets into capture.

I wait about twenty minutes and begin to really miss the bats’ contribution to insect-eating. The bugs are just eating me up and I grow weary of the whole process. I know the next cave tour is in 10 minutes so I pack up and grab my tripod and head back to the cave.  I have never been compelled to revisit any of the Mammoth Cave tours twice in a week, so Missouri, I guess you Showed Me.

Curious Craig
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7 thoughts on “Onondaga Cave – Leasburg, MO”

  1. Pingback: Kentucky Caves and Kangaroos | Curious Craig

  4. Not only is your photography superb; but also is your word crafting! You truly captured your adventure.

    Reply

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Training going up mountain

Mt Washington

Mt Washington Weather

What started out as a fairly pleasant morning atop New Hampshire’s Mount Washington, a beautiful but relatively small peak, turned into a weather phenomenon that would go down in history.  Mount Washington experienced the windiest day it has ever seen … though to call it windy would be an understatement. On April 12, 1934, the Mount Washington Observatory anemometer recorded an astonishing wind speed of 231 mph.  Or the equivalent of a F4 tornado!

Not only did this small observatory make history, it continues to maintain its reputation of having some of the “worst weather in the world,” according to meteorologists.

Photo by Ryan Knapp/MWOBS

Who would have thought that this little peak in New Hampshire, a place that appears so beautiful and serene to distant onlookers, would be home to the worst weather in the world?

Going Up Mt Washington

The autumns day drive up to the mountains base, however, is beautiful, with trees showing off their reds, oranges, and yellows as if they were contestants in a beauty pageant.

Mount Washington is part of the Presidential Mountain range in the White Mountains. It is a favorite for avid hikers.    But today, we opt to take the Mount Washington Cog Railway instead of hoofing the 6,000′ ascent hike,

The Climb

Cog Railway Engine

The Cog Railway, a charming, rickety train that looked like it was designed by a steampunk enthusiast. The conductor, a jolly fellow with a beard that rivaled Santa’s, assured us that the train was perfectly safe, despite its antique appearance.

Training going up mountain

As the train chugged up the mountain, the views grew more spectacular. We passed hikers who looked at us with a mix of envy and disdain. “Suckers!” I thought, as I sipped my hot cocoa and watched them huff and puff their way up the trail.  I think to myself, one day I’ll do that hike….one day.

Mt Washington in Fall

Arrival at the Observatory

Stepping off the train at the summit, I am immediately struck by the view. The sky is a brilliant blue, the kind you only see in postcards or after extensive Photoshop editing. The air is crisp and clean, with just a whiff of pine.

Mt Washington Observatory

The observatory itself looks like a futuristic fortress, perched atop the mountain like a sentinel watching over the world below. I half-expect to see Dumbledore standing at the entrance, staff in hand, welcoming weary muggles. Instead, I am greeted by a sign pronouncing the worst weather in the world along with a list of those who had died on the mountain. A somber reminder that Mother Nature don’t play.

We find a series of exhibits showcasing the harsh conditions that Mount Washington is known for. There were photos of ice-encrusted buildings, windblown scientists, and snowdrifts that could swallow a car.

The Observation Deck

After a cruise through the little gift shop,  we step out onto the observation deck, and are greeted by a view that can only be described as breathtaking. Rolling hills stretched out as far as the eye could see, painted in autumnal hues. The wind, while present, was more of a warm gentle caress than the usual face-slapping force. I feel like I am standing on top of the world.

Atop Mount Washington

Tippy Top

While exploring the summit, I stumble upon the Tip Top House, a rustic stone building that dates back to 1853, making it one of the oldest structures on the mountain. Originally a hotel, the Tip Top House has weathered countless storms and still stands strong, a testament to the resilience required to endure Mount Washington’s notorious weather.

Stepping inside felt like a journey back in time, with the stone walls whispering tales of adventurers who sought refuge within its rocky embrace. The Tip Top House once housed an entire herd of sheep during a particularly brutal blizzard.  As I look around, I couldn’t help but admire the blend of history and practicality, making the Tip Top House a charming highlight of the visit.  But a herd of sheep, really??

Tip Top House

 

The Descent

We board “The Cog” for the ride back down, and I marvel that the chairs flip to the opposite direction of the ascent. This is to ensure that though the train is at a steep angle, we sit comfortably level.

Mt Washington Cog Railway

As we near the base, the conductor makes a final announcement. “Ladies and gentlemen, I hope you enjoyed this rare treat of perfect weather on Mount Washington. Don’t forget to buy a souvenir T-shirt that says, ‘I Survived Mount Washington’s Weather – On a Good Day!’”

Back at the base, I take a moment to reflect on the day. Visiting the weather observatory on Mount Washington during such impeccable conditions felt like winning the lottery. It was a reminder that even in a place known for its ferocity, there are moments of calm and beauty.

Curious Craig
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National Weather Center- Norman, OK –

Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains 

During this visit, there is large hail,  50 mile per hour winds, and rotating thunderstorms. For many local news stations, this would warrant wall-to-wall coverage of radar shots and dire prognostications. Here it’s a mention during commercial breaks with “no interruption to our scheduled programming” It’s a place where afternoon drives are met with increasingly ominous skies. A place where commercials for storm shelters are as common as car commercials. A place where even a budget campground has an underground bunker.  Is this the twilight zone. No, it’s in the middle of Tornado Alley. […]

Curious Craig
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