Florida Caverns State Park
FL State Parks Quest: 3/175
Marianna, FL
30 April 2017
Introduction:
On a cloudy warm Sunday morning, my fantastic friend Alyssa and I grabbed our hardhats and hit the road to go spelunking in caves. Every part of that is true except for the hardhats, which they did sell at the gift shop, and would have been awesome, but the idea did not come to fruition. Luckily, nothing fell on our heads, and the caves were well lit.
The Gear:
The Story:
Intro to Florida Caverns State Park
I've been to Florida Caverns State Park before, but Alyssa hadn't. It's been awhile for me, so it was very much still exciting! I also had better company this time which made it way more fun. It is about an hour give or take West of Tallahassee in Marianna, FL.
The cost per vehicle with multiple people to enter the park is $5. I have an annual pass which lets me get in for free and each passenger in for $2. Caverns tours are a separate cost of $8 per adult which is paid for at the visitor center. Speaking of visitor center, that is where we drive to next. It's just a mile or so down the road if you keep going straight. There will be a right turn that leads to the spring, camping, and more trails.
We paid for our tours and got ready. There is a waiting area where you need to assemble before your tour. Also to note - The Florida Caverns Natural Area has been designated a National Natural Landmark (picture of the plaque below).
The cost per vehicle with multiple people to enter the park is $5. I have an annual pass which lets me get in for free and each passenger in for $2. Caverns tours are a separate cost of $8 per adult which is paid for at the visitor center. Speaking of visitor center, that is where we drive to next. It's just a mile or so down the road if you keep going straight. There will be a right turn that leads to the spring, camping, and more trails.
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| Dedication to the CCC workers who worked in the caverns from 1933-1942 making them what they are today Florida Caverns State Park |
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| Becoming a Junior Ranger is very tempting. Florida Caverns State Park |
We paid for our tours and got ready. There is a waiting area where you need to assemble before your tour. Also to note - The Florida Caverns Natural Area has been designated a National Natural Landmark (picture of the plaque below).
Caverns Tour at Florida Caverns State Park
While I have several pictures on this blog, it is important to note that it is difficult to take a good picture in the lighting. I am using my phone's camera and have absolutely no training in photography. I'm sure a skilled photographer can take some rad photos down there. You really have to go to get the full experience.
We were in a group of about 25 (25 is max for fire hazard) and the first tour of the day! That means we would be bumping into less groups throughout the tour. We were originally near the front but ended up towards the back because, well, we like to take pictures. There's an awesome stairway down to the totally authentic door into the caverns.
We were in a group of about 25 (25 is max for fire hazard) and the first tour of the day! That means we would be bumping into less groups throughout the tour. We were originally near the front but ended up towards the back because, well, we like to take pictures. There's an awesome stairway down to the totally authentic door into the caverns.
Some fun facts learned in the initial part of the tour!!
- First thing noticed - a big temperature drop. The caverns remain at Florida's average temperature at all times - so mid 60s (Fahrenheit)
- This part of Florida was submerged a long, long, long time ago when sea levels were higher
- When the sea level dropped, things dried, and seashells and stuff hardened into limestone
- Rainwater seeping underground created all of these badass formations
- The bulk of the work was done by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s until the United States entered WWII. They worked long hours for $1/day, and most of that money went home to their families.
- Caverns means a series of caves.
- There are three main colors of rock that naturally form in the cave
- White-ish - Calcite
- Orange/red-ish - Iron
- Dark-ish - Manganese
- Stalactites hang from the ceiling
- Stalagmites form from the floor under a stalactite
- Columns form when the two combine together
- Cave bacon / flow stone - formations that look like bacon or draperies
- Soda straws - hollow thin stalactites
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| Wide variety of soda straws, stalactites, stalagmites, and columns Florida Caverns State Park |
The stalagmites remind me of the cypress knees that I was going on about at Torreya State Park. They have a similar nature except one is limestone and the other is more of a tree root. Both wacky things found in nature that could also look more like hand gestures instead of knees.
In the following photo there is green on the rocks. This is algae, which is not naturally occurring in caves. Algae needs light and caves are dark, which means that the human-placed lighting causes its formation. The park has professionals come in to clear up the algae.
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| Florida Caverns State Park |
Cave bacon! And a selfie...
At one point we got to experience total darkness. It kind of messes you up. Also don't fall for the trick! A lot of people had their tongues sticking out when our guide turned the lights back on. Don't be one of those people.
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| Thermometer: ~65 degrees Fahrenheit Florida Caverns State Park |
Last time I went on a tour of the caverns, this was my favorite part. There was no water this time :( Such a consistent theme with how this whole day went.
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| 2017-04-29 No water! Florida Caverns State Park |
But have no worries, I found the picture from last time when there is water!
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| 2016-02-22 Water! Florida Caverns State Park |
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| We pose like this so much, we should make a calendar of our best 12, or a daily 365 rip-off-the-page calendar Florida Caverns State Park |
Below is the 'Rock of Many Names'. Why? Well it's a rock just chillin in the middle of the floor that as people bump into it, they give it a not-so-very-nice name of their choice. Poor rocky rock. I'm sure you served some sort of beneficial purpose at one point.
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| The Rock of Many Names Florida Caverns State Park |
Next we went by a column you got to touch! Touching anything in the caverns is a big no-no. Oils from your hands will prevent the formations from growing any further. This is the only thing you are allowed to touch. BTW: Our guides shirt reads "Cavers get to the bottom of things."
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| Florida Caverns State Park |
This room has a Christmas theme! Can you find the Christmas tree?
There were some tunnels in the cave that an average adult has to bend over a bit to walk through. We got a kick out of the very young girl in front of us that was about 3.5 feet tall who was bending over just like her mom to walk around. It was super cute, and I don't say that about human children very often.
We were at the end of the tour, and this is the last thing I got to see. Thanks for flicking me off, stalagmite! You're just like the cypress knees! Rude.
Sunlight! We aren't down here forever!
Hiking at Florida Caverns State Park
Following the tour, you have a few options on how to return to the main parking lot. You can take a 15 minute hike on the Beech/Magnolia Trail, head straight to the visitor center, or turn off onto the Bluff Trail which is a slightly longer hike that takes you through a tunnel.
This trail features my favorite - cypress knees! The real deal, not those rock impostors that were in the cave.
We arrived at the tunnel cave! It's actually very close to the parking lot because we can see the cars through the trees. We walked over to the other side of it and back. And by walk I mean moving through it pretending we're trains. I think there was more trail after it, but we have another state park to hit up!
This trail features my favorite - cypress knees! The real deal, not those rock impostors that were in the cave.
We also came across an interesting, totally natural formation that had no description. We'll just use our imaginations, but it probably has something to do with caves.
We learned about the leaves of a Southern Magnolia tree with a complete touch and feel experience. The leaves were indeed large and dark green, and the texture was waxy on top and velvety underneath.
We also saw some rock shelters and saw some other cool/pretty things.
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| Another pic with cypress knees in the background. I love them okay! Florida Caverns State Park |
We arrived at the tunnel cave! It's actually very close to the parking lot because we can see the cars through the trees. We walked over to the other side of it and back. And by walk I mean moving through it pretending we're trains. I think there was more trail after it, but we have another state park to hit up!
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| I accidentally took a very trippy picture of trees and leaves before heading into the tunnel cave. |
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| Alyssa outside the cave while I'm still in it Florida Caverns State Park |
The Spring at Florida Caverns State Park
The caverns are the primary draw to this park, but there is also a beautiful swimming hole at Blue Hole Spring.
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| Blue Hole Spring Florida Caverns State Park |
The water was too pretty to not touch it:
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| Alyssa touching water |
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| Bridge crossing over where spring starts to feed into Chipola river Florida Caverns State Park |
Foodies - Mashawy Grill (Marianna, FL)
A caverns tour and short hike is hard work! We built up an appetite. Alyssa also ran 8 miles that morning, so she had to be very rungry. We were in a small-ish town called Marianna. All the food places we passed were the usual fast food restaurants. After a Google search, there was a mysterious restaurant called Mashawy Grill right near the state park entrance. Not knowing what it was, we decided to check in and inspect the menu. At first glance, we saw white tablecloths on the table. Ruh Roh, we aren't dressed for this. However, the family already seated was in normal clothes like us, so we looked at the menu to discover decent prices. It's not any old grill restaurant either, it's Mediterranean food. How exciting! Looking at Google later, this place was 5 stars with over 30 reviews. How many places can say that? I would agree that food, atmosphere, and the service were 5 stars. The music playing, decorations, and ambiance all blended together for a wonderful Zen. Not what I was expecting to find in Marianna.
I was very much full after the app and entree. I ordered the house coffee because I wanted an energy boost and because I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. Everything was SO DELICIOUS. However, the owner (I'm assuming) came by and as soon as he mentioned baklava, the trash compactor in my stomach turned on and made room.
I of course wanted everything on the menu. I ended up with a three course meal, and no regrets, this has to be in the top 10 meals of my life.
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| Appetizer: Grape Leaves |
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| Entree: Moussaka (and Alyssa's falafel wrap) |
I was very much full after the app and entree. I ordered the house coffee because I wanted an energy boost and because I knew I wouldn't be disappointed. Everything was SO DELICIOUS. However, the owner (I'm assuming) came by and as soon as he mentioned baklava, the trash compactor in my stomach turned on and made room.
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| House coffee and BAKLAVA |
Next Up! - Falling Waters State Park!
Hurdles:
None! Everyone on the tour was super respectful including the children. Except for Lucas. He seemed to annoy his parents a few times.
Relevant Quote:
It's fitting to use a quote that was a sign on the park. Thank you CCC for all of your hard work so we can tour this magnificent part of Earth's beautiful, natural creations.
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| Florida Caverns State Park |
Other:
- This was my second visit to this FL State Park in my lifetime
- This was my third visit to a FL State Park in 2017
- This park is 3/174 for passport stamps
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