Monday, April 10, 2006
Longhorn Cavern
A short distance down the road is another state park — the Longhorn Cavern State Park. This is a day use park whose main attraction is a large cavern. According to the web site “ The cave was first formed when the ground levels of water began to drop. As this downward movement occurred, the water began to dissolve the limestone. This downward drainage continued until great underground stream beds were cut out of solid rock. It is this unusual combination of dissolving and cutting by water that makes Longhorn Cavern one of the most unique caves of the world..”
In the 1920's the rancher who owned the cavern installed a large wooden floor in one of the large chambers, and held dances — this chamber proved to have great acoustics. In the 1930's the land was given to the state for a park. The CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) cleared additional tunnels and rooms and installed hundreds of lights allowing it to be safely viewed by the public. Today concerts and special events are held in main room of the cavern.
One of the large rooms in the cavern.
Looking down one of the tunnels.
This section of the cave had a high ceiling in other parts even I had to bend over.
A couple sections of the cave had crystals on the walls. Coloured lights at this spot showed the crystals off.
Our campsite at Inks Lake State Park.
Sunset view from our campsite.
In the 1920's the rancher who owned the cavern installed a large wooden floor in one of the large chambers, and held dances — this chamber proved to have great acoustics. In the 1930's the land was given to the state for a park. The CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) cleared additional tunnels and rooms and installed hundreds of lights allowing it to be safely viewed by the public. Today concerts and special events are held in main room of the cavern.
One of the large rooms in the cavern.
Looking down one of the tunnels.
This section of the cave had a high ceiling in other parts even I had to bend over.
A couple sections of the cave had crystals on the walls. Coloured lights at this spot showed the crystals off.
Our campsite at Inks Lake State Park.
Sunset view from our campsite.
If you wish you can sign our guest book
We have added a web page with a map of our current location and route to date