It had been a long weekend, and not in the best sense, after fierce windstorms took out power to the house. It was time for a little outing--nothing recharges K quite like getting out and about. E and K took off to Dixie Caverns, a show cave very near Salem, Virginia. J and K had been there on a date years ago, but we had not returned. E initially went grudgingly--but by the end of the tour, he was checking out brochures for Luray Caverns and Shenandoah Caverns, planning future cavern trips.
The caverns, open most every day of the year, offer 45-50 minute guided tours at a reasonable entry cost (free under 5, $6 ages 5-10, $14 for others). If you can navigate substantial stairs (up, down, and uneven), this makes for a fun, easy outing with very little prep. Our guide was quite knowledgeable of both the cave's interesting history and of the science involved in the cave, making for an interesting visit that encouraged curiosity and questions.
Much of the cave tour, visitors are actually "in" the mountain rather than beneath ground level. Formations include tons of "soda straws" and flowstone as well as a bell-shaped formation known as the Wedding Bell (yes, you can get married there). The natural entrance is visible from inside the cave, prompting a better understanding of its history. At the end of your tour, you'll have the option of spending a few moments in total cave darkness.
If you go, dress for 55-60 degrees, and wear shoes that can take on stairs. There's a gift shop with some rock souvenirs, an attached antique mall, a campground, and ample free parking. The site itself is right off the I-81 exit aptly named Dixie Caverns. You can even leave your mark--while you can't touch cave formations, you can write in a chunk of clay that was harvested from the cave. E wants you to know he was there.
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