Forbidden Caverns

During our first ever Waite Family Vacation, we thought we'd explore the Forbidden Caves.
You can check out the real details from their site, but the just of it is this: It's a big cave, pretty cool, but what is interesting {at least to me} is that it is located on family property. It's family owned and has been ever since it was discovered. So this little business of giving tours through the cave, is a family business.
And therefor ran as such. Our little lady tour guide, equipped with rain jacket and flash light, led us down, into the "forbidden cavern". It was very educational. We learned the difference between a stalactite and stalagmite and then we learned the names of all the various formations of rock and earth. {note: read quotations of our lady tour guide with a sweet yet heavy southern draw.} "Now this is a stalactite, because it has to hold on tight, and this one over here is a stalagmite because it might just grow up to the top." Now shining her flashlight to other various formations. "This one over here is what we call our Sleeping Alligator, and this one over there looks like a train!" Thus proceeded the tour.

Of course, bootleggers knew all about this secret cave and made it very useful!


One of my favorite parts was when we were instructed to gather around an area to witness a "fantastic" audio light show. We starred at a decoratively lit area while listening to a recording. I think it was talking about the old Indian tales of the cave, but I unfortunately couldn't understand what it was saying. Though, the light show was "fantastic", I should say! Our little tour guide stood behind us at the light box flickering the lights on and off for the great effect of lightening. She did a great job hitting all her cues.

The cave had salamanders.

I don't know what we were looking at. But we have gorgeous nostrils. Maybe it was a stalactite? Or maybe it was a bat?

What would a real live actual cave be without the sighting of an actual bat? This was my first time seeing one up close and personal. I thought it was exciting.