We did! |
| Amazing geology in the area |
Friends of Bon Echo run a boat out to the cliffs. Unfortunately, we drove an hour and a half only to find that it doesn't run on Wednesdays, they have lost a couple of Captains, and have a restricted schedule. Were we ever upset!
That was the sole purpose of the trip!
Hubby, the eternal trip and transportation expert, planned ahead. We watched the weather, left in the rain and drove out of the clouds into the sun. He phoned two weeks ago to find out how often it ran. You know you cannot depend upon web sites with these volunteer-run groups.Bon Echo does have a couple of employees, but I know how these groups depend upon donations and government grants from Trillium and websites are not always up-to-date.
The drive was a pretty one, by the time the sun emerged.
I cannot complain, just bemoan the wasted gas.
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| Farm country |
Hubby, again, had a good idea. He consulted his mappie things, thought about it.
He came up with Plan B.
Now, originally, we wanted to visit this place with my hydrogeologist daughter, but catch as catch can...
We ended up driving another hour to visit the Bonnechere caves. Wisely, we'd stopped for brunch.
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| Check the restaurant hours: Open ATE 2 ATE EVERYDAY! |
What I like about the caves is that they are now revamped, originally opened in 1955, they are well below ground, but able to accommodate walkers and wheelchairs.
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| Douglas |
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| Lots to do in the area! |
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| Picnic area |
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| confection stand |
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| You notice the water drains to the left, as well as downriver, and goes underground! |
"The first official acknowledgement that there were caves along the historic Bonnechere River was in 1853 when Federal Government Geographer Alexander Murray put two words, "SUBTERRANIAN CHANNELS", on the river’s original map."
You can see where the water goes underground, and on the other side of the hill, it comes out again!
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| Many have visited the area! |
Scott, our interpreter, is a delightful young man, who tells the story of the caves, and how they were opened up to tourists.
A personable guide, he is a bit tall to be a spelunker, but was quite entertaining and informative in telling the story of Bonnechere Caves as a tourist attraction.
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| Our guide, Scott, in the red hat! |
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| Click to enlarge - good info! |
We learned about fossils, saw some, stalactites and stalagmites, learned about rocks of the Ordovician period.
Foolish Tom, who developed the caves, risked life and limb during his first and second trips down in the early 50's! It is quite safe for visiting now. One of the people on our tour had visited when the caves first opened in 1955. She didn't look old enough! She was bringing her children and grandchildren through.
They dammed the water in the upper section in 1955, which allowed them to take people down.
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| It was 13 C. during our visit! |
It was hard to see the colours, although there are lights rigged in the 'roof!'
First you go down, and then, obviously, you go back up again!
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| Scott explains about the stick holding up the rocks! |
You can hear it on my video!
11 comments:
Shame about the Bon Echo trip as the petroglyphs are wonderful to see. But the day turned out a huge success with a trip to the caves.
You know I think I would be worried the dam would go and the water run back in if I went down there
So, the boat captains they "lost" might have been lost in the caves?
Just kidding.
Well, better thee than me, my friend, because I don't do underground. When Dick explores caves, he leaves me somewhere far, far away. (Claustrophobia and several other kinds of phobia, and vertigo, and whatnot. I'm actually shaking, sitting here in my chair.)
Must tell Himself about the caves, however. He always likes to know these things.
Glad your hubby had a Plan B.
Luv, K
Sounds absolutely fascinating to me. And those are great fossils! Bon Echo has been on my list for a while, but maybe I'll add the caves now.
What an awesome set of caves. It's too bad they had to put a board walk in.
Hari OM
What an adventure that turned out to be, visiting the Lord's plumbing system!! Plan B's are always worth the making. Thank you for all the piccies, it felt like being there. YAM xx
We're going back to Bon Echo, for sure!
They had to put the boards in, Red. The floor is difficult and slippery otherwise!
Isn't that a marvelous place? We haven't been out to the caves this year, maybe next. Bon Echo was on our list for this summer as well. We're trying to figure out what weekend we can fit it in. If not, it will be top of the list for next year. This StayCation business can certainly keep a person busy.
Oh good -- just ignore the question I asked when I read your previous post (the one with the video)...here you answered my question. And your pictures are wonderful. What a fascinating place. And so glad your trip was not wasted.
Wow I didn't know such places existed here in Ontario.
I've been to the caves in Collingwood and that's where (as a child) I discovered my claustrophobia. It's a shame as spelunking fascinates me.
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