We went to Bon Echo Park to see the pictographs and ended up in some caves

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.

Farm country

What to do? What to do?
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.

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.

Douglas

Lots to do in the area!

Picnic area

confection stand

Located in Douglas, Ontario (near Eganville) it is a lovely spot. I would advise you to arrive early, and if it is a nice day, take a picnic lunch. They have some picnic tables under a shelter. Otherwise, there is a delightful café in Douglas.

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!

Many have visited the area!

The area is a pretty one, with rocks, hills, water.


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.

Our guide, Scott,
in the red hat!

Click to enlarge - good info!

 A 10-year-old girl found a fossil, took it to Tom, who promptly went exploring down the sink hole. Alone. I couldn't believe it! On his second visit below ground, he cleverly took a raft, a rope, and a camera, but no one to help him!

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.

It was 13 C. during our visit!

It was quite cool down under, something I figured out, since our well water is always cold! Lake water, at the bottom, is 4 C., even in winter. I did some research, curious about my old lake.
It was hard to see the colours, although there are lights rigged in the 'roof!'

Billions of mollecules of water have eroded it, to form small and large caves. They fill the caves back up in winter, to prevent crazy people from going in and getting in trouble, as the lower portions are underwater when it is not drained. You can see the high water marks!

First you go down, and then, obviously, you go back up again!

Scott explains about the stick
holding up the rocks!

 

They have a teacher's guide on their website, with a worksheet for students. It was a grand trip, ending up with lunch at the pub. It was amazing hearing the rainwater dripping down through the rocks.
You can hear it on my video!