I am trying to make my way north to Utah, but am easily distracted. Driving to a destination is not really my thing. I much prefer the random unexpected stops along the way. Well this was certainly one of them!
Another u-turn required.
As I was driving I passed what looked like odd housing with solar panels. Then I kept seeing more and more communities of unique looking, some even underground, housing. The road I turned onto to take a closer look had a ‘no trespassing-private property’ sign.
I turned back to the original site I’d seen up the road and was able to pull in. The Visitor’s Office was closed but I wandered around where I was allowed and took photos of these houses which appeared to be made out of recycled materials.
The main building. I found out later they give tours and you can even book a stay in the houses overnight. It may benefit me at times to find a travel partner to look up things a little further in advance.
I googled to find out more about this company/cause. So I guess this is a global sustainable company. How have I never heard of it? Guess I’m just not in that field of work. But so cool!!!
The visitor’s center.
Tires and bottles are a material I recognize.
Each house has an out-of -this -world look to it. As if it’s from a different planet/universe.
I read that these houses are not cheap.
Solar a must. Curious what other clever sustainable energy they utilize.
I wondered if they helped design them or it’s up to the individual owner to figure it out based on materials. I’m sure a tour would be fascinating.
Testing site?
Other houses from afar. They had most of the area roped off which I respected. I wasn’t in one of my defy -the- rules mood.
So random to see this type of housing in the middle of the desert with nothing else for miles.
Glad to see some designers embracing this new attitude. I saw a sign for Eileen Fischer’s store when I was in Sante Fe which read: “ a simple wardrobe, a sustainable life”. We all need to consider our part.
I boon docked last night in a remote location and woke up with the sunrise. I knew I wanted to go to Sante Fe today to check out the sites and shops.
There were just a few things I had on my to do, one being the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
When reading my Jesus Calling which I still do every morning ( **thank you Denise Dewitt who bought me this book when I got divorced to help guide me) it said not to plan my days and let God make alterations to any agenda I may have. I feel like I’ve been living that way on this trip, so I quickly digested it and moved on my way. It didn’t feel so deep or reflective in the moment.
But that quickly changed as my day progressed and I saw how it was a very necessary first step in my Sante Fe experience. Upon arriving to the town I drove past the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, which opened at 10 am. I parked close by, knowing this city is quite walkable.
As I was seeking out some coffee to possibly kill the hour before the museum opened, I heard the church bells of The Cathedral Basilica ringing. I love the sound of church bells and I started walking faster to find the church it was coming from. Wearing my pigtails, cut off shorts and Bunbury tee, I was somehow spiritually led into their 9 am mass.
I am not Catholic. But I love the architecture of the historical Catholic churches and can appreciate their investment in art. Although I do not believe it should personally be invested in such extravagant expenses and that instead should be put toward the hunger/needs in the world as Jesus taught. But, not here to argue any of that. Just making it known that I am not Catholic.
The church bells were like a calling and led me to this gorgeous church with its doors open welcoming parishioners. I snapped this photo as I was making my way in.
Once inside I did my best to show respect of their service and attempted to follow along. It’s very habitual to me. My monkey brain was jumping all over the place with thoughts and most of them were not about church.
I watched the alter boy walk in circles with the priest and I watched the priest wave an incense lantern of sorts as if it did something holy. I was thinking how we are like zombies just following mindlessly because we love the comforts rituals and routine provide.
I closed my eyes and asked God to help me refocus on what He wanted me to hear. My brain was jumping across subjects from a new potential love, to my next trip move, to what am I doing with my life, to damn it Tonya listen to the mass! And honestly that’s when the priest hit my heart strings with an ironic message about “ change”.
I literally whipped out my journal and kept taking notes on his message.
Are we in the same position with our relationships with both Christ and family as we were in years past, or have those relationships evolved. Are we engaged in our days or mindlessly walking through them?
He spoke about how the Universe sends messages in so many different formats- people, nature, music, art, etc. stating clearly that we must let go of our pasts and be like a river that is constantly flowing. You all know how this spoke directly to my nature loving heart.
“ Die to old ideas and embrace new ones and a new reality”. Amen. Wow. Just wow. If anyone knows me, I needed to hear this. I tend to cling onto the past and have even done therapy to help understand why I get stuck. Mentally. Physically I can move and groove😁
So happy to have been given this opportunity to listen and hear this particular mass. It continues to encourage me to keep following my instincts but lose my mental grip I’m dragging along from past hardships.
I took this photo quickly as the service ended. I sat next to this painting and kept glancing at it. It disturbed me. Why does the person have Jesus’ head in their hands?As I left the service, I turned around and took one last picture before moving on with my day. First church service I’ve attended in literally years.
After my parking expired sadly again at Old Town, I googled the Native American Cultural Center that was also on my list of possible things in Albuquerque to check out. It was scheduled to close in 45 minutes but was only 7 minutes away. So I decided to go for it!
It was 10$ to get in but was perfectly small enough to do in an hour. I rushed through and did my best to appreciate their history. Not sure I fully understand all the political aspects of what was done to integrate them into the white man’s culture but it’s a shame, in my opinion, that it wasn’t adapted the other way around.
Pueblo Cultural Center.
Entryway.
A little history of their beliefs. Touching upon the story telling as a way that they record their past.
Loved that the main display was about the women in their communities.
The first to become a judge.
A designer of pottery. A skill and craft she handed down to her family.
Rina, an architect and Roxanne a sculptor.
Love this bad ass artist.
There was an interview on video to watch regarding their forced education and work as well as many old photos with history regarding the relocation of the Pueblo people.
A beautiful art piece regarding. Those are war gods.
After some much needed Texan BBQ, I was on my way to the next park with about one hour to go. When I passed this place I literally did a u-turn to check it out. I could use a cup of coffee.
I snapped this photo before walking in. As I opened the door I was surprised to find myself inside of a biker bar. I wasn’t sure if I should just turn right back around? But my pride got the best of me, so I made my way up to the bar where the bartender was already with a cool bottle of beer in hand.
Nobody cracked any sort of friendly look my way but I was kindly greeted by two dogs and I was thankful for their distraction.
So cool right?!
I asked if they had any coffee by chance. ( yes I’m the fool that thought this was a coffee shop because it said alien coffee and cold drinks). The bartender literally would not speak to me and she looked over at the old man at the end of the bar. I assumed he was in charge and would determine if I was going to live or die at this point 🤣
He pointed to a Kerig in the corner and mumbled something about not having cream. I told him I would drink it black. He then got up and went to a kitchen behind the bar. I had no idea why.
He came back out with a mug and put it under the drip, pressed the button then went back to his beer. I asked him how much? He obviously made up a number and said 2 bucks.
I grabbed the mug, a little sad it wasn’t a to go cup. I thanked him and asked if I could drink it out front on the porch. He probably was fearful of people seeing me at his place so he said I could drink it on the back patio. I kindly asked where that was, it wasn’t obvious. He annoyingly got up again and started walking. There was a gun laid out on one of the tables we walked past. Small handheld.
I followed him not knowing where he was truly taking me. He stopped and kicked a small pink ball that was on the floor then turned around. I asked him if he was looking for the dog and he said no, “I was seeing if you were following me”.
He popped open the umbrellas while mumbling. I thanked him again. Then I noticed my coffee mug was from a prison facility. I can’t make this shit up.
Snapped a quick photo of the mug but didn’t dare to take photos afterwards.
As I was sipping my decent black two buck biker coffee, I started planning my escape. I tried to see if I could exit through this courtyard I now found myself in,but the gates were locked. Unfortunately I was going to have to make my way back through the bar.
And then, 10 more Harleys pulled into the parking lot. There I was in my Florida plates minivan, wearing my Tevas and leggings. This was going to get interesting. I heard a bottle crash and everyone cheered inside. I thought no way could they be getting rowdy yet, it’s only 1 pm.
Well I braved my way back through making sure not to make any eye contact. I set my empty mug on the bar next to the old man and said thanks again and drove outta there. What an experience!! Welcome to New Mexico.
Border patrol.
After about 10 minutes back on the road the highway was coned off and they filtered everyone through a border patrol check point. I thought this was odd since it wasn’t at any border. I’d crossed into New Mexico from Texas miles ago.
I later encountered another one of these on a different highway. Guess I’m just not used to being so close to the border.
I decided to Road trip my way to the Guadalupe Mountains. I saw a pamphlet while staying at the Airbnb and decided to change my route accordingly. So glad I did.
The two lane highway was soon surrounded by mountains and I kept breathing them in. The morning view was spectacular.
I was surprised by the amount of Border Patrol I witnessed. The officers were sometimes out of their vehicles looking with binoculars into the vast desert. Other times I saw them going into an abandoned house in the small towns I passed through. I’ve never witnessed this type of patrol before but it’s obviously very common along this area in Texas.
I was also noticing how ranch overhead signs appeared over dirt roadways that looked like they led to nowhere. The extreme desolate space out here is eye opening. I am sure survival out here is a completely different lifestyle as well.
I pulled over when I saw this billboard cut out. I mean who wouldn’t?! So cool right?
As I got closer I could hear country music playing on speakers which looked like rocks. I believe they filmed an old western here with the young Elizabeth Taylor. This was a tribute.
Next along the route further up the highway was a pop -up Prada shop in the middle of the desert.
You can’t make this shit up, it’s so random. Apparently it’s purpose is as a modern art display put up in 2005.
Can you see me?
At the back of Prada people were hanging love locks to make a statement that they were there.
The plant life was new which I was enjoying. I wanted a change of scenery and I definitely got that! This looks like a desert palm tree to me.
I was loving the mountains. I was talking to Zoe on the phone while driving and I kept saying how I was frustrated that I couldn’t capture their unique colorations and magnitude. She wisely replied that they are meant to be witnessed and appreciated, not photographed. I believe that’s true of a lot of nature.
Always driving and trying to capture my view so I won’t forget.
Always love how a bridge frames the future. Symbolic.
I arrived at VanHorn starving, so I googled the best places to eat.
I ended up at this local restaurant called mom’s kitchen. There were 6 cars parked out front at 11:30 and by the time I left at noon the joint was packed.
As I kept driving toward the Guadalupe Mountains I did a u-turn to get a closer look at this great scrap metal art.
Someone was very clever. I find it interesting here in the west how you are just driving along a deserted road and then something like this catches your eye.
All this art was outside an appointment only upholstery store. Nothing to do with metal.
This type of cactus I hadn’t seen before. I also thought the alter was an interesting choice of structure added to the driveways art collection.
I had one more hour to go and started seeing new mountains pop up around me.
I felt like I was in a western movie.
I have not travelled out west much, except Vegas on business and Arizona many moons ago. I am just having a complete blast everyday witnessing new sites and terrain. I feel again in awe with the absolute wonder of nature and at peace with the world I’d tuned out in the meantime.
Today was my “do nothing” day. I did pretty well with that in the morning, but by afternoon I was itching to see something new. It’s addicting, feeding your eyes and soul with intriguing new sites.
I visited the Marfa store which was open today and bought a bracelet and tee. I need to avoid stores 🙂
I decided to go check out the El Cosmico campgrounds. It’s right outside of the downtown area, so not too far of a drive. I purchased a mineral water at their check-in store and then sat in their outdoor patio area to journal a bit and observe.
I realized I was a bit apprehensive about walking around without having a reservation. As if I were trespassing. I was wondering where that fear comes from? I mean what’s the worst that can happen? They ask me to leave? Where does this need to conform and comply come from? Years of being told as children what is right and wrong?
We live in a beautiful country -world that we belong to. Are naturally part of. Why as humans are we so preoccupied by owning/having territory to call ours/demand rights to things/ to have ownership and control. Consumerism. I digress.
The entryway.
I parked and walked right up to this building just checking it out. Wasn’t even sure if it was open or if I could go inside, but in my Marfa fashion, I just gave the handle a try and ended up in a cute little shop and check in lounge.
I bought a topo chico and sat in the shade for awhile just watching who was going in and out.
When I was at the Marfa store earlier two guys came in as I was checking out. Further up the road, I saw them drive by me when I was taking a photo of a sculpture, so I waved. Then as I was sitting outside here, they drove up and I asked them if they were following me? They were cute, tattooed, and from LA.
I decided to walk around and pretend I belong. There were professional photoshoots going on and I am sure many of their campers are continually featured on Instagram and in ad campaigns. I don’t think anyone working or staying there really cared who was there. The coolness of a community like this, is that they are all there to have fun, enjoy life and experience something new. I need to remember to get out of my head and quiet my monkeybrain.
This was one type of rental tent. It basically just has a bed inside. They have outdoor showers which is pretty cool but I bet a bit challenging in the winter or chilly mornings.
I loved these teepees! I want to be there with a lover one day.
The yurts had really intricately painted doors in various colors. Very cute. When I looked up pricing it was about 95$ a night.
Felt like a hippie commune.
The colors make it so much more interesting that the prefab trailers.
I’m sure it gets a little hot inside during the afternoons but they had tons of shaded outdoor seating areas.
Check out the modern one! Its a work of art among the antiques.
Sculpture, because it should be here.
They even had a stage which was a cool thought for summer nights. Also hammocks hanging in many of the trees.
Arial view. Interesting that it also has a Tesla charging station.
While in the Dallas area I drove 1/2 hour to see a pop up Frida Kahlo art exhibit, only to search endlessly for what was not there. I even asked a few locals for some help, but nobody had any idea about it. Shows you how the treasure hunt on the internet sometimes can be deceiving.
I started heading west with plans to go through El Paso, Texas into New Mexico. On the way I stopped at Fort Worth. It was a cute little city, much less traffic, and with few people on the streets. It was Sunday, Mother’s Day, so I imagined most families were celebrating at their homes.
I headed to the Contemporary Art Museum and again was thrilled with the architecture as well as the exhibits. It was only $8 to get in and we’ll worth it!
Outside the museum is this metal sculpture that you can walk inside and it has a hallow sound effect. Is fun to play with.
From the inside looking out.
Just a clean modern building mixing materials (cement, glass, marble) and beautifully set in their cultural district.
View from the inside. Love how the natural lighting comes in.
You can see the city in the background through the windows.
I walked down these narrow hallways that zig zagged their way to a single exhibit displayed along the windows edge. Clever design and such personal feeling with the intimate space.
She had an alien appeal. Facing the water pondering her purpose on Earth 😁
When I first walked up to to these moving words it said Fuck this and Fuck ……and it totally caught my interest. I wanted to capture it for my friend and fellow potty -mouth -bad -ass gal Susan Montanero. I watched and attempted to read and understand what this was trying to convey but it started to put me in a daze so I moved on.
I even love artificial trees! Are they fighting or desperately trying to hold onto one another. A fine line between love and hate. How twisted intimate emotions can be.
I can’t get enough of the architecture. I admire what they have done even with the subtle color difference in the marble steps and slanted ceilings. Brilliant. Am so happy my life has slowed down enough for me to appreciate the details. I enjoy where my head is at.
When I walked into this black and white photography exhibit, it stopped me in my tracks. I don’t know what it was. Being surrounded by so many interesting faces, or the way they were hung on the walls in such an artistic way, or the variety of poses.
Stunning to me. They were taken by an Iranian photographer named Simin who wanted to document rural America while asking each about their dreams.
There was another room of larger photos and each of the subjects had very small script laid over top of their exposed skin. It symbolized something, but I didn’t really understand it. But I do always love getting up close to art, it almost always takes on a totally different reveal.
This display showed all of the subjects in the same position, yet with different necklines which keeps it from being stale displayed as a whole collection.
I immediately recognized Roger Mapplethorpe. Ode to Jeff Stechschulte and I fighting to see the controversial exhibit in Cincinnati in the 90s. Talented and beautiful this man. Capturing things others wouldn’t dare.
Same artist that I saw in the portrait room in Oklahoma City Museum. It made me wonder if this was the artist that was commission to do Obama’s portrait. Kehinde Wiley. I think it is.
This is a photo of a mannequin man holding a naked live woman. It really made me stop because I think it is how women are seen in society. Unrealistic expectations of perfectionism.
Admiring work from afar…..
…then seeing the madness up close.
Love the symbolism of books with wings and how reading can take us to many imaginary places otherwise unrevealed.
I don’t know why but I have always loved Picasso.
And this pop artist, Lichtenstein.
I was enjoying the magical feeling of wonder captured in these paintings. Like a fairytale of sorts. Artist was Wael Shawky.
The artist was from Egypt. Notice the thoughtfulness of the solid vs watercolor vs linework. Tells a totally different story to me.
Ascending or descending? Shadows here also add to the twisted ladder.
I woke up Friday morning at my lake side secluded parking spot and spread out my outdoor blanket onto the lawn and listened to the birds as the sun rose. The heat was already kicking in and made it comfortable to sit wearing my short sleeve ‘Love Wins’ tee.
I started to journal and then decided to stretch this old body out for a bit. As I did so- many clear thoughts came to my head. It was beautiful. The clarity received and direction spoken. I jotted down the short sentences and made a point to slow down next week a bit.
I’ve been so energized. I’m sleeping well and hitting the road. Appreciating all I am taking in and wanting to feed my head with more. But I need to remember to take these moments in too. The quiet and stillness of the days.
I made a reservation at the Oklahoma City Art Museum for 1:30pm. I was happy they were open but hated the time agenda. I had to hit the road, it was going to be about a 2.5 hour drive there. I did make a curve ball visit to the OSU (Oklahoma State University) campus in Stillwater. It is a beautiful campus! But very big and I didn’t have time to explore.
Arrived easily off the highway.
Across from the museum was a municipal building with a beautifully landscaped park out front.
And a view of the city’s center.
I had heard about this museum when googling things to do in Oklahoma City. This museum boasted about holding a permanent Dave Chihuly glass exhibition. I had recently come to admire his work when touring Columbus, Indiana. (yes I know I am late to the game) In Columbus, Indiana they had a chandelier in their visitor’s center made by him. I was fascinated. How anyone could create such works of art with glass.
I mean look at this sculpture!!! I must have taken 10 photos trying to truly capture it.
A close up view of the details. Each piece is individually blown and purposefully placed.
On the third floor of the museum, the entire floor was dedicated to him. This is a photo of the hallway I passed under that had a clear ceiling with his glass work laid out in an amazing artistic manner.
They advised you to look up and find the cherubs. I had to go through twice because I could not take it in all at once. See the cherub in this shot?
I could have sat under this for hours if they allowed it.
This display captured an under water feel to it.
Each piece of glass is laid out as Dave directs for the perfect final display.
How he layers it for an overall effect with the various movements, perfectionism. In the background of this photo is a painting that Dave Chihuly did. This is the method of the madness he uses to communicate his ideas and concepts. Abstract art and then he directs the glass team as they do the labor.
This boat display made me wonder how in the world they ship all these pieces and layer them in so perfectly.
Could stare at this for hours and keep seeing new works.
A great shot of both boats.
He pushes the limits to say the least with this medium.
Love the shadows working with it.
The colors here are stunning and they way each piece could not be possibly duplicated.
I probably should have read about this one, but honestly I just liked it. Felt natural yet not.
Another floor displayed modern art which I always enjoy.
Again admiring the lighting and shadows.
Check out the subtle line work and varying colors. So subtle.
I really enjoy sculpture but also the painting of the couple in the background.
Are you bored yet? I wasn’t.
Close up view of the below painting. Think about the time and mood of each color.
In the end for me created a seascape.
I love how simple they made their signs about the art. Not too complicated with the wording. Enough information for you to look at it differently.
I absolutely LOVE that this painting is placed in the middle of the others. Taking center stage. Making a bold statement.
Ferguson represented.
Info about the artist.
Last floor was regarding illusions.
These columns were actually clear but gave you the illusion of color by the artist inserting color inside.
These acrylic tubes were all the same color from one view, but varied from the top due to the sizing of each of them. This artist was more of a mathmatician.
Last shot. For all my art lovers and past art team back home. I hope you enjoyed.
It is so important to continue to fill our brains with creative energy from nature but also from creative venues. I feel they are one and the same and possibly overlap. Or maybe I just think this way because they both bring me such a high. Looking at things I can’t possibly understand and seeing the gift of the creator.
Everyone that knows me has had to endure many of my stories about my Cambly students. They add so much to my understanding and appreciation of this world and I speak of them as if they are an integral part of my life. Because they are! I speak to many of them more than I do my own family, sometimes three days a week or more -for years.
I absolutely love teaching conversational English simply because of the quality of the people I have met doing so. Also because I am like a black box” to them. I do not know anyone that they know, we speak virtually and if they want to tell me anything personal it is always safe with me. It creates a beautiful trusting friendship.
I have students from 17 different countries. I would hate to say I have a favorite, but the Brazilian people are so genuine and family oriented I adore them! Their country is similarly diverse and struggles with extreme polar politics. Their hearts are so kind and the students I have had the pleasure to speak with are highly intelligent, spiritually awakened and have helped me with life probably more than I have helped them with English 😉
While out west, I knew one of my students was living in Oklahoma so I looked her up and stopped by her house to meet her live. It was the first student I’ve ever met in person! We’ve been speaking for about a year now. I’ve seen such improvements with her confidence and speaking! (It’s tough to learn English when you arrive to the USA in the midst of Covid with a one year old son. ).
She’s an excellent baker and is always making fresh breads and cakes! She totally spoiled me by having 4 different snacks ready for my arrival!
My student Paula and I.
Look at the beautiful layout she had for me! I was so touched! All traditional Brazilian recipes! Sweet potato bread rolls, corn cake, cheese pastries and a carrot cake with dark chocolate frosting! Needless to say when she asked me if I wanted any to take with me I jumped at the chance. It was a perfect breakfast for me the next morning.
Her son is now 2 years old this month. He is adorable and super smart!!! If I lived closer I would love to babysit him to give her a break! He’s the best.
She told me you can get these at Costco. Great bite sized snacks! Highly recommend.
Her husband came home so I took off to reach my park before nightfall. I was happy to have met him as well. They are a beautiful family!!!
Another one of my students was flying in from Rio to Dallas for work. He’s a pilot in the Brazilian Air Force and was coming to complete some simulation safety tests. He had to be Covid tested prior to coming and also prior to his return. I teased him that if he didn’t pass and wasn’t able to leave the country he could join my van life adventures.
I am happy that he is able to receive the Johnson&Johnson vaccine while he is stateside! There are no limitations to receiving in many Texas locations.
I hadn’t planned on going to Dallas, but my plans are flexible and I decided to head south Saturday to meet him. By the way, I am not a fan of Dallas. Maybe I need a personal tour guide for this massive, overly crowded, heavily trafficked city. Just sayin.
I picked Rafael up at the outlets since this is one of their annual stops to buy electronics and other products for their families which are cheaper here. I found a few breweries nearby (20 minutes away- everything is about that far driving) but we got stuck in massive traffic and ended up by the Dallas Stadium where an MMA fight was going on. Literally I think we drove in circles for 45 minutes.
I finally decided these breweries were not meant to be, so we decided to ditch those plans and go to a Brazilian restaurant near his hotel.
Rafael and me. Yes my hair is out of control🤣
We started with a caipirinha then switched to splitting all the local Brazilian beers they offered. We literally closed the place! It was such a great time. We talked about so many deep subjects and I was always impressed by his open mindedness and points of view.
I’d never been to a Brazilian restaurant before and he taught me how you flip the cards to green if you want the meat carvers to stop by and to red if you are taking a break or are finished.
I tried Pudim dessert which was interesting. The textures throw me, but the flavor was great. Sweet! It was so much fun enjoying his cultural food while catching up in person in the USA. I literally feel honored sometimes to have connected with such beautiful souls using the Cambly platform.
The rain started in the middle of the night in Rolla and made sleeping in the van much more comforting. But when I woke up the next morning and saw on the weather prediction that it was going to be nonstop all day, I decided to forego my original hiking plans and head west to chase the sun.
After driving an hour out of town, I passed a couple accidents and was not loving the rainy highways, passing the semi trucks and having the windshield wipers on high. It was wearing me out.
I need to name my van….because she did great through it all and I’m beginning to understand her a bit more. Any suggestions? It’s funny how relying on this van has me attached somehow. Maybe because I’m alone and she’s all I have right now🤣
I kept seeing billboards that advertised a cave tour and when I saw the exit I spontaneously followed their excellent directions through some rural winding roads and decided to take a break from the rain and take the tour. After all, what else was there to do in the rain?
When you walked into the lobby it was like a museum. Much more professional than I expected.
The gift store offered endless minerals.
This tour was a car ride through a cave discovered during the Civil War,according to our tour guide John. John sat me up front in his jeep because he found out I was a fellow Cincinnati native. He attended Roger Bacon HS and then after college went into the secret service and gave tours of the White House. He was 67 and had that corny sense of humor most tour guides do but I found him adorable.
He later asked if I was staying in Springfield for the night. I started to worry about his intentions but then he offered me some restaurant suggestions. As a rolling stone, I kept chasing the sun and jumped back in my van and drove west.
When entering the cave,
The tunnels were all well lit and we were told had electricity even before the city of St. Louis so people would travel from everywhere just to see the light bulbs.
He taught us how slowly the stalagmites grow and how the one on the right is dripping at an angle and creating what they call a curtain.”
It was truly breathtaking to think that this exists underground and one never knew about it. It was discovered when the owner of the land’s dog chased a small animal into a hole and fell in. The owner then lowered himself into the small hole opening to try to find his dog only to realize he could completely stand and walk around.
Nature’s creation. Take a moment. Really? Just from drips from the land above.
Its layers and history are beyond my comprehension.
This was a sinkhole. Apparently when it rains a lot, it actually fills up all the way. There are albino, blind salamanders and creatures living there. Completely blind due to the years of evolution in the pitch darkness.
John actually turned out all the lights and had us experience pure darkness which is only found at the bottom of the ocean or in caves. (I beg to differ because the black-out I experienced in India was similar)
Showing the different colors created from the minerals captured on the way down. Mind you, I am no geologist, so my terms may be wrong, but as explained before in my blogs, I just tell you like I hear it. I’m not a researcher.
Now I LOVE this. The owner of the land advertised that he wanted help to explore a potential cave and the answer came from a team of girls! They listed the women’s names on this wall and honor them.
Showing the front of the jeep looking through the tight squeeze tunnels we went through. Many times we had to duck down to not hit our heads.
This room was called the breakdown room. See the flat surface on the ceiling? Apparently it had a break in 1811- or so they think. There supposedly was a massive earthquake that year that caused the Mississippi to flow backwards for 2 days. (?)
All the different textures are great.
Various colors and sculptures created. I cannot imagine discovering all this.
Nature’s beauty.
Looks like a foreign planet or what I would see in the movies.
This tour was really worth the 30$
Nearing the end. There were two different levels we drove through.
Showing us exiting.
A view from the front. I felt honored not to be in the cart with everyone else. Traveling solo has quite a few advantages.
Many people tell me to “ be safe” because I’m alone I think. Or maybe just out of habit whenever a friend or family member travels. But why? Do I have any control regarding this safety concern and whether or not something goes wrong while on a trip? Does it simply express their love and concern for me? Or instead spread fear of the danger I cannot see? If something were to happen. Does it make them feel better because they told me to be safe?
Just something to think about and consider. Fear. Very prevalent in our culture.
Tonya Takes Thailand 