When I was twelve years old, my parents took our family to the 
. I remember standing in line waiting for our tour and when it was our turn to go in, I stood at the entrance and refused to go inside. I had visions of being stuck in the cave and imagined spending the rest of my life in a dark, creepy cavern. No way was I going in....looking back now it is funny how willing I was to let my siblings go in! My sweet dad sat outside with me and waited while the rest of the family went inside. They came out excited and full of details of the things that they had seen inside the cavern and I have always wondered what I missed seeing that day.
This past weekend I packed up the kids for the short drive to Marianna to finally experience the caverns for myself. I am not a huge fan of enclosed spaces, but this is one of those things that I have wanted to do since the day my siblings emerged safely from their venture into the caverns. Plus my own kids have been dying to go and I can't let my six year old be braver than me!
The tours leave every half hour beginning at 10 am and can fill up quickly, so the kids and I got there in time to get in on one of the first tours. Walking up the beautiful, lush tree lined walkway to the Visitor's center; I could feel the stress of the busy week leaving my mind. My peaceful moment lasted about a second which is when my eight year old stepped on the back of my flip-flop, breaking the strap and reminding me that everything I do with six kids is always an adventure. I entered the cave with my heart thumping and with one shoe off and one shoe on. This should be fun!
With or without shoes, the cave was amazing. Mesmerizing is a better word. As we entered the caverns, which are about 20 degree cooler than what the temperature was outside, my fear of enclosed spaces melted away. It did help that one of the first things the tour guide points out is that you are never more than two rooms within the cave away from an exit. Even as a writer I am at a loss for the words to describe the beauty that lies within the caverns. The guides do a great job of keeping the tour entertaining for all ages. Each room you tour has a name, like the wedding room, and is made up of dazzling stalagmites, stalactites, and columns. It is so neat to hear how the cave formed and how it is still changing every day. They encourage you to take pictures but be careful and pay attention when you are taking them, there are some low places where you need to be sure and duck your head. I saw a few photographers bump their heads trying to get the perfect photo.
The area surrounding the cavern is rich in history but what we found so interesting in how the cavern was actually discovered. The man who owned the property had a tree fall down and when he was having it removed he discovered that underneath was a cavern. And he started digging. My kids loved hearing that story and as soon as we got home they happily agreed to pick up some sticks that were left in the yard from the last big storm in hopes that maybe they would find a cavern underneath. I wish I could convince them that maybe a cavern lies underneath the piles of laundry in their rooms and get them to clean that up as anxiously!!!
When you are done with your tour be sure and give yourself time to enjoy some of the nature paths. There are a few to chose from, some long and some short. Of course, on this one day when my shoe breaks, my kids suddenly decide to become avid hikers and were determined that we should take the longer path. It was beautiful and really fun, but I am still picking the splinters out of my shoeless foot! During that hike my children decided that as a family we should do more hiking and outdoor adventures together, I am still beaming from that.
Not only are the Florida Caverns State Park a great, fascinating and educational place to visit, but it is also a place to get you to slow down and enjoy some family time. From our one day at the Caverns I am already busy planning our next outdoor adventure. It is priceless to think that it was on this trip to Marianna that my children realized that we as a family have a whole lot of adventures to share together.
When planning your visits be sure plan to take a guided tour Thursday through Mondys. No tours are given on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Tags: Caverns, Florida, Marianna, Nature, State Park
Blythe NewsomeBlythe Newsome is a single mother of six children ages 6,8,10,12,14 and 16. While a morning radio show host, her family was featured on an episode of the Supernanny in 2007. The reality of this single mom who spends her days getting GI Joes out of the toilet, explaining to her girls that you can not cut your hair like you do your Barbie’s, convincing herself that ketchup on a hotdog counts as a vegetable and letting America see what hides underneath her couch cushions made her family one of “America’s Most Asked About Families” from the show according to producers. ABC came back to film the 100th episode which aired in March 2010. When not playing the role of nurse, teacher, chef, referee, taxi driver, coach, or housekeeper, she writes a syndicated column called Flirting with Forty.
“As a Tallahassee native, I am passionate about this city, raising my children here and I am always searching for new adventures for us. When people think about a vacation, this is the place to come. The city is rich in history, annual events and provides people of all ages with something to do”. Each week Blythe and her children will share with you the stories and pictures of the adventures that are waiting for you in Tallahassee!
