Hersheypark RV Campground

 

Monday's trip to Indian Echo Caverns.  Let it not be said, "If you've seen one cave/cavern, you've seen them all." Not true! Indian Echo Caverns is located just about two miles from the campground. It lies adjacent to the Swartara Creek and with a constant temperature of 52°, it provided shelter and a place to store food for the Susquehannoks who lived in the area but, by 1760, disappeared because of warfare and disease.

Behind me is the large open cave entrance. Unlike others caverns I've visited,
this was no accidental find.

I arrived two hours early for my 1:00 p.m.. and fortunately, this large group had room for one more for the 11:00 a.m. tour.

Suzanne, who grew up in the area, knew her stuff. Another fascinating and
educational tour with an outstanding tour guide. I'm four for four!!!

Descending 71 steps we came to the shoreline of the Swatara Creek and were given last minute
instructions on the do's and don'ts while in the cave. This cavern is a "living cavern" which
means it is still "growing." Rain water seeping through the ground and rocks is still dripping
and allowing the minerals to remain and form many of the features of the rock formations.

It must have been very difficult for migrating Indians and settlers not to notice the gaping opening in the side of the hill. Opening in 1929 commercially, it's existence was known well before Europeans set foot on this land.

Passing through many owners, they've blasted and provided easy access and concrete walkways
to accommodate the lucrative tourist trade. 

Where man meets Nature

Once inside and given time to acclimate to the darkness, you also had to wipe glasses that
immediately fogged up. The 52° was most welcome compared to the outside temperature of 27°.

What follows are some, not all, of the photos I was able to obtain. The flash was not helpful so I've identified my photo along side of the same taken from the website's photo gallery (professional, as you may guess).

My "corn on the cob."

Theirs

"Dead End". A sink hole from above caused a collapse of this formation.
The red object is a lantern they wired to show how dark it was in the early
days of cave exploring by candlelight. Suzanne would flip a switch and the resulting
complete and utter darkness was a very weird experience.

This cavern estimated to be about 400 million years old.

Formations formed from flowing water vs. dripping water.

Also know as "Flowstone".

Crystal Lake. 1 of 3 within the cavern.

          

Not ice (it's 52°), rather evidence of new "growth" that will form a new stalagmite. This
is why touching any of the rock formations in a cave is prohibited. The natural oil of our bodies
touching rocks will repel the moisture necessary for future growth of the calcium deposits.

The next three photos from their gallery:

The formation of a stalactite.

The Bridal Room; so called because of the rock formation and
its layered look of a many tiered bridal cake

When stalactites meet stalagmites they form "columns."

At one point in the tour, Suzanne related the story of William "Amos" Wilson, also known as the "Pennsylvanian Hermit".  She pointed out the rock ledge and area he made his home from 1802 till his death in 1821. A rope ladder would get him up and then he'd pull it up after him to insure not being bothered my man or animal. Nineteen years living in solitude and darkness except, perhaps, for the oil lantern he had. His food and clothing were bartered for the work he did for a neighbor, a Reverend. When he didn't show up for work one day, it was the Reverend who found that he passed away in his sleep. His journal is published: The Sweets of Solitude. A tragic tale indeed. His sister was hanged minutes before he arrived with a pardon from the governor. She was accused of murdering her son begotten by one of two men who seduced her. He never got over it and escaped society to live in solitude. There's evidence of smoke stains from fires he made below a rock outcrop that provided warmth above as he lay on leaves for bedding. His last two paragraphs from the manuscript I linked above:

As regards my own situation, few, very few of my fellow creatures it is probable could be found willing (after experiencing so many severe trails) to retire from the busy world, and be contented to abide alone for the space of almost nineteen years within the walls of a solitary cave, as I have myself done-my situation has no doubt been pronounced unhappy and miserable by many of my fellow beings-but, secluded as I have been from the society of man, depriving myself of the superfluties of life, I solemnly declare that I have enjoyed more real happiness in retirement, than what all the riches and superfluities of this world, could have afforded me.

My dear readers I must now bid you all an affectionate farewell-may the remainder of your days be spent in the faithful discharge of the duty you owe to the supreme disposer of all events–as your days shorten, may the sun of Righteousness brighten over you, till you arrive at the new Jerusalem where tears are wiped away from every eye, and sorrow is no more!……………………………………….AMOS WILSON.

After the tour, I visited the farm animals they have in their petting zoo for the youngsters.

Well, maybe not this fella.

Mister and...

Missus

I wanted to clean his face soooo bad.

And back to the campground I go. Another great day in the neighborhood. At the campground I did step into their Country Store. It's jam-packed with lots of goodies, wearables and food items. My favorite:

Oh wait, I am in Hershey's World aren't I. Go ahead with your snarky comments, I'm
ready. But know that only ONE (1) item was purchased from this collection. Oh yes,
and my 31st T-shirt commemorating my stay at a campground.

And there you have it. Another day zipped by. Tomorrow, I'm on an Historic Trolley Tour in Chocolate World just two miles away. Their season begins in April so I won't get to see the actual production line. I'm also missing their new attraction: Wine Pairing with Chocolate. "Our team has expertly chosen five pairing to please your palate and will guide you through the tastings of HERSHEY'S Chocolate and popular wine varieties." :-(

See you on the Trolley tomorrow.