Walt Visits the Underworld

With the onset of August, the mind of a hot natured fellow like myself starts mulling over various options to keep his core temperature below that of molten lava.  The onset of August also brings about the urgency of the end of summer, cramming in that last little bit of fun before school starts (even though three-year olds don't really have a summer vacation, my mind still mulls these things).  What to do?  Ice pants have apparently not been invented yet.  I've checked.  But Mammoth Cave National Park has been invented (by God according to Walt).  Putty just happens to live a short drive from the "Largest Cave System in the World."  And its year-round temperature is somewhere near 55 degrees or, as Walt, Putty and I like to call it, 'perfect.'

So, underground we went, shunning the jackets, windbreakers and pants of our fellow, heat-seeking spelunkers.  This is Spickler man paradise.

This section of the tour is called 'Fat Man's Squeeze.'  Because 'Three-Year Old's Broadway' just doesn't have quite the same ring.  As you can see, Walt had no trouble navigating it.  I'm not sure how Putty got this picture without cracking the back of his head on low-hanging limestone.  As I recall, the ceiling was about four feet from the ground through here.

Before we embarked on the two mile, two hour Historic Tour, this is how I imagined most of the two miles would pass, with Walt on my shoulders.  But he proved me wrong.  He walked most of the tour including the much-touted 155 steps back up at the end of the tour.  He sprang up the steps with a vengeance.  Several of his fellow tourists remarked at his stamina.  All I said was, "You see that man in the cowboy hat, Walt?  Follow him."  To which Tex responded, "I wouldn't do that if I were you," obviously referring to some saloon-based behavior in which he intended to participate at the surface.  Despite the self-deprecating warnings of the Underground Jesse James, Walt almost stepped on his spurs several times on the way up.  All were amused, and I was relieved

Back in the light, we visited the above-ground portion of the Green River, saw some wildlife and deposited several dozen rocks in said river.  Part Two of Walt Visits the Underworld is coming soon . . .