Diamond Caverns

Next on our journey is Diamond Caverns in Park City Kentucky.  This area is loaded with all kinds of caves.  The largest one is Mammoth Cave which stretches over hundreds of miles. 

We visited a very interesting cave called “The Lost River Cave” which is very small compared to the others in the area but very unique. 

You start the tour as a walking tour down what a trail that used to be part of the cave thousands of years ago until the sides of the cave began to erode, eventually causing the roof to fall in. 

Once we got to the opening of the remaining cave, there was dam that was built in the 30s to provide electricity to the cave where they had built a dance club.  It had a dance floor that is still operational.  They rent it out for weddings and other events. 

Here is where you board small flat bottom boats for the underground part of the tour.  Once all of you get into the boat with your tour guide, you start into the cave where the cave ceiling is only about a foot above the top of the boat.  All of the people have to lean into the boat with your head down close to your knees.  Here is a picture that shows what I am talking about.  

The cave was used in the Civil War for troops to hide out as well.  There are burn marks inside on the roof of the cave where they used their candles flame to burn their names or initials that are still visible today.

This area is also known for the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln and where he grew up.  They have a memorial park at what was the farm that he lived on that was established in 1916 as a National Park.  A walk up the 50+ steps will lead you to the cabin entombed inside that was thought to be the actual cabin that Abraham Lincoln was born in.  Turns out after 40 years that the cabin was on display, they found out that it was not the actual cabin, but that it still represents the same type of cabin that he would have been in. (Bet that was an embarrassing moment for the park system?) 

Down the road is the Knob Creek Farm that was Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood home.  Here is where Abraham and a friend were playing down by the creek.  Abraham fell into the creek and both he and his friend could not swim.  As Abraham struggled to stay alive, his friend grabbed a tree branch and shoved it into the reach of Abraham to grab onto saving his life.

Next stop on the journey is Natchez Trace Wilderness in Hohenwald, Tennessee.