VIDESH YATRA: BHAGA-5 ( LURAY CAVERNS & CHARLOTTESVILLE)
7TH JUNE 2008
Hi…. Hello……&….Namaste…..
Here is my Videsh Yatra: Bhaga-5 for you. As I told you, this Saturday i.e. on 7th June '08 we went to see the famous Luray Caverns at Luray, a place in Virginia. It is natural caves. Before going there, my imagination about these caves was it may be just like rocky caves as I have seen in BADAMI (Guhantara Devalayas) – monolithic caves, caves at Chandavalli, Chitradurga or caves at our famous HAMPI & there will be small entry with thick darkness where we have to walk few yards with a candle in our hand etc... Like that. But when we reached the spot you know, my whole imagination was uprooted!! The outside area was so developed with open grasslands, beautiful gardens, fountains, Information Center, Gifts center, Restaurant, Rest Rooms ,Sign boards etc really I astonished to see that the very spot itself. Entry fee is $ 26 that includes Maze Play in the specific garden (it is like chakrabandha entering one side & coming out the other end avoiding so many blocking ways in between).After entering through check in gate, we went stepping down towards the caves.Oh!! what wonderful caves they are .white, red ,black, blue & greenish formations with dripping drops from them. I was dumbfounded whether I was thrown to Pataal Loka or Nag Loka depicted in our Legendary. It is one hour guided tour deep into the caves nearly 1 ½ mile on walk all through. The walking paths are made of gripped tiles along with railing wherever required & sufficient lighting arrangements at exact and appropriate places. Very fantastic.We were told that most caves consist of a layer of limestone, a mildly acidic mixture of water and carbon dioxide for over million of years. All coloration in the caves is natural, caused by the mineral content of the seeping ground water. White is the color of calcium carbonate in its pure form. Other elements absorbed from the soil and rock layers create impure form of calcite. Reds and yellows which dominate are caused by iron and iron-stained clays. Black is the result of manganese dioxide, blue and greens are the result of solutions of copper minerals. There are many factors that shape and mould these fascinating formations. Some of those factors may be rate and direction of the seepage, the amount of acid in the water, the temperature and humidity content of a cave, the influence of air currents, the effects of above ground climate, the amount of rainfall and the density of the plant cover. We saw the Dream Lake, Saracen's Tent, Wishing Well and the world's largest musical instrument (The Great Stalactite Organ) locatepd in the Cathedral in the caves. It was surprised to know that marriages are held here.
These caves are discovered by Andrew J.Campbell & Benton P. Stebbins. Regarding these caves, the Smithsonian Institution report of July 13 &14,1880 comments "…..it is safe to say that there is probably no other cave in the world more completely and profusely decorated with stalactite and stalagmite ornamentation than that of Luray." The Encyclopedia Britannica devoted an unprecedented page and a half to the cave's wonders. I think you will be amazed to see the two-three photos of the caves. Rest of the things about the caves I will explain in person.
Vegetarian Burger in a Restaurant was our lunch that day as no other veg. eatables were available there. Sometimes to gain something, one must be lose something("kuch paane ke liye kuch khona padta hai"). Remember this always.
Next we went to a place of strawberry Farm for strawberry picking. Our son-in law's friend Mr.Harsha and his wife Mrs.Aruna joined us on the way. That strawberry picking was very nice. It was a Farm of 4-5 acres strawberry grown area. Of course, there are other farms of cherry, litchi, kiwi, pear, peach, apple &others along the side. The owner's stall was nearby. Usually entry to the Farm will be $ 2 so that one can enter the Farm & pick and eat as much fruits as he can; it's all free. But the fruits he collects in the Basket & brings out should buy at $ 2 per pound. That day for our surprise the entry was free. We entered the Farm with baskets with watering mouth to pick & eat strawberry fruits. I went to the middle of the field to pick big size fruits but tell you I dint eat not even 10 -15. Since it was too hot that day, we couldn't remain there for long time and returned to the stall with collected fruits & bought 2 pounds for us. Really we enjoyed picking strawberry & took some snaps.
Then we went to Harsha's home which is located in the city called Charlottesville (pronouncing as sharletsvil) After taking some rest, we had Uddina vada & Tea and went out to see the city. This Charlottesville is said to be a rich men city. The 3rd ,4th and 5th Presidents of US i.e. JAMES MADISON ,THOMAS JEFFERSON and JAMES MONROE are from this city whose life size statues are installed there in memory of them. We had a round in the famous big bazaar and had gelato an Italian ice cream. We had a nice dinner of Bisibele bath & Mosaranna in Harsha's home and started our journey back to Virginia.
This is all about Bhaga-5.Our next visit is to New York & New Jersey this week end. So, you may wait for Videsh Yatra: Bhaga-6.Till then take care. Bye.
7TH JUNE 2008
Hi…. Hello……&….Namaste…..
Here is my Videsh Yatra: Bhaga-5 for you. As I told you, this Saturday i.e. on 7th June '08 we went to see the famous Luray Caverns at Luray, a place in Virginia. It is natural caves. Before going there, my imagination about these caves was it may be just like rocky caves as I have seen in BADAMI (Guhantara Devalayas) – monolithic caves, caves at Chandavalli, Chitradurga or caves at our famous HAMPI & there will be small entry with thick darkness where we have to walk few yards with a candle in our hand etc... Like that. But when we reached the spot you know, my whole imagination was uprooted!! The outside area was so developed with open grasslands, beautiful gardens, fountains, Information Center, Gifts center, Restaurant, Rest Rooms ,Sign boards etc really I astonished to see that the very spot itself. Entry fee is $ 26 that includes Maze Play in the specific garden (it is like chakrabandha entering one side & coming out the other end avoiding so many blocking ways in between).After entering through check in gate, we went stepping down towards the caves.Oh!! what wonderful caves they are .white, red ,black, blue & greenish formations with dripping drops from them. I was dumbfounded whether I was thrown to Pataal Loka or Nag Loka depicted in our Legendary. It is one hour guided tour deep into the caves nearly 1 ½ mile on walk all through. The walking paths are made of gripped tiles along with railing wherever required & sufficient lighting arrangements at exact and appropriate places. Very fantastic.We were told that most caves consist of a layer of limestone, a mildly acidic mixture of water and carbon dioxide for over million of years. All coloration in the caves is natural, caused by the mineral content of the seeping ground water. White is the color of calcium carbonate in its pure form. Other elements absorbed from the soil and rock layers create impure form of calcite. Reds and yellows which dominate are caused by iron and iron-stained clays. Black is the result of manganese dioxide, blue and greens are the result of solutions of copper minerals. There are many factors that shape and mould these fascinating formations. Some of those factors may be rate and direction of the seepage, the amount of acid in the water, the temperature and humidity content of a cave, the influence of air currents, the effects of above ground climate, the amount of rainfall and the density of the plant cover. We saw the Dream Lake, Saracen's Tent, Wishing Well and the world's largest musical instrument (The Great Stalactite Organ) locatepd in the Cathedral in the caves. It was surprised to know that marriages are held here.
These caves are discovered by Andrew J.Campbell & Benton P. Stebbins. Regarding these caves, the Smithsonian Institution report of July 13 &14,1880 comments "…..it is safe to say that there is probably no other cave in the world more completely and profusely decorated with stalactite and stalagmite ornamentation than that of Luray." The Encyclopedia Britannica devoted an unprecedented page and a half to the cave's wonders. I think you will be amazed to see the two-three photos of the caves. Rest of the things about the caves I will explain in person.
Vegetarian Burger in a Restaurant was our lunch that day as no other veg. eatables were available there. Sometimes to gain something, one must be lose something("kuch paane ke liye kuch khona padta hai"). Remember this always.
Next we went to a place of strawberry Farm for strawberry picking. Our son-in law's friend Mr.Harsha and his wife Mrs.Aruna joined us on the way. That strawberry picking was very nice. It was a Farm of 4-5 acres strawberry grown area. Of course, there are other farms of cherry, litchi, kiwi, pear, peach, apple &others along the side. The owner's stall was nearby. Usually entry to the Farm will be $ 2 so that one can enter the Farm & pick and eat as much fruits as he can; it's all free. But the fruits he collects in the Basket & brings out should buy at $ 2 per pound. That day for our surprise the entry was free. We entered the Farm with baskets with watering mouth to pick & eat strawberry fruits. I went to the middle of the field to pick big size fruits but tell you I dint eat not even 10 -15. Since it was too hot that day, we couldn't remain there for long time and returned to the stall with collected fruits & bought 2 pounds for us. Really we enjoyed picking strawberry & took some snaps.
Then we went to Harsha's home which is located in the city called Charlottesville (pronouncing as sharletsvil) After taking some rest, we had Uddina vada & Tea and went out to see the city. This Charlottesville is said to be a rich men city. The 3rd ,4th and 5th Presidents of US i.e. JAMES MADISON ,THOMAS JEFFERSON and JAMES MONROE are from this city whose life size statues are installed there in memory of them. We had a round in the famous big bazaar and had gelato an Italian ice cream. We had a nice dinner of Bisibele bath & Mosaranna in Harsha's home and started our journey back to Virginia.
This is all about Bhaga-5.Our next visit is to New York & New Jersey this week end. So, you may wait for Videsh Yatra: Bhaga-6.Till then take care. Bye.
Yours,
Krishna murthy.K
11-06-2008.
Krishna murthy.K
11-06-2008.
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