The Beauty Channel

Who comes on my cave tours? Everybody. That’s what makes it so fun. Today, I had guys with tattoos all over their body standing next to Amish tourists. I’ve had Adult, educated, Europeans standing next to runny nosed little American kids. Somehow, we all are able to come together and enjoy the incredible beauty underground. I like that. It’s not like we have to fight over what channel to watch. We only get one channel underground-the Beauty Channel. Let’s all explore it together.

The Ground Drops Out

Today, one of my tour groups ran into another tour group at the top of “The Barn”. We’re talking about 40 people here. That guide said, “Jerry, do you guys want to do a complete ‘lights out’ with us since nobody’s down below us? ”
“Sure,” I said.
The guide reached for the main breaker which is not supposed to be used for turning out the lights and was getting ready to flip it off. I yelled “No not that one!” as I ran toward her. “That’s the switch for the trap door where those people are standing!” I exclaimed. I heard some nervous laughter from the group. When we switched off the proper light switch, the lights below us were still on. It didn’t get dark. Not wanting to appear completely ignorant of the switches, I said, “Oh, somebody didn’t turn off the lights off below us. Nice joke.” With that our groups parted. Tour guides have more fun than you’ll ever know.

Cave Love

Today was a blast. I got to give 4 cave tours. On one of my tours was Phillip. He was in charge of the construction inside the cave a little over 10 years ago. He told me about 2 of the workers discovering over a mile more of unmapped passageways back when the construction was taking place. The “Wedding Platform”, is a wooden platform that was made larger than normal, so 2 cavers could get married in front of a stalactitie that was composed of 2 stalactites growing together to become one. Now that’s cave love. Also, over 10 years ago, the current owner, Steve Beckley, took what was then his 2nd date with Jeanne through an 8 ½ inch squeeze named “Jam Crack”. Later, the two got married, and bought Fairy Caves, opening up Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. You’ve got to come up here if you ever get a chance. It’s an amazing place, and I’d love to take you on one of my tours.

World Record Ride

So my cave tour group is standing outside looking at our new monster swing called The Swing Shot. It’s going to open by Memorial Day weekend. Suddenly the thing takes off, sending the seats that you would ride in out over the cliff 1300 ft. above the Colorado River and returning after a 240 degree pendulum. Wow. It took our breath away just watching it. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park www.glenwoodcaverns.com is going for the Guinness Book of World Records for the highest swing. I absolutely guarantee that it is going to give its riders one of the biggest thrills of their lives.