As we prepare to head over to the Lost Sea, Sid is approached by the duck pond bullies - three big white ducks asking for a snack!
We embark on the the Lost Sea adventure. Listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as America’s largest underground lake, the Lost Sea is part of an extensive and historic cave system called Craighead Caverns.
We entered Craighead Caverns via this bright yellow tube. The caverns have been known and used since the days of the Cherokee Indians. From the opening on the side of the mountain, the cave expands into a series of huge rooms. I didn't post any photos from inside the cave because they really looked bad. I really needed a tripod to keep the camera steady.
Note the couple walking in front of Sid. We chatted with these retirees during the entire tour. They are from New England, but live in St. Augustine, Florida, now. Avid cave visitors, they also spend lots of time metal detecting on the Florida beaches and near battlefields (on private land). In addition, they are ghost hunters! They even shot some photos of "positive energy orbs" while we were on the boat tour. Our young tour guide, Brady, told them how the door to the maintenance shed had slammed open when he was cleaning the boats...in a cave with no wind currents. He was pretty disturbed at the thought of ghosts in the cave...bless his heart.
An 18th century village outside the Lost Sea entrance has a wonderful glassworks shop, Glassworks Mfg. Master glass blowers August Bopp and his son, Van Camp, have over 60 years of combined experience producing beautiful and unique handmade glass art.
Artist Van Camp Bopp can create a custom motorcycle from a photograph. The red bike looks like our ride!
Just as we left the Lost Sea, it stopped raining, so we headed south on Hwy and came across this Rock City barn between Sweetwater and Niota! I was ecstatic, and Sid actually stopped the bike so I could get a good photo.
Back at the motel (Econo Lodge in Sweetwater), we were greeted by our favorite duck from the pond. Chuck seems to have deformed wings and is constantly picked on by the other ducks in the pond - just like children on the playground at school taunting another child who is "different." Sid has taken to this intrepid underdog, giving him treats and pushing the bully ducks away.
Sid and Chuck circle the bike and trailer for a full safety inspection. Chuck is safe from the other ducks when he is near Sid.
When the deluge came, Chuck took shelter under our trailer, napping and grooming himself. I gave him some cereal from breakfast. Who will protect him when we're gone?
2 comments:
I think Chuck would look fabu on the pond in Somerville!
Liza, we actually discussed it and decided against it. We didn't think Chuck would like the ride in the trailer for the next two weeks.
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