Adventure into Luray Caverns
Ruth and her family were looking for a nearby vacation destination where they could relax, bring their dog, and enjoy the great outdoors when they selected the Blue Ridge mountains. Luray Caverns, situated halfway between her sister’s home in Virginia and Ruth’s home in Maryland, was the ideal location.
Geological Interests
Luray Caverns is a geological wonder, filled with fascinating formations. The 64 acres of limestone caverns were discovered in 1878. They formed millions of years ago due to underground rivers and acidic water seeping through limestone and clay. Over time, the clay washed away, leaving the limestone behind. Later, the caves filled with glacial mud, which changed the shapes of the dripstone formations. When the mud was eroded by water, the caves displayed a beautiful array of colorful stalactites, stalagmites, columns, and cascades.
One of the most impressive features is the Great Stalacpipe Organ, a unique instrument that uses the stalactites in the cavern to produce music. The organ is connected to these formations with mallets, creating a surreal symphony of sounds that echo throughout the cavern. It’s an incredible experience to hear and watch as the mallets strike different stalactites, producing a melody from various parts of the cavern.
Enjoy the unique ambiance of Moonlight Sonata played on the Great Stalacpipe Organ
Another highlight is Dream Lake, a serene body of water with an almost mirror-like quality. The water is so still and the ceiling so low that it creates a perfect reflection, making it difficult to tell where the water begins and ends. It’s a mesmerizing sight that showcases the natural beauty of the caverns.
The Great Stalacpipe Organ – a 3.5 acre musical and geologic marvel
The endless expanse of Dream Lake
Luray Caverns Gives Back
Luray Caverns offers more than just stunning geological formations. Towards the end of the tour, you come across a wishing well that’s about 6 feet deep. Throughout the year, it fills up with 3 feet worth of coins, which are collected and donated to environmental science. It’s heartwarming to know that such a beautiful attraction gives back to the scientific community.
Ruth’s trip to Luray Caverns was a fantastic adventure filled with breathtaking sights, memorable moments, and the joy of discovering new places with family. Whether you’re a geology enthusiast, or just looking for a unique family outing, Luray Caverns is definitely worth a visit!
About Ruth
Ruth Rodman is one of Golden Software’s software developers and the product team lead. She has worked at Golden Software since 2012, starting out in customer support. From there she quickly grew into the devops and testing realm, then settled into the development and management space. Before Golden Software, Ruth worked as a private tutor and enjoyed participating in volunteer work in her community. Ruth graduated from Virginia Tech with a Discrete Mathematics degree.
In Ruth’s spare time she enjoys any sort of artistic expression, but mostly gravitates towards fiber arts – knitting, sewing, quilting, crocheting, cross stitch, etc. She also plays piano and covers a wide range of genres including Debussy, The Dresden Dolls, and Sam Smith. Ruth is happy to call Maryland her forever home, which she shares with her partner and children.
