THE ADVENTURES OF PERIWINKLE & STINKY: PART CCCLVIII

Periwinkle’s Arrival

Stinky is waiting patiently by the teleportation tunnel for Periwinkle’s arrival. He is excited about today’s adventure, and cannot wait to get started. Moments later, the tunnel begins to vibrate, and Periwinkle tumbles out into his waiting paws. After a few minutes of paw hugging and whisker kissing, Periwinkle says, “Stinky, I know your family has a lot of significant anniversaries this week, including Misty May getting her angel wings three years ago today. Are we going to be celebrating those.”

“No, I thought we should have a real adventure today. We can do it in memory of Misty May and also in memory of Katie Isabella.”

“Why are we also remembering Angel Katie today?”

“Her mom Carole is the one who recommended this adventure when I ask for suggestions quite a while ago.”

“So, where are we going?”

Craighead Caverns

“We will be visiting Craighead Caverns and The Lost Sea Adventure in Sweetwater, Tennessee.”

“That sounds interesting. I am curious how it can be lost if we are visiting it, but I am certain you will explain,” replies Periwinkle.

“You know I will. Shall we get going?”

“In just a minute or two, Stinky. I have an idea.” Without saying anything else, Periwinkle runs off to find Stinky’s mom. When she finds her, she whispers a request in her ear. Then she runs back to the tunnel to join Stinky.”

“What was that all about? Did you need to use the litter box?”

Periwinkle is shaking her head, no, when Stinky’s mom comes into the room and hands her something.

Before Stinky can ask what it is, Periwinkle asks to see his backpack. She then slips two items into the pocket and tells Stinky not to ask about them. She will reveal the items when they arrive at their destination. Stinky just shakes his head, takes Periwinkle’s paw and leads her into the teleportation tunnel.

Moments later they arrive at their destination.

 

 

“Now that we are here, are you going to show me what you stashed away before we left?” asks Stinky.

“Yep.”

 

 

Periwinkle removes what she has put in Stinky’s backpack.

“Periwinkle, what a great idea bringing photos of Katie and Misty May. I had always planned to bringing Katie along with us on this adventure. It was so sad that she flew off to the Rainbow Bridge before we came here.”

“Well, now Misty May and Katie Isabella will be with us in spirit. Should we go inside?”

“You bet,” replies Stinky. “As we get started, I can share information with you.”

Some History

“Goody. I know you always do your research,” exclaims Periwinkle.

“We will be in the historic Craighead Caverns, which have been in existence for over 20,000 years. Bones and tracks deep inside the cave of a huge Pleistocene Jaguar that existed during that time period were discovered here in 1939.

“A tiny natural opening in the side of the mountain leads to a serious of rooms. One located about a mile from the entrance is called the Council Room. It is where Cherokee Indian artifacts, including pottery, arrowheads, weapons and jewelry have been found.

“The first white settlers in the Tennessee Valley arrived around 1820 and used the cave to store potatoes and other vegetables.

“Confederate soldiers also used the cave to mine saltpeter (potassium nitrate), which is used to make gunpowder.”

“Wow, these caverns certainly were popular,” exclaims Periwinkle.

 

 

“The cave has lots of graffiti. This one is suspected to have been made by one of the Confederate soldiers. It has been carbon dated and authenticated to that time,” explains Stinky.

The Lost Sea

“Rumors of a large underground lake deep within the cave abounded, but it was not discovered until 1905. Ben Sands, a 13-year-old boy, made his way through a small, muddy opening 300 feet underground. He found himself in a huge room half filled with water. Because of the darkness he never saw the ceiling or far end of the cave.”

“He sure was brave, Stinky, to go exploring like that.”

Stinky continues, “Just ten years later the idea of developing the cave for public use was conceived. A dance floor was installed in one of the large upper rooms. Cockfights were another activity in the cave. Other portions were being utilized by moonshiners.”

“Yikes, the last two pursuits are not what I would have expected to occur in such a beautiful place,” remarks Periwinkle.

 

 

“Different times, Periwinkle,” states Stinky. He then continues his narrative, “Since 1974, Craighead Caverns and the Lost Sea have been designated a National Natural Landmark. The Lost Sea offers a natural environment filled with unique rock formations, impressive stalactites and stalagmites and a variety of geological features. These include displays of rare crystalline structures called anthodites. These fragile quill- or feather-like clusters, known as cave flowers, are found in only a few of the world’s caves.”

“Cool!”

“Listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as America’s largest underground lake, The Lost Sea is located 140 feet below ground level and remains at a constant 58 degrees Fahrenheit. It spans 4.5 acres, but its full extent is still unknown. The visible portion is 800 feet long by 220 feet wide. In some areas the water is as much as 70 feet deep; though, the water level is currently down due to the draught. Thirteen acres of a larger series of rooms have been discovered beneath the surface, but they are filled completely with water. Are you ready to take the boat tour, Periwinkle?”

“For sure.”

 

 

 

The Lost Sea also features stocked rainbow trout, but due to the darkness in the caverns, both their pigmentation and eyesight is diminished.

Additional Attractions

When they finish their boat tour, Stinky tells Periwinkle there are some other attractions they can visit. Before he can tell her about them, Periwinkle puts her paw on his shoulder and says, “You know, Stinky, this is a wonderful adventure and I am having lots of fun, but I am a bit hungry and tired. Do you think we could get a snack?”

“Well, I just happen to have a picnic in my backpack. They have a picnic area, so let’s find that, and I can tell you about the other attractions while we eat.”

Periwinkle throws her paws around Stinky’s neck and gives him a huge hug. He takes her paw and leads her off to find the picnic area.

 

 

When they cannot find the picnic pavilion on the sign, Stinky sprints off to the General Store for directions, then returns for Periwinkle. Following the directions he is given, Periwinkle and Stinky find the picnic area and enjoy their lunch.

Stinky tells Periwinkle that other attractions at The Lost Sea Adventure include the General Store, Ice Cream Bar, Glass Blowing Gallery, a Gem Mine Attraction and a Nature Trail.

“I’d love to come back and check out the glass blowing, gem mining and nature trail,” Periwinkle tells Stinky.

“That sounds like a plan. Maybe we can do that in the spring,” replies Stinky.

With their picnic complete, Stinky packs up the picnic supplies and the tabbies head to the teleportation tunnel for their trip back to Stinky’s house.

The End

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