Floyd Collins and Mammoth Cave National Park (Part 2)

 After our cave tour in the morning and a nice lunch, we drove out to Sand Cave to meet Ranger Johnny for the "Sand Cave Almanac Caravan". 

 

I really like the way that this tour/caravan works out.  You drive your car to Sand Cave, which is not far from the main visitor center.  Once there the Ranger does a nice talk about the cave, and Floyd Collins.  Next, you and the others in the Caravan drive out to Floyd's home, following the ranger.  Lastly, you drive out to Floyd's grave.  It's another free program offered at times at Mammoth Cave.

 

I do think this one is a bit misnamed.  Sand Cave is one stop on this tour, devoted to the very interesting character, Floyd Collins.

 

If you are not familiar with Floyd, he was a cave explorer in the area, who died at Sand Cave in February of 1925.  There were various caves and Mammoth Cave entrances at that time, and finding a new one could be very profitable.  In fact, Floyd had one on his property already, but wanted to find another.

 

So, one day he is exploring and he gets his leg stuck while in Sand Cave (which, from what I understand, is more like a long hole in the ground than an actual cave).  He can't get his leg unstuck.  He will remain stuck for the rest of his life (which is only a couple more weeks at this point).

Friends and family tried to get food to him and help him, but it just didn't work.  The passage to get to him eventually collapsed.  Friends and volunteers worked on digging a shaft to try to get to Floyd but time ran out.

The story of Floyd Collins doesn't come close to ending there.  His body was eventually recovered, buried, put on display, stolen... well, it goes on and on until 1989 when his remains were finally buried in its current location.

Seeing Sand Cave and visiting Floyd's grave site are a real treat.  And, if you are a fan of caving, its a bit of a pilgrimage, but visiting his home is a bit more of a challenge, and I am glad that the National Park allows people the chance to see it.

This is just a great tour.  I would have gladly paid to go on this one it was so good.  Thanks Ranger Johnny and Thanks to Mammoth Cave National Park!

After our tour and spending a complete day at Mammoth Cave, we stopped at Big Mikes for some drinks and headed for home!

If you think the story of Floyd Collins is fascinating, check out the whole story in the book "Trapped!".  I reviewed that book several years ago,  check it out!

http://kentuckytravels.blogspot.com/2009/02/book-trapped-story-of-floyd-collins-by.html