DITR Ride to Luray Caverns
August 15, 2009 • by Jeanne
Ellen, Lynn, and I set out for Luray Caverns in Luray, Va. For an August day, it was good riding weather - the sky was clear, it was sunny but without the August heat, and the weather prediction was for no rain. We rode out Rt. 234 to I-66 to 29 South to Warrenton, Va. where we picked up Rt. 211. Before riding through Thornton’s Gap, we stopped to meet up with Sharon. Sharon lives in Front Royal and had wanted to ride with the group for some time, but distance has its drawbacks. The group made its way over the Blue Ridge Mountains into the Shenandoah Valley, lunching at a diner in Luray. Not far away was Luray Caverns.
As we turned in to the Caverns’ parking lot - it was packed! This was the anniversary date when the Caverns were discovered. Fortunately, there are motorcycle parking spaces close to the entrance. There was no shortage of conversation and a bluegrass band was playing near the outside entrance as we waited in line.
It took approximately an hour for us to make our way to the actual entrance to descend into the Caverns.
Being as this was the anniversary date, there was one ‘room’ that is only open one day a year and today was the day! It is a wet cave - too wet to be wired with the electrical cables found throughout the Caverns. In fact, we were told that in order to open this small cavern up to the public, 5 inches of water had to be pumped out. The entire cavern was filled with candles illuminating the only way in/out of the cave and the small area inside. Only a small group of people were allowed in at one time. Being in this small cavern gave me the feeling of being in a cave.
Luray Caverns also has an exhibit housing antique cars and carriages.
It was late in the day when we finished touring the Caverns - the fastest route was chosen to return which took us to Front Royal where we picked up I-66. What a day - we met a new friend, toured the Caverns, and had a great ride.
Jeanne
