Lantern or Grand Avenue tour is fine with us. We're down for whatever.....

 

Jen did some i think, said it looked like each tour had a different entrance, can't recall what she was concerned with, but found her answer.

 

Chad, the "narrow canyons" doesn't mean it's a tight squeeze for us - if that is her concern. For those with claustrophobia, it might be an issue, but I suspect if that is a problem, you won't be in the caves to begin with.

So far, it sounds like we are good for either the "strenuous 3 hour/3 mile" Violet City Lantern Tour from 14:30 -- 17:30, or the "very strenuous, 4 hour/4 mile" Grand Avenue Tour, from 09:00 - 13:00. I wil try to make the call for reservations tomorrow (time permitting), so I'll need a head count and final vote from everyone who wants to get in on a group. I will try the preferred tour first, and use second place as a backup if the first choice is already booked.

 

Count should be as follows. Monty's group = 5. Tony's = 3. Chad = 2. Us = 3. You guys = 2.

Total = 15.

 

Thank you for the count Rodney.

Did Momma decide which tour she prefers? I told Jodi earlier that we need to make a decision tonight. This week has been crazy busy for us, so we haven't sat in front of the computer to discuss it.

 

We're good with the 3 hour one Doug. I could persuade her into the 4 hour is need be. Whatever gives us the best experience and the group agrees with. Miles and steps don't bother us. Don't want any belly crawling though.

 

Save that for quiet time in the RV later.

The only drawback I really see to the 3 hour one is the relatively late start time, but it's not that bad, I suppose. If it ran 9 to noon, that would be perfect. Go in after breakfast, and come out for lunch!

 

We are good with whichever one you want to go with buddy...

 

Jen actually liked the later start time.
She's not keen on tight, shoulder width paths(not sure how tight it gets) , but said she'll do either tour.

 

Is lack of restrooms more of a concern, or tight passages? It's kinda sounding like the lantern tour may be the best for the group, but it is the one she expressed concern with over the lack of restrooms.

 

Turn off the lantern and the bathroom issue goes away...

Are there many tight passages or is it pretty open on the big group tours?

 

I have done lots of cave exploration over several years of my youth in Scouts and with church groups, but only once have I done a tour at Mammoth. I believe from reading the description, that it was the Historic Tour I did. There was nothing tight about it that I recall. Having said that, I have been in lots of caves elsewhere that got REALLY tight (insert crude joke here), however, I don't think that the general tours that we are considering at this point have anything like that to deal with.

 

tight spots are her bigger concern.....

 

Ok guys. Thanks all for the feedback. Tomorrow, I will try to schedule a reservation for 15 of us on the Violet City Lantern tour for Monday the 25th, at 14:30.

It is my suggestion to have the potluck on Wednesday evening of the trip, so that Thursday night we can just unwind for a relatively early bedtime, since many of us are leaving early Friday morning.

Other suggestions of places to go or things to do, National Corvette Museum, Maker's Mark Distillery, a day trip to Nashville, etc. Any or none can be done as a group, and I'm sure once we get there, we will find other stuff as well. There is a dinosaur park near the RV resort, for instance. It's really too bad the KTP tour isn't going to happen.

 

Sounds good Doug! I like the plans so far. The rest can all be filled in as we go. Thanks for the legwork buddy...