Kartchner Caverns, Helen 'home', Preparing to Leave, San Pedro Valley

I picked up Helen at the Tucson airport yesterday afternoon. It's really good to have her 'home'. We'll spend today preparing to leave Friday morning for New Mexico and Texas, then east! Our route includes Demming, NM, Alpine, TX, San Antonio, TX, then Mississippi, Tennessee, Georgia, then to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and finally back to Idaho to be with 'the girls'. Of course, there are always detours, changes in plans, etc. But as a friend said, "Every day is Saturday!"

Earlier this week I joined next door neighbors and truly new friends, Fred and Karen Olds, on a visit to the Kartchner Caverns located about 15 miles from our RV park. (See below some photos from an earler cave visit -- Colossal Caves).

Cave Discovery -- In November 1974 two young cavers, Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts, were exploring the limestone hills at the base of the Whetstone Mountains. In the bottom of a sinkhole they found a narrow crack leading into the hillside. Warm, moist air flowed out, signaling the existence of a cave. After several hours of crawling, they entered a pristine cavern. It wasn't until February 1978 that Tenen and Tufts told the property owners, James and Lois Kartchner, about their amazing discovery. It's unbelievable what exists inside the caverns. The 'Throne Room' is as large as a football field! Photos follow:





San Pedro Valley where we are presently: