After our visit to the 'Bushkill Falls', we checked in to the hotel. Our stay at the Residence Inn, Allentown was relaxing. For dinner, we went to a restaurant close by and were back around 11. It was a day well spent, I should say.
The following day, we had plans to visit one of the two places - either Dingmans Falls or the Crystal Cave, and we decided on the latter one. After having a scrumptious breakfast, we were on our way by 11. It was almost 30 mins away from where we were staying, and it took us just the same time.
A sharp left on the single lane road and there we were in a not so crowded parking area of the visitor center. Got the tickets and climbed up the hill to the entrance. There we were asked to wait for the guide. Within 10 minutes the guide was there and he led us into the theater to watch a small documentary on the history of Crystal Cave. It lasted for about 20 minutes and after watching it, we were even more curious to see the cave up-close.
Crystal Cave
Before going in, the guide informed us that the temperature inside the cave always stays under 60F and during the 45 minute tour, he will be putting off all the lights for a few minutes, to help us understand the way people experienced it 100 years ago. Another issue was of bats, but the guide assured us that though bats are there, he has never seen them come out in many years.
The moment we stepped in, the change in climate became obvious and it was quite surprising as well. Also, the huge stones along with indirect lighting made it appear very different from anything we had ever experienced. It felt like a journey into something unknown and strange.
The tour guide explained to us the formations of the various stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone and drip-stone inside the cave. It could be easily compared to any beautiful artwork but in this case it was by nature itself. One of the stone structure looked like an ice-cream cone, some of them resembled an eagle or even an angel, one of those appeared so similar to a statue of a woman holding a vessel, some appeared as shiny crystals stuck to the stones and some were just indescribable. It was all so captivating.
We went all the way to the end of the cave walking though narrow walkways created on fallen rocks. And yes, the lights were put off for two minutes in between and it was pitch dark. Can't imagine how people must be venturing inside the cave without lights. In all, the cave is definitely one of the best things we have ever seen. And is aptly described in the Crystal Cave brochure as - 'a splendid museum of nature'.
Stepping out of the cave was shocking again as the temperature suddenly changed. But we had am amazing experience, something to remember forever. We also got some great shots of the stone formations.
Our ticket for the cave tour @ 12:55 p.m
After the tour, we went to the souvenir shop, picked up some colorful stones from the pile and other stuff. And left from there around 2:30. As we didn't have any plans for the day, we thought of going around the town. While on our way, we spotted a a big billboard showing the sign for House of candles and directions to reach there. And without thinking twice, we were on the road, through the narrow lanes of a small town with fields on both the sides. It was as if we were exploring the countryside.
It was about 4 miles as mentioned on the board and we were there in no time. We saw some cars parked outside but it didn't look very crowded. Got off and went inside to check out the house of candles and it wasn't what we had expected to be. It was just a shop, a very big shop which sold candles; though it was different in a way- as you could watch a candle being made in front of you. It was quite interesting to watch the whole process, how the candle is dipped in various colors to form layers which is later on scratched off to form different patterns.
Afterwards, we bought some candles and were on our way back to the hotel around 3:30. Had dinner in the restaurant and wrapped up the day happily.
Before going in, the guide informed us that the temperature inside the cave always stays under 60F and during the 45 minute tour, he will be putting off all the lights for a few minutes, to help us understand the way people experienced it 100 years ago. Another issue was of bats, but the guide assured us that though bats are there, he has never seen them come out in many years.
The moment we stepped in, the change in climate became obvious and it was quite surprising as well. Also, the huge stones along with indirect lighting made it appear very different from anything we had ever experienced. It felt like a journey into something unknown and strange.
The tour guide explained to us the formations of the various stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone and drip-stone inside the cave. It could be easily compared to any beautiful artwork but in this case it was by nature itself. One of the stone structure looked like an ice-cream cone, some of them resembled an eagle or even an angel, one of those appeared so similar to a statue of a woman holding a vessel, some appeared as shiny crystals stuck to the stones and some were just indescribable. It was all so captivating.
We went all the way to the end of the cave walking though narrow walkways created on fallen rocks. And yes, the lights were put off for two minutes in between and it was pitch dark. Can't imagine how people must be venturing inside the cave without lights. In all, the cave is definitely one of the best things we have ever seen. And is aptly described in the Crystal Cave brochure as - 'a splendid museum of nature'.
Stepping out of the cave was shocking again as the temperature suddenly changed. But we had am amazing experience, something to remember forever. We also got some great shots of the stone formations.
After the tour, we went to the souvenir shop, picked up some colorful stones from the pile and other stuff. And left from there around 2:30. As we didn't have any plans for the day, we thought of going around the town. While on our way, we spotted a a big billboard showing the sign for House of candles and directions to reach there. And without thinking twice, we were on the road, through the narrow lanes of a small town with fields on both the sides. It was as if we were exploring the countryside.
It was about 4 miles as mentioned on the board and we were there in no time. We saw some cars parked outside but it didn't look very crowded. Got off and went inside to check out the house of candles and it wasn't what we had expected to be. It was just a shop, a very big shop which sold candles; though it was different in a way- as you could watch a candle being made in front of you. It was quite interesting to watch the whole process, how the candle is dipped in various colors to form layers which is later on scratched off to form different patterns.
Afterwards, we bought some candles and were on our way back to the hotel around 3:30. Had dinner in the restaurant and wrapped up the day happily.