Mar 9 - Evie's Birthday, The Caverns of Sonora, Texas

  Today's my birthday!  Again.  We decided to go to the Caverns of Sonora, since they are just 15 minutes from our RV park.  We went on a guided tour, with 12 people.  It took about 2 hours.  The caverns are at the deepest 150 feet below the ground.  They go 7 miles, but on 2 miles are on the tour.  They are privately owned, unlike Carlsbad Caverns.  They are very protective of the formations, and have created a tour through the various "rooms" and areas that is thoughtful and demonstrates the many, varied formations of the caverns.  The walkways are right next to, and through the formations, so you are Upclose and Personal with the formations.  Unlike Carlsbad, where you are a distant from the formations.  The walkways are only single file, so they are very narrow throughout the caverns.
  But, the formations are again AMAZING.  They are very different from Carlsbad.  The active portions of the caverns have formations on every single surface.  Dripping from the ceiling, rising from the floor, and popcorn covering every wall.There is a lot more dripping water in this cavern, so there are many more formations.  The tour was spectacular.  Perfect Birthday present!
  We decided to go for a walk around the local Nature Preserve.  A 1 mile rim walk overlooking the town of Sonora.  It was pleasant, and got us out and about.  Sonora is a rather depressing small Texas Town.  I think I like the New England small towns better.  We wanted to go out for a "birthday" dinner, and had two choices -- Mexican or Steak.  We actually chose the Steak (and Mexican options) as it was a nice little restaurant.  My dinner choice was NOT steak, but a cobb salad (no meat) and a baked potato.  It was quite good.  No birthday cake or ice cream, though.

Caverns of Sonora photos (lots of them):

Sonora Nature Preserve photos: