Looking for Depth? Try Onondaga.

It’s staggering to think how many years it must have taken to created these mounds drop by drop. Even though the two mounds are next to each other, they’re different colors because the source waters are far enough away that they contain different chemicals.

Last summer I had the pleasure of visiting Onondaga Cave State Park in Missouri as part of a 10-day journey on my own through the Ozarks. While I explored my inner self I also toured the inner earth. Onondaga is easily the best cave I’ve seen. Not that I’ve seen a ton, but I’ve been to a few, and none of the others compare. The formations and the sizes of the rooms are fabulous and well worth a trip even if it’s out of the way. Assuming you like caves, of course.

The number of stalactites in one area seems astounding.
Bacon, anyone?
Translucent bacon.
The stalactite nearly touching the stalagmite is impressive, but the real stars of this picture are the lily pads in the foreground and along the sides. According to the website Geology for Today, Onondaga has the best ones. There’s a picture on this page that shows the same area from a different angle.
Last but not least, we have what reminded me of an underground Pamukkale. What also caught my eye was the striking differences in the color of the rock. It’s fascinating that two sources of water far away from each other could end up at the same place with the deposits remaining so distinct.

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