Howe About We Explore a Cavern

Howe Caverns hosts tourists looking for caves of adventures

As I approached the main building to Howe Caverns, in Howes Cave, New York, large billboards were placed about a mile apart along the road. All of them featured facts about the caverns. With each passing sign, my anticipation grew. When I finally arrived at the main building, the majestic view of the landscape and the mountains surrounding the property captured my attention. On the grass in front of the building, a sign in large white letters read, "HOWE CAVERNS!"

Once I had my tickets for the tour and waited in line to enter the elevator, I realized I would be going down 168 feet below the earth's surface. Being afraid of elevators did not help the matter, considering I was squeezed into one with probably 20 other people for about 30 seconds. Those seconds felt as though they dragged on forever. I left quickly once the elevator stopped. Once in the cave, I noticed the dramatic change in temperature, and the amazing geologic formations around me. During the tour, I learned all about these formations, including the names they were given by the original owners, Lester Howe and his wife, Lucinda.

"The first man to enter the cave did so in the early 1770s."

It was on May 22, 1842 that Lester discovered the caves that had been hidden for nearly 72 years. Today, the caves are "New York's second most visited natural attraction," explained Jo-Ann Ellis, an employee of Howe Caverns.

According to tour guide Bill Hunt, the caves formed around 10 million years ago, the natural result of erosion. They were originally found in the early 1700s, by Native Americans who called the caves "Otsgaragee." Translated the word means either "cave of the great galleries," or "great valley cave," Ellis said. Although the Native Americans knew about the caves, they may have never explored them because of superstition.

"The first man to enter the cave did so in the early 1770s," Ellis said.

This man was Johnathan Schmul. He had been moving from family to family in the town of Kobel's Kill, which today is known as Cobleskill. During this time, he was attacked by Native Americans and found safety in the cave's entrance. Schmul later confided in a pastor, Reverend John Peter Resig, and told him about the caves. Over time, the caves disappeared, along with its original founders. These caves would not be discovered again for another 72 years.

During the early 1800s, Lester Howe and his wife, Lucinda, settled in a town east of Cobleskill with their three children. The cavern's hidden entrance was located adjacent to the family farm house.

"The farmhouse foundation stood until I-88 was built," Ellis said.

It was during this time that Lester Howe heard stories of a strange phenomenon called "blowing rock." "Blowing rock is a strange rocky ledge from which a cool breeze of air emanated on even the hottest days," Ellis explained.

There are several accounts of how the caverns were rediscovered by Howe. The one told most often is that "Howe found the cave by accident on the 22nd of May, 1842," Ellis said. Howe's cows had pastured in the same spot everyday; however, this spot was not on his land-it was on his neighbor Henry Wetsel's land. When Howe went to retrieve his cattle, he noticed that the temperature had become much cooler. Howe had found the "blowing rock" at the cave's entrance. He then continued to enter and explore the cave with Wetsel. According to Hunt, Howe credited a cow named "Millicent" for helping him discover the caves.

"It's our 78th year proving safe, educational fun, and adventure to almost 15 million visitors."

Within the cave are around 200 formations, all which Lester and his wife named. They agreed on every single name, except one, Hunt explained. The formation they did not agree on looked like two hands praying and an upside down ice cream cone. So, that is exactly what it was named. Lester called the formation "the upside ice cream cone," while Lucinda named it "praying hands." Other formation names are, "the Titanic," which looked very much like the actual ship, "Godzilla," "Piazza," and "Witches' Hat." All these names went along with some creative story that made the tour much more interesting.

Throughout the cave you hear the sound of running water constantly. Because of this water, the cave floods out several times a year. In fact, it had flooded out nearly 48 hours before my tour. According to Hunt, no water ever leaves the caves and no water comes in; however, the cave still manages to flood.

There is a portion of the tour that takes place on a small boat, which requires the visitors to steer using poles that stick out of the rock. Along the boat tour, the sound of running water gets faster and louder due to the drop-off ahead. Although it is clear that we will not actually go over the edge, the sound of that water along with Hunt's playfulness make it seem as though any minute we will go right over the edge.

After the boat ride, we came to another formation that was named the "Love Stone," because it naturally formed into the shape of a heart. Wedding ceremonies are held at this formation. The largest wedding the cavern had to date was around 200 people all squeezed into a rather small area, Hunt said. When we approached the formation, the guide explained that if you step with your left foot on the stone and make a wish, it will come true. If you touch the stone with your right foot, the wish will be cancelled out. He also explained that if a married couple each put their left foot on the stone and kissed, they would live a long and happy marriage. So, one-by-one each person on the tour touched the stone or kissed his/her spouse and made his/her wish.

The final portion of the tour was a quick walk through Winding Way. Those with claustrophobia may want to steer clear of this part of the tour. According to Howe Caverns Web site, Winding Way is approximately 18 inches to five feet wide and 300 feet long. There is very little moving space. I wanted to move through winding way quickly because of the fear of getting trapped. This part of the tour had to be my favorite. When you look up and around, all you see is rock. It is incredible looking at the different colors and shapes of the naturally occurring rock.

When the tour was over, we crammed ourselves back into the elevator and made our trip back up to the surface. The experience was truly amazing and I highly recommend it. This year will be the 165th anniversary of Howe's discovery of the caves.

"It's our 78th year of proving safe, educational fun and adventure to almost 15 million visitors."

Have you ever been to Howe Caverns?

There are many fun and exciting things to do at the caverns. According to Ellis, the highlights of the tour include the boat ride on the underground Lake of Venus and a walk through the narrow passages of the Winding Way.

The Winding Way is a series of about 30 "S" shaped curves. "The Winding Way is considered one of the finest examples of underground water erosion in the world," Ellis explained. On the tours visitors also learn what stalagmites, stalactites and flow stone are as well as how they are all created. Howe Caverns also offers a "Lantern Tour" and "Adventure Tour" to add to the excitement of touring the caves.