Published: May 14, 2008 01:47 pm            

Carter Caves offers adventure, family fun

High gas prices will be keeping area residents closer to home this summer; no problem because some of the best adventures and family-fun excitement to be found anywhere are right here in Carter County!

Carter Caves State Resport Park in Olive Hill is set for the summer season and had three exciting activities ready to start.

CANOE TRIP ON SMOKEY LAKE

Sign up at the WELCOME CENTER for this leisurely-paced trip on our park's 45-acre lake. For those who have never been canoeing, this would be a great opportunity for your maiden voyage. We provide canoes, paddles and life vests. We recommend you bring bottled water, sunscreen, sunglasses or a hat.  Participants 15 & under must be accompanied by an adult.  Participants must weigh at least 50 pounds to go on the trip. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 & under. A one mile drive to the lakefront may be required. Limited space available so you must sign up at the Welcome Center (or call extension 2547).

Bat Cave Extreme 

•DATES: May 31 & July 12

•TIME: 9:30AM (5 hrs)

•MEETING PLACE: Carter Caves Welcome Center

•DESCRIPTION: This is an extreme cave excursion into our largest cave on the park. The trip will include stooping, bending, climbing and of course lots of crawling through the dark muddy passages of Bat Cave. You will get wet and muddy. You will encounter passages that require hand and knee crawls and belly crawls. Do not attempt this trip if you are claustrophobic, have a bad back, knees, or if you are not in good health.

•FEE: $20 per person (PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED) - limited to 12 participants

•PROVIDED EQUIPMENT: Helmet, Headlamp and Kneepads.

•REQUIRED EQUIPMENT: A backup flashlight with new batteries, long pants & shirt, sturdy boots that cover the ankle, at least two bottles of water, a pack lunch (that is cave friendly or in other words will not smash in your pack while crawling) and a pack to carry your equipment in.

•PARTICIPANTS OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT: Elbow pads, a camera (needs to be in a protective case), and a change of cloths for after the trip.

Movie Night underground in Cascade Cave

On Saturday, May 24, the big screen will be set up in a cance for family-oriented adventure underground in Cascade Cave. Admission is $4 per person and tickets will be presold; showtimes are 6 and 8:30 p.m. Seats are not provided so movie-goers are encouraged to bring a lawn or camp chair.

For more information and to learn the title of next week’s underground show, call Carter Caves State Resort Park at 286-4411.

        

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