Caverns of Sonora - August 16

From Fort Stockton, we traveled to Sonora, TX. We stayed in the RV park at Caverns of Sonora. There was only one other RV in the park, but lots of visitors to the caverns every day. We had one tree at our site, which was up against the kitchen window. There were some nesting birds in the tree, and periodically, the momma bird would attack the kitchen window. I don't know what kind of birds they were. I tried to get a picture of them through the window, but the screen blurred it out.

The Caverns of Sonora claims to be "internationally recognized as one of the most beautiful show caves on the planet". It is the most beautiful cave I have seen. It's much more active than Carlsbad Caverns, and contains more helictites than most caves. A helictite is similar to a stalactite (hanging from the ceiling), except instead of dripping water and hanging vertically, the water is under pressure, and the helictites form in all different directions, seemingly defying gravity. This cave also claims to have the only known "fish tail" formations. Well worth the visit if you are ever in the area.

Resident goat

Cave popcorn

Fault line in the ceiling of the cave, responsible for the water flow into the cave, and thus, the cave formation.

Cave coral

Flow stone

Mike and I call this cave grapes.

Helictites

Fish tail formation

Part of this room was under water at some time. The parts that were under water formed "dog tooth" crystals.

Stalactites covered with helictites

Moon milk formation