In this episode of Slice of Life with Veronica Harper, we explored the Cave of the Mounds, a National Natural Landmark where the temperature below ground is constantly 50-degrees. The cave is located just 30 minutes outside of Madison, Wisconsin and provided us with a great day trip away from the city!
Guided cave tours
To start our day, we went on an exciting the guided tours, which depart every hour. Upon entering the cave, we were given a great overview of the cave and were amazed at the beauty and multitude of stalactites and stalagmites everywhere. There were stunning variations of rock formations in the cave’s interior. We tried to keep an eye out for live critters, but were disappointed when we were told that the interior of the cave is not a good habitat for living creatures since there is no food for them to feed on.
Above ground activities
We discovered that not only can we have fun exploring the underground cave, but we can also enjoy the various activities above ground. One activity we embarked on was to explore the assorted gardens. We decided to go sight seeing through the beautiful butterfly gardens and saw lovely butterflies fluttering through the swaying grasses. Next, we took a stroll through the Prairie and Savannah restoration gardens and saw a variety of animals ranging from wild prairie dogs to singing birds. The diverse paths all connect to Wisconsin’s hiking and biking trails and have stunning views of the driftless area.
Mining for gemstones
Another entertaining activity was mining for glittering gemstones! There were all kinds of various semi- precious gems that emerged as we sifted away the sand in the mining sluice. This activity is fun for kids and adults alike and allows you to really get you hands on a mixture of beautiful rocks and gems, which you can take back home.
Souvenirs
The Cave of the Mounds is a breathtaking place to visit and a wonderful way to spend the day discovering a beautiful piece of Wisconsin by yourself or with family and friends. We ended our trip at the Rock and Souvenir shop where there are great gift ideas. We took our time walking through the store while gazing at the plethora of beautiful rocks and gems along with fish fossils, mobiles of wonderfully polished colorful stone, lamps made out of marble and countless other marvelous finds.
Watch the episode:
Have you been to the Cave of the Mounds? Leave a reply and share your favorite part of the Cave of the Mounds experience with us below!
Please let us know of any other trip ideas you would like us to explore.
Growing up as a globe traveler, Veronica knows travel! She has lived in and visited various countries including Cyprus, Malta, Egypt, the French West Indies, Canada and the United States, and has visited many cities in between. You'll get exclusive experiences when you join her in Keep on Exploring with Veronica. Are you new in town? How about someone who just wants to know what's happening in your area? Come join us for behind the scenes, off the beaten path to cool and unique finds. Veronica will take you through fun filled adventures bringing you the latest in exciting discoveries. Come and see what everyone is talking about and join us for adventures in travel, food and fun!
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