Caves anyone?

Caves anyone? Earl Plato
Finally we made it to Bonnechere Caves. Twice in other drives we missed it - first too early - second too late. Smarten up Plato - use the Internet. We did and our trip to Egansville southwest of Pembroke saw us arrive at the Caves on a warm late summer day. I wore short sleeves, no sweater or jacket like the girls. Even on the hottest day in summer the caves are cool. They say, “... for your comfort wear a sweater.”
Do I like caves? Not really. I have been in some enormous caves. But this relatively small limestone cave in the Ottawa Valley has its own underground beauty. Tours every half hour - circa $9.00 for Seniors.
It’s quite primitive in its setting - from an old log cabin as the Visitor Centre you see a display of ancient geological specimens. A young high school senior was our guide. I asked some questions about eurypterids. She smiled and said, “I don’t know.” There were crinoids, arthopods, and fossil plants all specimens that you could hold and examine. Our young guide had a rehearsed presentation that my questions could not deter.
We walked the gravel pathway and entered the steps down some 100 feet plus into a cool surrounding of wet limestone walls. Yes, there were small stalactites on either side. There were the inevitable side tunnels. At the lowest point our guide told us she would switch the lights off. Utter darkness. Hand in front of your face - no see.
The twisting passageways wind through the rock cut by the tireless action of water on limestone.
Entombed in the rock on the one wall and preserved for ever were fossils of coral and sea creatures. Neat. The Caves were discovered in 1851 and opened to the public in 1955. A little slice of nature in the Ottawa Valley - Bonnechere Caves..
Back at the little centre my guide introduced me to the manager and local high school science teacher. “Ask him, he’s an amateur geologist.”
I did. Satisfaction, eh.
Writer’s Note: We were told of the little brown bats that inhabit Bonnechere Caves in the off season, Hundreds of the little mammals make their home in the caves after the Bonnechere River is diverted into the passageways. There is still a lot of room for 400-600 bats to winter over in protected comfort. Come Spring the river is rediverted and the bats move out for the several months that humans explore the caves.
Like something different in nature? Try a visit to Bonnechere Caves in season.