At Caverns State Park, acidic groundwater dissolved crevices just below the surface creating cave passages large enough to walk through. We saw stalactites (that which drips), stalagmites (dripped on), soda straw (tubular), draperies (Flowing films of water that move along down positive-sloping walls build up layers of calcite), and other formations.
Caverns
Limestone is the chief form of calcium carbonate rock which is dissolved by water that contains carbon dioxide, forming a calcium bicarbonate solution in underground caverns. The chemical formula for this reaction is:
CaCO(s)3 + H2O(l) + CO(aq)2 → Ca(HCO3)(aq)2
This solution travels through the rock until it reaches an edge and if this is on the roof of a cave it will drip down. When the solution comes into contact with air the chemical reaction that created it is reversed and particles of calcium carbonate are deposited. The reversed reaction is:
Ca(HCO3)(aq)2 → CaCO(s)3 + H2O(l) + CO(aq)2
An average growth rate is 0.13 mm (0.0051 inches) a year.
The park’s bluffs, springs and caves are referred to as karst terrain (landscape formed from the dissolution of soluble rocks such as limestone).
The caves provide habitat for the blind cave crayfish, cave salamanders and bats.
Our cave tour was led by a volunteer and lasted about 1.5 hours. She was very informative, stopped frequently for photos and answered every question. This cave is much larger than we thought. It pales compared to Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico or Mammoth Caves in Kentucky….but, its Florida, unusual, and well worth the tour!
The land was acquired in 1935. Work on the tour cave and structures within the park were completed by members of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). The CCC was primarily young men ages 17-28. President Roosevelt’s New Deal, established in 1933 to provide jobs to men during the Great Depression. Florida Caverns State Park was officially opened to the public in 1942 (US involvement in WWII ended the CCC).
Caverns State Park
Our campsite was huge and private. We had 50 amp service, water, and sewer. The restrooms were standard for a Florida State park, but, unlike other state parks, it had a musty funk atmosphere. Because of recent rains, rivers were full and there was a lot of standing water. Canoeing was closed because of the water level.
Their Blue Hole was not open for swimming. The water was green with poor visibility from the rains. Jake looking for manatees…wrong location.
The park is located very close to downtown Marianna. We went for dinner at Madison’s Warehouse Restaurant. The staff were very friendly and attentive. They had a small selection of good California wine that was reasonably price. We both ordered the filet (its been a couple of months since we had steak). Overall, the food was average. The vegetables seemed to be from a frozen vegetable mix. The steaks were cooked perfectly but had an unusual flavor. At first we were thinking grass fed or dry aged. Nope, reminded us of fresh frozen.
Chautauqua Vineyards
On our way to camp by the beaches, we saw Chautauqua Winery and had to check it out….they even had parking for RV’s! Their wines were good. They have won a bunch of medals. Their wines are mostly sweet wines from grapes (muscadine) and fruit (blueberry and blackberry) locally. Their Merlot is from central valley of California.
