Trip leader Ben reports: “Woke up to bright blue skies and lots of sun. We spent the morning enjoying coffee and packing up camp. Near the lodge there was a short hike to a beautiful overlook.

“We sadly had to say goodbye to the hikers heading back to New York, but the rest of us headed to Luray Caverns. We spent a few hours wandering through the mile-long caverns, looking at towering stalagmite columns and mirrored pools. We even got to hear the Great Stalacpipe Organ!”

According to Wikipedia: “Luray Caverns … is adorned with speleothems such as columns, stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, and mirrored pools. The caverns host the Great Stalacpipe Organ, a lithophone made from solenoid-fired strikers that tap stalactites of varied sizes to produce tones similar to those of xylophones, tuning forks, or bells.

“ … Luray Caverns was discovered on August 13, 1878, by five local men, including Andrew J. Campbell (a local tinsmith), William Campbell, John ‘Quint’ Campbell, and local photographer Benton Stebbins. Their attention had been attracted by a protruding limestone outcrop and by a nearby sinkhole noted to have cool air issuing from it. Seeking a cavern, the men started to dig and, about four hours later, a hole was created for the smallest men (Andrew and Quint) to squeeze through, slide down a rope, and explore by candlelight.”

Of Trip 15’s conclusion, Ben says: “After cave exploring, we sadly had to say our goodbyes to the group. A three-day trip packed full of hikes and fun!”