{"id":1384,"date":"2017-10-02T07:30:29","date_gmt":"2017-10-02T11:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/?page_id=1384"},"modified":"2017-10-13T19:42:46","modified_gmt":"2017-10-13T23:42:46","slug":"big-meadows-the-great-tunnel-detour","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/shearwater-sailing.com\/index.php\/big-meadows-the-great-tunnel-detour\/","title":{"rendered":"Big Meadows: The Great Tunnel Detour via Luray Caverns"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Exit Skyline Drive at Thornton Gap, visit Luray Caverns, return via Swift Run Gap<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We left Mathews Arm bound for Big Meadows with some anticipation and trepidation. The Big Meadows area is the most tourist oriented part of Skyline Drive and contains a large welcome center, a picnic area and the dreaded Marys Rock Tunnel.<\/p>\n

Marys Rock is slightly shorter than the motorhome is tall. Even if we let the air out of the tires, we will still scrape rock by about 6″, placing our damage deposit in serious jeopardy.<\/p>\n

So, being prudent, we exited Skyline Drive at Thornton Gap, detoured via Laury Caverns, and re-entered the drive south of the Marys Rock tunnel.<\/p>\n

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Marys Rock Tunnel entrance – a foot to short for our motorhome, an NPS Photo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

About 45 miles of detour, worth every inch since it eliminated filling out the damage paperwork. Unfortunately, we missed the view of the tunnel (provide by NPS for our convenience), and several of the overlooks. We also missed the tunnel overlook on the South side after being told that turning our motorhome around at the tunnel entrance would “be a challenge.”\u00a0 I felt challenged enough just driving the beast in straight lines.<\/p>\n

The surprising high point of this detour is Luray Caverns. We took the guided tour early in the day when it wasn’t busy. The trip took about 90 minutes and included an organ “concert” on an organ that was constructed to hammer on various cave formations. Surreal doesn’t begin to describe the sound.<\/p>\n

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Luray Caverns organ console. Operates hammers that make sound on the cave formations.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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The narrator said there were frequent weddings held in the organ “ballroom.”<\/p>\n

Over the years, formations were removed from the caverns when the guides encouraged or permitted tourists to take home souvenirs. The formations are now strictly protected, including changing the lights to units that do less damage.<\/p>\n