October 17, 2009 10:00 AM - 40 attended
Lost Sea Overnight Underground Camping Adventure
This location is shown only to members
Join us for a fun Fall weekend adventure! We will carpool and head north and stop at the Elijay Apple Festival for a few hours. Then we will head to Sweetwater, Tn.
Deep inside a mountain near Sweetwater in East Tennessee is a remarkable body of water known as The Lost Sea. Listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as America’s largest underground lake, the Lost Sea is part of an extensive and historic cave system called Craighead Caverns.
We will have dinner at Craighead's Cavern Restaurant, then start the regular cavern tour as well as an exciting tour into the undeveloped cave rooms where one crawls through cracks, crevices, nooks, and crannies. On this tour, guides point out many striking formations such as anthodites (cave flowers), which are so rare that the Lost Sea contains 50% of the world's known formations. Also, visitors view rooms where ancient jaguar roamed, moonshine was made, and saltpeter was mined for gunpowder by Confederate soldiers. We will also board a glass bottom boat across the underground lake. We will sleep overnight in the caves, in the morning have breakfast there and then head to the relaxed atmosphere of East Tennessee's famous "Old Sweetwater Village." Step back in time and enjoy shaded walkways leading to authentic log cabins. You will love our General Store, Ice Cream Parlor, Gem Mine and Glassblower. Our cafe, the Cavern Kitchen, offers sandwiches and real pit barbeque to hungry visitors. Ample picnic facilities and a nature trail are also available. We will then head home Sunday afternoon.
Exploring the Lost Sea will prove to be fun and educational and will not be forgotten for years to come.
Pricing: Includes Cave Tour, Boat Ride, Spelunking and overnight stay.
Members: $28.00
Non-Members: $35.00
Food Cost: $6.00 for dinner, $4.50 Breakfast
The caverns have been known and used since the days of the Cherokee Indians. From the tiny natural opening on the side of the mountain, the cave expands into a series of huge rooms. Nearly a mile from the entrance, in a room now known as “The Council Room,” a wide range of Indian artifacts including pottery, arrowheads, weapons, and jewelry have been found, testifying to the use of the cave by the Cherokees.
One of the cave’s earliest visitors was a giant Pleistocene jaguar whose tracks have been found deep inside the cave. Some 20,000 years ago the animal apparently lost his way in the darkness and wandered for days before plunging into a crevice far from the daylight he sought. Some of the bones, discovered in 1939, are now on display in the American Museum of Natural History in New York. Others, along with plaster casts of the tracks, are among the exhibits at the visitor center of the Lost Sea.
What to Wear?
The temperature in the cave is a constant 58 degrees Fahrenheit. When you are moving you won't get cold, but while at the campsite a light jacket is advisable. Slacks, a warm, long-sleeved shirt and old shoes are ideal. You will get muddy, so be sure to bring a change of clothes.
What Equipment to Bring?
First of all, a good flashlight with extra batteries is required for each participant. A canteen of drinking water is necessary since we do not have drinking water available in the cave. You will need a sleeping bag, ground cloth or mattress for sleeping. The cave is not a motel, as everything is relatively primitive inside. We do not have showers or wash basins (it is a good idea to bring wet wipes). Plan on being dirty until you leave the cave. We do have a toilet, however. You are responsible for your dirty clothes, so please do not leave them in the cave.
What Not to Bring
Do not bring excess baggage, as it is hard to carry into the cave. You will be going through the natural entrance and down over 100 steps to the campsite.
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Hailey
I spoke to them and if anyone is concerned about size of spaces in the cave, they can take you a different way. No one will get stuck :)
Posted July 11, 2009 at 5:37 PM -
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Tiffani Hollis
I can't go, but I've already paid. Does anyone want to take my reservation?
Posted September 3, 2009 at 8:50 AM -
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Hailey
yes we will have a meeting place and head up together. I will let everyone know soon.
Posted September 29, 2009 at 12:59 AM -
Asha
I'm interested in carpooling with someone. I'll live in Smyrna. Thanks!
Posted September 30, 2009 at 8:19 AM -
Lisa F.
Hailey, when you say "head up together" what exactly does that mean? Caravanning? Etc.? Can you provide more details on getting there, please?
Posted October 9, 2009 at 3:52 PM -
Racer Todd
I'm driving up from Decatur if anyone wants to carpool.
Posted October 9, 2009 at 6:01 PM -
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Karen VH
Are we supposed to pay in advance for the meals using Paypal?
Posted October 10, 2009 at 12:37 PM -
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Hailey
As of right now you will pay for meals there in cash, if that changes I will let you know.
Thanks!
Posted October 11, 2009 at 11:58 PM -
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A former member
I am reaching out if anyone wants to carpool. I live in Vinings and I would love to hitch a ride; probably meet at Cumberland Mall.
I am not really trying to leave before Noon on Sat but I am very flexible. :)
Noel Grant
860-329-1630 cPosted October 13, 2009 at 8:51 AM -
A former member
Excited and getting ready for this weekend. My daughter and I are looking to carpool. Email: leraindrops@gmail.com or call (404) 831-6516
Posted October 14, 2009 at 9:07 AM -
Jennifer
Can I bum a ride off someone? I'll meet you wherever and split gas $; I just don't trust my poor old car to make it TN at the moment! jenneikirk@msn.com
Posted October 14, 2009 at 9:18 AM -
Jewett (a.k.a. Chris)
Anyone wanting to carpool with me from Gwinnett Co. let me know @
404-867-0435Posted October 14, 2009 at 6:08 PM -
Francine
UPDATE: I live in W. Cobb and can take 1 more passenger. We can meet somewhere in the Smyrna/Vinings/Cumberland area where you can leave your car overnight. Leaving about 1:00, not going to Elijay. You can e-mail me here or at Contessa595@yahoo.com if interested. Ciao!
Posted October 14, 2009 at 10:43 PM -
Hailey
If you did not get my email with all the info for this weekend, please email me.
Posted October 15, 2009 at 10:35 PM -
A former member
Two of my friends backed out, so I have two extra reservations for this weekend...if anyone has friends who want to go, just email me! andrea.beshear@gmail.com.
Posted October 16, 2009 at 12:12 PM -
BobM
Weather in Sweetwater, TN. On Saturday high 49 & low 37 with 30% precip. Sunday High 55, low 32 with 0% precip. Timezone remains Eastern with Sunrise at 7.46am and Sunset at 7.00pm
Posted October 16, 2009 at 5:59 PM -
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Kamali
hey anyone I need a Carpool!!!! email kbent07@gmail.com Please! I'm not going to be able to go if I can't find a carpool.
Posted October 16, 2009 at 9:16 PM -
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**Aileen**
This was AMAZING!!! Loved it can't wait for the next one.
Posted October 19, 2009 at 11:20 AM -
Cathy
I'd love to see everyone's photos. Please post them here if you took some! My camera died after 8 pictures. :-(
Posted October 19, 2009 at 8:08 PM
RSVPs closed
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CathyCo-OrganizerWhat a cool event! There was a lot more spelunking than was expected. Apparently we saw all of the cave there was to see and got to do a lot more than most groups spending the night.
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AshaSky's the Limit JournalistIncredible experience!!!!
!. Patient and fun Organizer. You Rock Hailey:)
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JudiFantastic. My second caving trip in a month and I love it. It feels good to get down & dirty! Great job Hailey!
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FrancineIt was fantastic! Had been wanting to foray into caving for some time, and this was not only a great introduction, but an inspiration to continue! Hailey had everything well organized. Thanks much Hailey!
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A former member+1 guest
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A former member+3 guests
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Your organizer's refund policy for Lost Sea Overnight Underground Camping Adventure
Refunds are not offered for this Meetup.
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