Dave's Travel Adventures: Marble Falls & InnerSpace Caverns -- Dave’s Family Visits the Austin Area

DAY FIVE (Monday, 17 March 2003): LONGHORNS, RANGERS, AND CAVES

Since we’d scratched the surface of Austin proper, today I decided would be a nice time to drive around the area that surrounds the city. I figured this would be a nice way for everyone to see the Hill Country region. We went out 620 past where Mansfield Dam was, and followed farther west. Once past the dam (and into the Lakeway area), the hills became more extreme than what we’d seen previously. As far as this group of Northern New Yorkers were concerned, these were still “hills,” and not anything remotely close to the mountains they were used to.

Route 620 ended in an out-of-the-way place called Bee Caves (which wasn’t much more than an intersection with a barren strip mail), so I recommended we go north to see what was there. With looking at the MapCo book, I knew eventually we’d come to a section which would cross 183, and continue east to Interstate 35. We entered into the small town of Burnet, and the land had become flatter and more graze-worthy. The consensus of the family this was probably ranching land, and the thought was if we could find a Texas Longhorn. I could’ve taken them down to the University of Texas campus in Austin if they wanted to see a Longhorn, but they wanted to be the actual bovine animal. I didn’t grow up on the farm, and have no attraction to its critters or implements, except when they end up on my dinner plate.

A few miles later we were now into Marble Falls, an equally small town. We continued up the road a short distance, and then spotted some of the specific cattle sitting out in a field. It took a few moments, but we found an access way to get back to where they were. They’d seen their cows, and while not the best segue, it was now time for lunch.

After we stopped to the local chamber of commerce, and got a tip, we pulled into a nearby place called Storms. Described as a “burger joint,” as it seemed like a decent place. It reminded me of a local diner or grill place (like Dog Shack or Zack’s, back in my old stomping grounds). Storms is a local chain which first opened in 1950, and noted that Elvis frequented their Lampasas location (when the singer was stationed at nearby Fort Hood during his G.I. days).

When we entered this location, Earl made a sound which I first thought was a squeal of delight. He noted there was a catfish plate on the menu, and he knew immediately what he was getting. The rest of us got light fare, like cheese burgers or hot turkey sandwiches. The food was good, and it was a nice little tip. This is one of the reasons why you ask the locals where they liked to go.

Sitting near our table was a man in inconspicuous clothes (jeans, button-down shirt, and such), and a large belt with a gun hanging off of it. I gave a sly look, and then noticed next to the holster was a Texas Ranger badge. This was a law-enforcement officer, although he looked nothing like Chuck Norris. From our vantage point in the dining area (which was on the opposite side of the building where we parked), we noticed his truck (with official markings) sitting out there. I think the group was giddy, as within a short period of time they’d gotten to see two authentic, unique Texas things. Earl was too busy enjoying his catfish to have quite the same reaction.

The Ranger finished his meal, and was in the process of disposing of his garbage by the exit door. We then saw a car pulled into Storms in a rather haphazard manner, and that obviously got the Ranger’s attention. The car, containing a couple rough-looking men, was barely slowing down when it passed the official truck. It immediately accelerated, and hauled ass out of the parking lot. Without saying a word, the Ranger bolted out the door, hopped in his truck, and then immediately gave chase.

We had no idea what was going on, but it was highly entertaining to see a Ranger in action. Mary commented that we should check the news tonight to see if there was any news about this. Considering we were a distance from Austin, and those guys seemed like pretty small fish, I told her I doubted this would even be a blip on the news wire. Bruce commented that whoever those guys in the car where, they obviously attracted attention to themselves by shooting out of the place the way they did.

When we’d been in the chamber of commerce I’d picked up a pamphlet on an attraction which I wanted to check out. And since we weren’t too far away (and short drive across Route 29 to Georgetown), I convinced the group we should visit InnerSpace Caverns. My parents weren’t completely thrilled about being underground, but they’d give it a shot.

Mum had concerns about being packed like sardines in a tiny elevator (like they do at Howe’s Cavern, back in New York), but that wasn’t the case here. We filed out a side door on to an open-air tram, which would take us a short way down to the cave entrance. Our guide explained this was the only man-made portion of the cave, which was dug to allow access to it. The tram would stop at a point lower than the cave, and we’d walk up about ten feet or so to reach the proper level. This was done so the cooler cave air (which remained at a constant 72 degrees) would remain inside. The entrance design kept the hot outside air from getting in, and the cool inside air escaping.

Where we gathered as the guide was getting everyone organized was a place with a red phone set into the wall. The phone was obvious intended for emergency purposes, but we had some fun with it. Bruce commented this must’ve been the phone on the other end of White House, but he thought that “hot line” went to the Kremlin. I said this was the phone that range when Commissioner Gordon called from Gotham City.

InnerSpace is what is considered a “living cave.” (We obviously paid attention to what the guide was telling the group.) The rain water seeps through the ground, and picks up minerals. The water drips into the cave, and leaves the minerals behind, thereby creating the stalagmites and stalactites (the ones on the floor are called stalagmites, because it might reach the ceiling). The water pools in various points in the cave, which gets absorbed back into the ground, and then eventually ends up in the Edwards Aquifer.

Humans secrete oils (which are in the greatest concentrations from our hands), and these oils keep the minerals in the water from bonding to the ones present in the limestone. If enough people touch a formation, it’ll stop growing, so touching _anything_ in the cave is strictly prohibited. In order to illustrate that point, the guide showed us one rock which had been set aside for people to touch. This formation had obviously stopped growing, and it was darker in color from the dirt and oil from untold numbers of hands. Mary said that she’d treat it like the Blarney Stone and kiss it. While funny, we suggested that probably wasn’t the healthiest thing to do.

Soon we’d come into the main chamber of the area, known as the Discovery Cave. Back in the 1960’s, a new overpass was being constructed for Interstate 35, and the crew started loosing drill bits down this one hole. The newest guy on the team (who was also the skinniest) was handed a flashlight and sent down on the drill to see how big of a space they’d discovered. It was bigger than anyone realized. This portion alone could hold a football field. No one knew about this cave, because it had been sealed up by a landslide some 14,000 years ago. The construction crew had made a major discovery.

Paleoarcheologists explored the site, and found many side tunnels off of the main caves. While excavating the area, bones were found of many Paleolithic critters, including saber-tooth cats, mammoths, and camels. No evidence of any primitive humans here. It appeared that the cave first opened up as a sink hole, and many animals fell in. Since they couldn’t get out, they died. Over the years, more and more evidently took a misstep, and tumbled inside, which added to the pile of remains which were sifted through in modern times.

There were cement pathways created for visitors to walk on, and some metal railing to hang on to (as the floors could get slippery), but beyond that the caves looked the same as when they were first discovered; and how they looked for thousands of years when they were sealed up, an unknown treasure waiting to be discovered. As we walked along, water would drip down in us, which the guide referred to as “cave kisses.”

As the tour went on, the guide used her flashlight beam to point out the various formations, many of which were named. Much like when puffy clouds take on a familiar silhouette, so did the rocks inside. It took some imagination on a few to figure out where the names came from, but on many we could see why they were labeled what they were.

I noticed there were a number of smaller caves that had blue lights in them. The guide explained those were areas which hadn’t been fully explored yet, but were too small for someone to crawl through. The portions of the cave the tour went on where easily walked by most visitors, although there were other sections which afforded a more “intensive” experience for those who wanted to slog through muddy, undeveloped tunnels.

After enjoying the cave tour, we took a moment to relax out in the picnic area with some ice cream we had from the café on site. We didn’t want to eat too heavily, because we wanted to have a nice dinner tonight.

We cruised back down to the hotel to enjoy the pool before the evening rush began. Mary turned on the TV in order to see if there was anything about the Ranger we saw earlier. No story about that, no surprise there. We did see a report on a Fuddruckers location which was just closed for Health Board violations. This wouldn’t have even been a blip on our radar, except it was the Anderson Lane location we’d just eaten at the other day. No one had any issues, so we didn’t worry about.

The family wanted some “Texas-style steaks” tonight, but I wasn’t sure where we could find that. I went down to the front desk to see if there were any recommendations, and we received what turned out to be a good tip. We were directed to a place called Texas Land & Cattle, which was located near where routes 183 and 620 crossed (not too far from where my house was). We got in before the main dinner rush, so it didn’t take long to get seated. We had a nice dinner, and really enjoyed this establishment.