The Old Dominion State - Luray, VA

Virginia - part four

(Sightseeing)

June 5, 2018 - June 8, 2018

The Luray Caverns

There are lots of caverns in the NW portion of Virginia and, having seen quite a few caverns already, we debated about seeing these.  However, the AAA travel book rated them quite highly so we eventually decided to check them out.  We're so glad we did!  Of all the caves and caverns we've seen, these were (aside from the waterfall in Ruby Falls Cavern) the best formations we've ever seen.

Here's what you need to think about when you view cave formations:
It takes about 100 years to add 1 inch of additional rock to a formation.

I think this looks like the upper jaw of some prehistoric alligator.

Look carefully at this picture and the one below. 
The formations on the ceiling are being reflected in a pool of water below it.

In the center of this picture is a stalactite which fell from the ceiling at some point.
Notice the flow formations are going sideways and the large flat spot is where it was attached to the ceiling.

The Car and Carriage Caravan Museum

In the 1950's the owner of the caverns set out to establish a new exhibit near the caverns.  It became the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum which contains some beautiful examples of old carriages, wagons, and cars.  

1882 Horse Powered Steam Fire Engine

1840 Conestoga

Stylish 1880 Sleigh.  Has great lines wouldn't you say?

1910-20 Spring wagon hack.
The seats could be removed making it into a wagon for hauling goods.

This 1903 fly net was draped over a horse to help keep flies off.

1896 Peugeot
Check out all the brass fittings and the wooden spoke wheels.

1903 Speedwell - what a beauty.

1908 Delaunay Belleville
Never heard of this one before but you have to admire the style.  Just reeks of money.
Notice that spare tire has a rim inside of it. To change a tire you just unbolt the old tire, then bolt the new one in place.

1908 Sears Autobuggy
Never knew Sears built automobiles.

1914 Locomobile
Imagine racing around the backroads or on a track in this beauty.

1910 Buick Touring Car
Check out the pin stripping and the brass finishings.

1911 Hupmobile

1910 Ford Model T touring car.

1912 Hudson
Love the blue color on this one.

1912 Ford Model T humpback truck

1913 Stanley Steamer

1915 Chevrolet

1914 Ford Model T milk wagon

1932 Rolls Royce Gentleman's Hunting Wagon

1927 Mercedes Benz.
People driving this are wondering what the poor people are doing today.

1929 Ford Model A

1931 Pierce Arrow

1930 Cord

Hope you enjoyed these old cars as much as I did.  They just don't make them like this any more.  Too bad!




The Luray Valley Museum

Amazingly, the general admission to the Luray Caverns also includes admission to the Car Museum and the Luray Valley Museum.  Believe me that each an every one is worth seeing on it's own sake.

The Luray and Shenandoah Valley's were rich in iron ore.  As a result, blast furnaces grew up around the area.
Flat plate stoves were one of the many items created from the iron derived from the soil.
You can see they have interesting designs on the plates.

Another stove as well as some of the surviving plates from others.

Clay is common in the area as well, thus the growth of potteries and the many products made from clay.

Painted hope chest from 1798

Pie Safe with tin front.

Corner cabinet with clay pots.  Nice patina on the doors.

1536 German Bible

Leather key baskets.
Check out the size of those keys!  You'd certainly need something to carry them in.

Civil war portable shower.
Never realized there was such a thing in civil war times.

Dog powered butter churn.  If you look carefully you can just barely see the black dog in the treadmill.

Iron headstones - another product of the iron from the blast furnaces.

Cheese press.

This was really a very interesting museum.  You never know when you're going to see something you've never seen before.  It's also interesting to see how the natural resources of the region determined what products could be made.