Mammoth Cave National Park, The Ferry and Little Hope Cemetery

Copyright 2014, CABS for Reflections From the Fence

Our kids had been to Mammoth Caves, however, we had not.  On the way home from Florida this spring, we decided we needed to correct that oversight.  We booked a tour of the caves.  We left Chattanooga with regrets, and onward north we traveled.  We took 24 to Nashville.  We found it to be a delightful drive, a bit curvy in a spot or two and some mountain grades.  Jolly and Man handled the situation with grace and ease.

When we arrived in Cave City Kentucky at our campsite, we decided to take a run over to the park and check out the when and where of our tour.  We spent a few leisurely hours doing just that.

Driving around we found the Green River Ferry:

According to signage, ferries were used in the area before 1885.  There were 8 former ferry crossings listed on the signs.  Crops and wagons and people all used the ferries.  This ferry is one of two left in the park.  This ferry is the only one currently functional.

We decided to skip trying to get Jolly on that ferry, figuring he would not have fit, so we moved on.  (Later research shows that indeed Jolly would not have fit, there is a length restriction of no more than 16 feet.  Jolly is much longer than 16 foot.)

So, back to investigating the park on other roads, when we came upon:

Dogwoods and redbuds were blooming beautifully:

A few of the headstones, may they Rest in Peace.

Note, the Mammouth Cave National Park website maintains some cemetery data.  There are quite a few cemeteries within their boundaries.

Little Hope Cemetery is represented on Find A Grave, currently showing 273 burials.

Two days later we would visit the caves, I'll show you soon.  First tho, we spent a day visiting Horse Cave and take another nice ride around in the National Park.



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