Doing the Fat Man Squeeze in the Mark Twain Cave
Written: Aug 16 '07 (Updated Aug 17 '07)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Everything!!!
Cons: Nothing
The Bottom Line: If you visit Hannibal, Missouri don't miss the Mark Twain Cave tour!
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| cmaw63's Full Review: Mark Twain Cave |
I just got home from Hannibal, Missouri and couldn't wait to write about Mark Twain Cave. It was a great experience from beginning to end.
The Beginning
Another staff and I took seven developmentally disabled adults to Hannibal, Missouri for an overnight trip. The temperature was 109 degrees fahrenheit with a heat index around 114. Even those who had some reservations about going underground into a cave were ready to go when I told them the temperature was a cool 52 degrees. I had researched the times and prices on their website, www.marktwaincave.com.
OPERATING HOURS:
SUMMER 9am to 8pm
April-May 9am to 6pm
Sept-Oct 9am to 6pm
Nov.-March 9am to 4pm
Regular Admission
Adult: $15.00
Child: 5 through 12: $ 8.00
(Children under 5 are free)
High School $15.00
There are lower rates for groups of 20+
There were 9 of us so we didn't qualify for the group rate. I had prepared an envelope that contained the $15 admission rate for each of us. The woman at the counter asked if we were from a group home for the developmentally disabled. When I said that we were, she offered the lower group rate. If I would have had our company's tax exempt number we would have received an even lower price. I was happy that we had saved almost $37. Off to a great start.
With the nine of us we filled the next tour group (about 20 people) so only had a few minutes wait until we were taken into a room to watch a 7 minute video. It told the history of Mark Twain Cave including stories about Tom Sawyer (Mark Twain) and Becky Thatcher (Laura Hawkins). Our tour guide, Jamie, introduced himself before starting the movie. He, also, warned us that his jokes would be corny, but we better laugh as he was the only one in the group that knew the way out of the cave. He appeared to be a young man that truly enjoyed his job.
The Middle
Jamie led us through the cave that was lighted and had semi smooth paths. He stated we would be walking a little over a half mile. I was concerned about a couple of my consumers as one has minor heart problems and another has a prosthetic leg. I was assured that it was an easy pace that would be doable by all in the group. One of the first named places in the cave we came to was the "Fat Man Squeeze". I believe it appeared much more narrow than it was due to the wider areas we had passed through before it. I will admit to having to turn sideways in some parts of the "squeeze". Jamie entertained us in a large room area with a story of Tom, Becky, and their sixteen candles. The lights were shut off and 16 electric candles were lit to show how much light was in the cave when Tom and Becky used the cave room. Another story showed how Tom had only one candle that slowly burned out. It was a perfect blackness. They were much braver in the old days than I would have been.
Our guide, Jamie, led us to an area that had names scratched, drawn, and otherwise put into the cave walls. He pointed out several interesting ones with his flashlight so we could get better looks. There was a very nice drawing of Mark Twain at one point. One of the most famous autographs is that of Jesse James. It was pointed out that the signature was authenticated by 3 handwriting experts. The cave is a natural landmark now and will garner you up to 1 year in jail and/or a $1000 fine if you autograph the walls.
Another area had natural benches that we were allowed to sit on and take a break. As we wandered on we saw the rainbow grotto, frozen waterfall, wishing well, the slide, and many more interesting points. Jaimie kept us amused with his jokes and stories about each place.
Almost the End
We were a little over 3/4's of the way through the cave tour when one of the consumers had a grand mal seizure. He went down without any warning. Luckily, he had been between the other staff and myself so were able to stop him from further injuring himself by keeping him confined and his head off of the floor. Jamie, the tour guide, stopped the group and came back to see what help he could offer. He handled the situation with calm concern. We were underground in a narrow cave passage with several other people and he kept his humor and professional attitude. Kudos to the young man. He used an intercom, that was placed discreetly in the cave wall, to ask for other employees to come help. Two women came to stay with the other staff and consumer while Jamie continued the rest of the tour. It only took a few more minutes and we were back in the gift shop where we had started. I took the other six consumers outside to wait. After a bit, Jamie came outside to inform me that the seizure had ended, they were just waiting for the consumer to get oriented and they would bring him out. Finally, after about a half hour, all of us were back together and ready to go.
The End
Before we left we decided to visit The Rock Shop next to the cave. It is a small store where you can buy different size and types of bags that contain sand and (if you are lucky) gemstones. We bought 8 large bags (approx. 3 lbs.) at $6.95 per bag. I, being an emerald lover, bought an "emerald bag" for $8.50. We were given a gemstone identification card and a screened box then sent out to the water trough to "pan" for gemstones. We found several different types of gems; sapphire, rose quartz, raspberry quartz, amethyst, and others. All fairly small stones. Did I find any emeralds? You bet! I was amazed to find an approximately 2 inch long by 1 inch wide stone. I took it back in the store to have a positive identification made. The man behind the counter seemed to be as amazed as I was when he saw it. He held it under a bright light and told me it was one of the largest stones he had seen there. I did find another fairly good sized emerald, too. I can't wait to take them to a jeweler and see what I can have done with them.
The Mark Twain Cave was the best experience of our trip. The cave was interesting and an easy walk. The staff of Mark Twain Cave could set examples for every tour spot in the United States. They were professional, knowledgeable, helpful, friendly, and unflappable. Jamie, and the others, made this a standout tour!
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Anytime
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Epinions.com ID:
cmaw63
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 in Pets, Home and Garden, Books |
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Member: Julie
Location: Illinois, USA
Reviews written: 307
Trusted by: 73 members
About Me:
Looking forward to my first grandbaby. She's due November 24!
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