ME: 8/1/07 Ruby Falls

By now it's so late, we feel certain we won't get our money's worth out of the aquarium fee, so we decide to go to Ruby Falls instead. We left the Saturn in its parking spot and all rode in Betsy's car. It wasn't too far . . . just to the edge of downtown and then up the side of Lookout Mountain. It was $14.95 per person, which was $5 less than the aquarium. That's the same price as the train ride . . . tough act to follow.

We didn't have to wait long until it was time to take our elevator ride down. The three of us got on and then he stopped the couple behind us and said they would have a 12-15 minute wait for the next tour. Shwew.

We had a fun tour guide, a young girl. It turned out she'd only been doing this for 3 months. We chatted a bit, then they took our photo for the obligatory tourist trap opportunity at the end of the tour. As we rounded the corner, we joined what looked like 3 other elevators full of people. We thought we were having a personalized tour but now we were among the masses. There were probably 50 people in our group now. But it turned out to be fine. She spoke clearly and was well amplified. There were several pre-recorded presentations that she played along the way and they were easily understood.

If you've been to other caves, it was "just another cave" with stalactites and stalagmites (and columns and drapes, etc.) and interesting formations that someone named—some being obvious, others obscure. It was pleasant enough. Then we got to the falls. Wow. They were a little overdramatic in their presentation of them with lights and music, but it didn't matter. They were spectacular. It was definitely worth $14.95 to see them.

Unlike Old Stone Fort, these people did a very good job of telling the history and the science behind everything . . . just enough detail to satisfy your curiosity and not so much that you were bored or confused. They had understandable and helpful diagrams and animations. The whole presentation was generally very well done.