Black Chasm Cavern

I have my biking buddy to thank for introducing me to the wonders of caverns; that was something my family never explored.

Before returning home, we headed for the nearby Black Chasm Cave near the town of Volcano, and ... wow!

This is no run-of-the-mill cave (which, still, would be fascinating).

Look closely at that photo above, and notice the thin white crystalline structures poking horizontally out of a seam in the rock.

But ... but ... gravity, you say? How can this be? Well, evidently, scientists haven't quite figured that out. [Yet.]

This is a cave filled with bizarre, delicate helictites. [The things you learn!]

 They grow every which way, sometimes spiraling into curlicues.

Far, far down, there's a lake. [Keep a tight grip on that phone.] And thank you, Night Sight; this place was meant for you.

The cave is a National Natural Landmark, an official designation that was unfamiliar to me—despite having visited six other sites in California.

Twenty-nine to go ...