Head underground with visit to Missouri's caves

Our trip this week is to Meramec Caverns near Stanton, Mo., which once served as the hideout of outlaw Jesse James.

Meramec Caverns, found along what used to be Route 66, is a seven-story, 400 million-year-old complex of mineral formations. Guided tours lasting 80 minutes explain the historic and geologic aspects of the cave.

Nestled among the Ozark foothills, these magnificent caverns chronicle years of history. The caves were used as shelter by Native Americans, hideouts for train robbers and outlaws and legend has it that it was a station on the Underground Railroad.

In the 1700s, a French miner found one of the cavern's greatest natural resources: saltpeter. The substance was used for making gunpowder. During the Civil War, a federal powder mill in the cave was blown up by Confederates.

In 1933, Lester B. Dill, noted caveologist, discovered the seven upper levels of the Caverns. Further exploration revealed 26 miles of underground passages. Meramec Caverns was opened to the public in 1935 as a tourist attraction.

The tours by rangers are conducted along well-lit walkways and all the cavern facilities are handicap accessible.

During the tour, you can see an ancient limestone "wine table" and an entire seven-story mansion. The cavern is the largest commercial cave in the state. Missouri also is known as the "cave state" since it has more than 6,000 surveyed caves.

Meramec Caverns is open year-round and groups are welcome. To get there, head north in Interstate 55 and turn west onto Interstate 270. About five miles later, turn onto Interstate 44 going west and take exit 230 to Stanton.

While you're in the region, take a trip to Onondaga Cave State Park off Interstate 44 in Leasburg, Mo. It offers some of the state's best spelunking.

You will be amazed when you step inside the cave's Big Room, said to be the largest cave living room in the world. Take a 75-minute guided tour to learn about the cave's massive stalagmite formations and wildlife. If you enjoy spelunking, make a day of it with a visit to Cathedral Cave, which is also in the park. On weekends, Cathedral Cave offers guided tours with handheld lights.

To get to Onandaga Cave, go north on Interstate 55 and turn west onto Interstate 270. Head west on Interstate 44 and take exit 214. Turn right onto Highway C and head into Leasburg.

Send your suggestions or ideas to Bill Coomer at P.O. Box 699; Cape Girardeau, Mo. 63702-0699 or e-mail him at bcoomer@semissourian.com.