Yesterday, I ran across a stack of old CD’s in a vintage filing cabinet at the cave. As I started making my way through the thousands of pictures, I ran across one of Lewis Lamon at the World’s Fair in Knoxville circa 1982. Then it hit me, on May 1, this picture will be 37 years old! Let that sink in for a minute. There has been a lot of ‘life’ happen in the 37 years since the fair came to town: internet, cell phones, social media, video games, technology in general- just to name a few…WOW!
Lewis has so many memories captured in little 4×6″ time capsules known as photographs: his time at the cave, friendships, family, adventures, his love of nature. This discovery, with the smiling faces and changing landscapes over the years, got me to thinking about life and the importance of spending time doing what you love with the people you love.
Some of my best memories are of times spent outside exploring my grandpa’s farm as a child, learning to waterski as a teenager, taking my children hiking as an adult, and the list goes on and on. Adventures, no matter how big or small, encourage children to explore, create, and expand their knowledge of the world around them. Fresh air, exercise, and laughter strengthen the body and immune system and helps keep depression and anxiety in check. They won’t even know you are doing something healthy; they will just think they are having fun.
I don’t know everything Lewis and his friends saw at the fair that day, what they found incredible or the stories they told on the way there, but I know for certain they made a lot of priceless memories that are unique and special to them and it carried over to numerous hikes, caving expeditions, and cookouts. Often, they took simple excursions and made them into memory-making adventures. Out of all the pictures to choose from, I’m not certain what drew me to this one. Maybe it was the childhood feelings of excitement and anticipation it brought back of that summer in 1982.
As the weather is starting to warm up, Cumberland Caverns invites you to come and hike the well-marked and incredible nature trail on Cardwell Mountain and make some memories of your own. We would love to hear about your time spent at the cave or on the mountain. Please use the #hikecardwellmountain or #cumberlandcaverns to tag us in your posts. Stay safe and always remember to tell someone where you are going and what time you plan on arriving back home.