Tiny children will not appreciate the beauties of the Caverns and their lack of interest will detract from full enjoyment of the trip by their parents and older members of the family. Accordingly, the park service maintains a day nursery where children may stay during the trip of their families below ground. The charge is $1.50 per day, which includes lunch. Before going below the visitor should make certain his clothing is adequate. The temperature in the Caverns remains at a constant 56 degrees the year around. The winter visitor is usually well equipped with proper clothing, but the summer visitor, dressed for the hot summer temperatures above ground, may become quite chilled after a few moments in the sudden change of some 30 to 40 degrees. Consequently, warm clothing should be worn for the Caverns trip, which should include a medium weight coat or sweater plus heavy skirt or trousers. High heeled shoes are not recommended for the journey, and a change to the low heeled variety is strongly suggested. The trip through the Caverns requires approximately four hours, and a box lunch may be taken if desired, but the added inconvenience it imposes is hardly worth the trouble since a large lunchroom with a capacity for serving 1,200 people per hour has been established in one of the rooms below and each tour stops 40 minutes for lunch at this spot. And now, armed with all of the essential information concerning the park, the Caverns, and the regulations concerning the forthcoming visit to Nature's fairyland, the visitor is eager to get on his way. Park rules prohibit anyone entering alone or without a guide. Trips are conducted every day in the year, beginning hourly in the summertime when the tourist season is at its height, and being less frequent during the winter months. Children under 11 years of age are admitted free when accompanied by an adult who will be responsible for their behavior. The admission for adults is $1.50, including tax, and with the ticket in his hand the visitor waits for the next tour to begin. [Illustration: © BY ROBERT NYMEYER Sheet Stalactites--Queen's Chamber] As the guide collects the many sightseers together who will form his party, the enthusiasm for the trip within each individual mounts to a high tension. At his beckon the members of the party move toward the natural entrance--ready to begin an experience not quite like anything they have ever seen or known--an experience that will linger in their memories as long as they shall live. A view of the Caverns is just ahead! A park ranger briefs the party on the early history of the Caverns, describes its geological aspects, and reviews once again the rules visitors must observe on their trip below. Then, as he flicks a switch, the first section of the black hollow in the earth becomes illuminated. With a swish of his flashlight he directs the members of his party to follow. The trip through the Caverns has begun! [Illustration: © BY ROBERT NYMEYER