Hibernation roosts.  In this case, just inside the natural entrance of JewelCave where lots of bats spend the winter.

We came in through a man made entrance so no bats around us.  A great guide led us through about 1 ½ miles of the 168+ miles of JewelCave.  Most of the cave walls are covered with calcite crystals in layers up to a foot thick that formed while the cavities were still filled with water.  I liked her description, its like walking around inside a huge geode.  Since the water receded, more traditional formations have grown.  There are stalactites, stalagmites, columns, drapery stalactites, soda straw formations, and a special thin section drapery formation call bacon. 

It really looks like a slice of bacon, a twenty foot long slice of bacon, hanging from the wall and ceiling.

They offer a real caving tour too.  The catch?  You can’t go unless you can show that you can pass through a space 8 ½” x 24”  The very thought makes my pulse quicken so it didn’t matter much that there was no way I could get though it.