Finding Howe Cavern

One gloomy, cloudy day unsuitable for wonderful scenic photographs, Norm and I decided to visit Howe Cavern, actually it is called Howe Cave now. Since we hadn't been there for about 16 years with the kids, we got basic directions, take I-88, get off at exit 22 and then follow the signs.

We had no problem getting to the exit and we found the signs clearly marked. As we traveled we talked about the Schoharie Valley and how it might be nice to have a house on the ridge with a beautiful scenic view of the valley. We saw more signs, "Howe cave straight ahead".


At one intersection we noticed a particularly colorful sign for the Secret Caverns. We had tried to go to the Secret Caverns last year, unfortunately during their closed season.

We continued down the road, came to Howe Cavern Road, but saw no sign indicating which way to turn. We continued several more miles before Norm turned on his GPS which announced, "Find a place to make a legal u-turn." We had missed the turn 3 miles back. Norm thanked me profusely for his gift of a Blackberry phone.

On the way back, we talked about how well marked the road had been until the time we had to turn. Wouldn't that be the best time to have a sign?

We thoroughly enjoyed the cavern. I am amazed at the extent of God's creative power...above and below ground. Our guide, Ben did an excellent job pointing out unique formations and telling us the history of the cave. I can't imagine wading 8 hours in knee to waist deep water, a lantern in one hand and swatting away bats with the other hand as an enjoyable experience that I'd be willing to pay for. But now, with a bricked walkway and sturdy boats, it is a very nice time.

On our way out, heading back to I-88, Norm laughed and told me to look in my rear view mirror. I saw a huge...HUGE sign that said, "HOWE CAVE! TURN HERE!" With a big arrow pointing left. The sign was as wide as the road and about 10 feet high. How had we missed that sign? It was because of a smaller, colorful, glittering sign pointing to the Secret Cavern.

We are easily distracted by something that glitters and shines or makes noise. Mike Saccocio of Schenectady City Mission gave a sermon about the blinking red light on our phone that grabs our attention to let us know we have a call or message, or even more persistent, our ever present cell phones that ring or vibrate demanding we pay attention to them. Sometimes we go pretty far out of the way before we even notice we are off track.

But God is always faithful to get us going in the right direction again. He continually woos us to follow Him, wanting us to stop and listen for His direction, listening past those things that scream at us, demanding our attention.


"The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.' Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave." 1 Kings 19:11-13 "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left." Isaiah 30:21