. Volume 2 Jump to Page Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Go Back to Index TOGA NEWS Issue 9, September, 2002

Bev was the first to notice the breeze and excitedly called us over to where she was standing. It was remarkable. She was standing about 15 feet away from us and standing there, you could feel a cold breeze emanating from the mouth of the quarry. Only then did it dawn on me. This is a cave, albeit manmade, it's still a cavern, and as such, it's cool inside. Upon realizing this, we couldn't wait to get inside. We rushed for the entrance. At about 40 feet from the opening the temperature dropped to about 70 degrees and after only one step inside the quarry the temperature had dropped to what felt like a bone chilling 55 degrees. IT FELT GREAT!

      As we walked inside we realized the immensity of the quarry. The main body of each cavity was about 50 feet wide and 100 feet from floor to ceiling and extended back as far as the eye could see, and even further, I'm sure. Then there were connecting tunnels or rooms dug out between each cavity. To support the roof huge 30 to 40 foot square columns extended from floor to ceiling and were spaced about every 50 feet or so.

      It was quite a thrill to stand inside this horrific monument, knowing that our common ancestor, John Harry (Dick) O'Neal, was here as the mountain was being quarried. As each block and chunk of stone was removed from the spot where it was no doubt created and had lain in solitude for millions of years. And to wonder what structures these stones may have gone into building. Perhaps, bridges, courthouses, who knows, some of these stones may have ended up in our own foundations, driveways and highways.

To show the scale of the quarry, see below.
1. Me in Doorway.
2. Bev & Ken inside the quarry.
3. Ken & Dorothy near the entrance.

      After leaving the quarries we headed back to civilization and visited a couple of cemeteries in the Connellsville area before heading back to our rooms to prepare for day 2. Day One of TOGA-X was drawing to a close and although we were tired were already looking forward to Day 2.