After mysteriously ending up at Charlestown (when you are poor, slots are not fun, CAUSE YOU HAVE NO MONEY TO PLAY THEM). Anyway, I made it to the overflow parking lot for Harpers Ferry, walked to the service vehicles depot (I thought it was a trail at first), went into town, and drove around and around looking for a parking space. Parked at an empty spot, got about ten minutes on the river, and back on the road. Visited Gathland state park up Rte 67, and, for the hell of it, decided to take a left when I was gonna take a right. Saw a sign for Crystal Grottoes caverns. Pulled into a produce stand, asked where the caves were (the sign didn't have directions) and ended up at the caverns. Little spot on the side of the road, they were doing construction, they had a fire last year. Not much electricity, generator for lights, and a few power tools. It was cool inside, but the door was wide open, and I didn't see any AC units. Didn't think central was running. It was air from the caves being pumped into the building. Very comfortable inside!
Anyway, I'm no geologist, but the caves were pretty damn cool. I've always wanted to go to Larea (spelling?) caverns in VA, but haven't made it. The cave wasn't as big as the pictures at national park caves like the one in VA, but it was pretty big. As for the tour itself, the guides were the owners kids, they knew their trivia. The cave was found in the 20's by a road crew building RTE 34. About ten years later, tours were regularly given.
They did the whole turn off the lights deal, after about two minutes of this, I was an ass and turned on my Surefire
. Lit up an entire chamber. Ceilings of maybe 30 feet in height, some rooms you could put a bungalow in, others, I had to bend over and go sideways. I am a big guy, but I could get through.
BTW, constant 53 degrees F, very comfortable compared to the 90 outside. Tour took about a half hour, very informative and fun. Many smaller passages all over the caves, and the one older guide told me that the owner lets experienced cavers that he knows explore those, but no one else. Told me no archaelogical finds, yet.
Heres a few links...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crystal_Grottoes
http://www.goodearthgraphics.com/showcave/md/crystal.html
Something knife related, I did drive past Bill Morans shop on US Alt 40, a few miles outside of Middletown MD. Unfortunately, a big no trespassing sign was on the door, and, who knows if anyone would have given a tour if they were there.
, down in the old town too. Cross the Potomac on the old RR bridge, and you can hike a portion of the C & O Canal Tow Path; plus a portion of the Appalachian Trail at the same time. 
