Meet Audrey from Howes Cave, NY

At the center of the hamlet is the local animal shelter and Howe Caverns is also located in the town of Howe’s Cave. We joke that when guests visit, and put Howes Cave in their GPS, there’s a good chance that they will accidentally wind up at the shelter and could potentially go home with a puppy or a kitten. This is also where the train, which at the time was frequented by far more travelers, would stop. Right next to the animal shelter. there is now a leveled empty lot where, at one time, there used to be a restaurant called Tilson’s Lunch. Tilson’s used to be a bustling hub where travelers and locals often stopped along their journeys. All of this is located a short distance from where Lester Howe’s Cave House still stands today. Fun fact: when Lester Howe began giving tours the railroad industry was thriving and many of his guests would travel to the cave via train. Tilson’s Lunch was owned by Audrey‘s grandparents! When her grandparents got older, they ended up selling the restaurant to her grandfather‘s brother. Audrey’s grandfather assisted in laying the conditioned brick walkways in our cave that our guests use today. Her father and her uncle were tour guides here at Howe, as well as Audrey! She began giving tours in the 1980s; when female tour guides were first introduced to pushing the boats. At the time, she was in college and said she made a lot of wonderful memories here. Audrey has moved away from Howes Cave but still lives in upstate New York. She has three children that she is incredibly proud of and one absolutely adorable granddaughter. She has spent the past 10 years working for child protective services. She said, “It’s not a pretty job and no one loves to see us show up at their front door. I also never really get to know if I’ve made a difference in any child’s life because once my work is over contact is cut off. There have been times when I’ve worked with families and I know that I’ve brought them resources that have helped changed their lives for the better.” This past year, Audrey lost her father and said the loss of a parent is the hardest thing she has ever had to endure. Today she brought her son and his significant other, who came to visit her from Texas, for a tour and to experience the generational tradition of a Howe Caverns adventure. The one thing she wants to tell the world is, “No matter what your circumstances are in this very moment, everything is going to be okay.” Audrey, thank you for coming back to share your family story and for bringing your family to visit!