Meet Patti!

Andrew chatted with her today!

Andrew: Patti, it’s an honor to finally meet you and put a face to a name. You’ve been a very dedicated follower on our Facebook. Can you tell me a little bit about your connection to the cave?

Patti: I was raised just outside of Schenectady. When I was in fifth grade, I visited the caverns on a school field trip. I never forgot it. As an adult, I traveled around a bit and ended up settling in Southern California. I didn’t really think much about the caverns for many years. I came back in 2001 for my honeymoon, and my entire family took a tour. For the past few years, I’ve been living between Vermont and California. Just a few weeks ago when I was visiting my sister, I was able to return for a tour. Howe Caverns has always been a place that I’ve enjoyed coming back to.

Andrew: You’ve also been very active on our Facebook page! We can always count on you for support, positivity, and kind words toward others.

Patti: Yes, I love the highlights you’ve been posting over the past few months. Seeing all the different places and backgrounds of that people come from to visit the caverns has been wonderful. It allows you to connect with your guests in such a unique way.

Andrew: Yes, I agree. As a local myself, it’s definitely been interesting to see how many people travel hundreds to thousands of miles to see something that’s essentially right in our backyards. What do you think it is about the caverns that draws so many people in?

Patti: I believe that it’s a general sense of wonder. As I said earlier, I first visited in the fifth grade, and it was just so eye-opening and has never left my mind. I think that childlike wonder is what sticks with a lot of people that visit here. It’s the same with a lot of historical stone structures, which are a big interest of mine. I’ve traveled quite a bit both in and out of the country and I always seek out what ever monoliths they have nearby. It’s a sense of curiosity that pulls you in, and the experience always stays with you.

Andrew: Based on your life experience up until now, what’s the one thought or philosophy you would like want to share with the world?

Patti: Travel whenever you can, however you can, and talk to as many people as you can. Even if you don’t have a lot of money, just traveling to the next neighborhood or state can expose you to worldviews and experiences you would’ve never had otherwise. I’m always amazed at the sheer number of different cultures that are in the world, and that even though we’re all the same at a base level, we all have a unique perspective and upbringing that influences who we are. And when you do travel, don’t be afraid to take both the tourist path and to go off the beaten path. Good travel is about having a balance of both. It’s just a lot of fun.

Andrew: Patti, it has been a huge honor to finally meet you & chat with you. Thank you so much for visiting!