I Explored a Christmas Cave in Alabama to Welcome the Holiday Season

I've long heard about the joy of visiting Wonderland Under Warrior at Rickwood Caverns State Park in Alabama, and nothing could have prepared me for what it was like to experience myself this holiday season. This Christmas cave in Alabama near Birmingham is a hands-down must-do, especially if you've got a lot on your mind like I did.

Rickwood Caverns certainly qualifies as an Alabama natural wonder and far beyond—and yet I'd not personally explored its 260-million-year-old rock formations carved by a prehistoric ocean bed.

Now, have I toured 24,000-year-old lava tube caves and climbed 15,000-year-old volcanic cinder cones in Idaho? Sure. I have traveled the country a lot over the past 20 years as a storyteller working with communities all over, seeking out the nooks and crannies of unusual places, including many natural wonders.

Why had I not done any of that in my home state? Rediscovering Alabama as a Southeast contributor for Only In Your State the past year has helped me reacquaint my place of origin after leaving it for two decades after college to pursue my career. That took me to Nashville, Tennessee, and much further than I'd imagined across the U.S. and Canada.

As I made the trip to Wonderland Under Warrior, I had a lot on my mind. I has miraculously gotten an interview for a dream job in one of my favorite places (yep, Idaho) while also finally seeing some light with my efforts pursuing my freelancing dream these past two years. My mind was still spinning about some of the associated challenges of both.

What a time to descend into an Alabama Christmas cave.

Thankfully, I was greeted on arrival by lights guiding the way into the park, obvious signs of lighted paths and displays in the forest toward the caverns, and a cheerful clerk at the gift shop, where you buy tickets. From there, I went to the next building, a Santa's workshop of sorts, where I was greeted by one of his elf helpers and the jolly man himself.

All very pleasant having taken the exit off Interstate 65 and driving several miles into the country for this adventure. The displays from there along the path to the cavern entrance building are worth taking time to see, too.

After descending a few steps and navigating a passage of boldly lit, rock-walled corridors, I entered the main cavern of rock by every definition. Hard-rock versions of Christmas anthems filled the air along with a dramatic laser show as the main cavern opened before me. Now that's an entrance.

The rest of the journey felt more reserved by comparison. The suspense built as I navigated passageways and discovered scene after delightful scene.

My favorite was the glacier section. Seeing a glowing, iridescent, and prismatic deer and trees after turning a dark corner reminded me of watching the 1997 Studio Ghibli animated film Princess Mononoke.

More deeply, it reminded me of a bronze deer statue at Sun Valley Inn in Idaho, because it was the first picture I took there the morning my father passed away here in Alabama. I admit I got a little teary, then reminded myself not to be that person reported for walking through a cave crying. A former sheriff's captain, my late dad would agree with that logic.

Next up, there were more memories of Idaho when I came to this dazzling waterfall of lights descending into the depths of the caverns. After the many waterfalls I have visited and documented in other states, it was only this year that I explored the existence of the many waterfalls of Alabama.

When I turned around, I saw a brightly lit, Christmas cardinal display tucked in a crevice. My mom's favorite bird. Thankfully, she's still alive and well here in Alabama.

There are no cardinals in Idaho, I thought to myself. Now, there are those cool crossbills endemic to the South Hills, and they're red-ish. Extremely rare, yes. Still not cardinals.

And not long after processing all of that amid the twinkling lights and mysterious cavern splendor, I found my way to the green meanie, The Grinch. He greeted me more cheerfully than one might expect. We waved to one another before I made my way back up and out of the caverns of this place and some of the places my mind took me.

As I exited, a greeter by the entrance asked how I liked it. I was smiling ear to ear.

"That was SO cool. Thank y'all so much. I am so glad I finally did this. You have no idea how much I needed this tonight," I said.

It may have sounded a little nutty or TMI, but no doubt people have felt the same way about it for different reasons.

On my way home to North Alabama, I also checked out Cullman's Christkindlmarkt, which is as deserving as all the press it's gotten the past four years. While I also wrote about it this week, my time at Wonderland Under Warrior left me forever changed, even if only for the duration of a big decision's impact, whatever that eventually means.

The next day, I withdrew my application with Idaho and instead accepted another new, big commitment here. The visit to Wonderland Under Warrior reminded me there is a lot more for me to discover still here in my home state of Alabama.

Have you had an unexpected experience like this? Or maybe just had a fun time exploring the joy that is Wonderland Under Warrior without so much on your mind? We would love to hear about it, either way.