Farmdale, IL.  Originally, this cache was "My Favorite DNF".  I tried it on my own, couldn't put all the pieces together, but I had all kinds of fun getting a DNF!  On 11/18/06, I returned to finish it off with the help of another cacher.  This is definitely my all-time favorite cache.  There are parts I'd like to talk about but I can't spoil it for the next seeker.  Many unknowns await along the lengthy & arduous hikes (especially if you beeline from point to point), but your efforts will be rewarded by the scenic areas and overall fun you'll have -- whether you find it or not!  Some say a true 5/5 cache requires special equipment of sorts; even though this cache doesn't require it, you'll probably agree it is worth each & every terrain/difficulty star.  You'll put in as much effort to find this as it took the owner and maintainer did in creating and placing it!  They deserve heaps of credit.

  All-Time Favorite: The Journal

The Journal

Saw Wee Kee Park -- Oswego, IL.  This former quarry and modern mountain biking-hiking trail mix is a very cool area.  Seeking the cache only adds to the enjoyment of the landscape.  Bushwhacking is an absolute must and it is anything but easy (even in the winter).  The cache is appropriately named, which you'll figure out at stage one and while enroute to the final.  Fun stuff no matter where you come from.

A Lesson on Inflation

Lincolnshire, IL (and other towns).  The link will take you to the Bonus cache, but this bookmark is about the whole series.  It's a great combination of history, sleuthing, and - of course - geocaching.  If you do this series and the bonus straight through (well, as long as you have the skills and tools at-hand to figure out the bonus cache location), you should be able to complete the whole series within a half of a day.  Very well-done!

Aux Plaines Crossing

Aux Plaines Crossing - Bonus

This cache is one of many in a themed-series along the Illinois & Michigan Canal, basically paralleling the I-80 corridor.  You will visit historic towns & sites, many of which were created via canal commerce.  Start at the eastern-most cache (GCNRMD) or western-most cache (GCNXMW) and complete the whole series in a day; you're in for some great scenery while more so staying off the main roads.  Take a day to nab the series and enjoy the reasons behind RetiredDNR's placing of these caches.

Note: Cacher 'Doughball' has added a few caches honoring the canal's history as well; they'll also worth your while as they complement RetiredDNR's series of caches.

Canal Heritage

Aurora, Illinois.  You go to GZ and then seek the cache.  How hard could it be?  Well, once you're there, you'll understand.  Definitely a challenge.

Falcor and the Bonobos

Indiana Dunes State Park.  You're gonna work for this smiley; this EC takes you to the summit of the 3 highest dunes in the area.  They may not be real mountains compared to other parts of the country, but they are high and they are steep.  I enjoyed this one because of the terrain/hiking, the views, and the lesson itself.  Very nicely set-up.

Favorite Earth Cache: Tremont!

Tremont!

This is the best Multi I've done to date (and one of the first I ever completed).  Even though I didn't do this multi all in one day, I thought one could get the most enjoyment by hiking the whole thing.  The terrain and scenery is varied, and the math is pretty simple stuff.  It is a well-planned series, courtesy of Lone Ranger.  I'm not sure why the Lone Ranger did it, but he archived all the clue stages.  Soon enough the remaining Final Rep will also be archived.

Favorite Multi: Pumping Iron

Pumping Iron #7 - The Final Rep

Lemont, Illinois.  How much can I say about this... This is another unique & novel idea for a puzzle.  Even after mutiple clue-gathering visits to the area, I still couldn't figure out how to tie things together.  Even after a nudge by Thyros, I realized everything was right there in front of me, but still had some trouble figuring things out.  Finally it just hit me.  Hopefully you'll have better luck and make quicker work of this puzzle than I did.  Either way, it is well worth your time and efforts.

Favorite Puzzle: Lemont Confidential

Lemont Confidential

Schaar's Bluff, Spring Lake Park Reserve in Dakota County, MN.  With the words 'bluff' and 'flying leap' in the title and description, you can guess what kind of terrain it'll be.  This cache is definitely worth the ratings - so don't let the easy hike in to GZ fool you.  But GZ is a good place to hang out :-).

Flying Leap (of Faith)

Waterfall Glenn -- Forest Preserve of DuPage County, Illinois.  "EagleSon" is definitely familiar with the area: he's done a great job with this one and I can't imagine how much work he put into laying out this multi.  You'll take long, pleasant hikes while you eagerly anticipate arriving at each clue point.  All told, it surely ain't where you think!  EagleSon has a variety of caches in the area which are all worthy of your time & efforts.

Oustanding Multi: A Walk in The Glenn

A walk in the Glen or it's not where you think.

St. Croix Bluffs Regional Park, Washington County Minnesota.  This consists of a beautiful area and a challenging hike no matter what direction you come from.  The efforts to get to and find this cache are well-rewarded.

Rock of Grace

Hoover Forest Preserve -- Kendall County, Illinois.  I tackled this one with a group, and highly doubt I would have ever found one clue in particular without their help.  This well-laid-out series of caches will definitely challenge you.  Naturally you'll have a lot of fun, too.  By the way, Corp of Discovery and I took the 'fun' way to the final.  You'll see.

Scout Master

Camp Sagawau -- Forest Preserve of Cook County, Illinois.  I always knew about this canyon but never visited before the earthcache was 'placed' there.  It isn't something you'd expect to see in Cook County.  The tour is fairly short but the guides are extremely knowledgeable.  You'll be pretty amazed at this site.  Must-see!

The Only Dolomite Limestone Canyon in Cook County

Baghdad, Iraq.  This now-archived cache WAS the best mystery cache that you'd probably never get to find -- because you had to go to Iraq to complete it!  This is also one of the most novel-idea caches I've seen: it requires you to match the military uniform pattern icons to the appropriate country of origin - and the people wearing these uniforms may or may not be in the area to 'help' you.  If they're not around, you'd have to try to match the patterns by memory (provided you've seen them before)... or hope that you find someone nearby that is wearing the uniform... or you'll just have to complete it over time.  Provided you get the answers correct, you then do a bit of math to figure out the cache's location.  A great mystery cache!  Sorry to see it's gone.

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