Located in Hovander Park. Come enjoy the peacocks, piglets, geese, gardens, antique machinery and houses, trails, picnic/play areas and other geocaches at Hovander and Tennant Lake. Park hours are 8:00 am until one hour before dark.
Our cache is located near events that unfolded in the Spring of 1963. From the May 19, 1963 Bellingham Herald:
TEENAGER FOUND SAFE
A Custer teenager who had been reported missing late Friday was found Saturday in Ferndale. Search & Rescue personnel extricated Rory Klander from a device tethered in the center of the Nooksack River near the Hovander farm. A local resident came upon the scene early Saturday morning and called the authorities after hearing a voice screaming for help. Rory, found unharmed but soaking wet and suffering from mild hypothermia, says he was put inside the rotating contraption by a group of acquaintances from Ferndale High School.
In a surprise turn, charges will not be brought against the perpetrators. "Rory deserved what these boys did to him," insisted Chuck Klander, Rory's father, who the same day had received an anonymous letter documenting his son's bullying, including over ten instances of Rory giving "swirlies" to various students at Ferndale High. After being pulled out of the cylinder, Rory admitted to his habit of dunking students in the high school toilets.
The device, dubbed the "Mother of All Swirlies", has been modified for ecological use and still has rotational capability. It can be seen in the Nooksack River about fifty yards west of the cache. School field trips to the park often include a stop here with an appropriate lecture on bullying and its prevention. The device is sometimes removed for maintenance in the Winter months.
For Swirly Revenge, you don't need to crawl or climb. You do need time, and trading swag. The few muggles you'll encounter may be dog walkers or folks fishing the Nooksack River. Replace cache as you found it. Take your time and enjoy the process.