This is a night cache with no zombies. It is however a cache with a frighteningly tragic love story that happened here not all that long ago and I wanted to share the story. Here is a song that fits this story well. Take time to listen and reflect https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvjTo-hRD5c.
It all starts at the parking area to the Cottonwood Hallow Natural Area where we first meet Michael who would park his car each night for a walk along the Poudre river trail. This is where our adventure will begin to follow this tale of love and disaster.
Please start at the spot and follow the markers of the path that Michael would take most days. It leads up and along to a nice area to relax view the ponds. This happens to be where Michael and Jenny's courtship began one evening while each was out walking along the Prospect Ponds part of the trail. They stopped at the same spot to watch the Pelicans and struck up a conversation. A courtship began and they would often meet here sit on the bench, hold hands and watch the sunset. They spent many hours in this park walking the trails and planning their future together.
After the sun set, they would look up towards the stars through the leaves of this tree and try to find the bright star that would illuminate their way to their favorite spot to play on a hot summer night. Can you see it? It will tell you where to go.
It is at this location that many a long evening was spent splashing in the water. They would wade across the river to the ancient tree that created an island where they would spend many hours playing in the water and dancing in the moonlight until they were greeted by the sunrise. One fateful night they stayed too long. On the way to take Jenny home, Michael fell asleep at the wheel. A car was stalled in the middle of the road and sadly, Michael and Jenny shared their last kiss that morning. The reflections of Jenny's eyes will lead you back along the trails.
Michael was imprisoned for Jenny's death in the accident. He would lay in his jail cell and dream of returning to the places that haunted his dreams and where he was sure Jenny was waiting for him. One night he escaped the nearby jail just so he could be close to his Jenny. He came to this spot so he could gaze at the spot where he would push Jenny on the swing and watch her laugh. Despite hearing the blaring sirens, he looked up and saw a sign that led him to where he hoped that he might find her, the place they would lay out a blanket and picnic in the sun.
He arrived there but did not find Jenny. He followed the reflections that made him think of Jenny’s sparkling eyes that led him deeper along the trails. In the end Michael found the double reflections that were the final spot. He searched the area looking for Jenny but all he found was container filled with goodies. Michael left a few trinkets here himself hoping that someday Jenny would find what he left and then he escaped into the woods here never to be seen again.
To this day when you are walking these trails in the dark you can hear the whispers of Jenny and Michael. Turn out your flashlight at times and listen I know you will hear it as well.
This cache is a mile walk along mostly the Poudre Trail with some single dirt trails. The final location is off trail and thus is why the terrain rating is higher. Please watch your step and be safe while enjoying this night cache.