The Gables Multi-cache
Buttdraggin'Trails: It is with regret that we close this cache. Obviously it has gone MIA, which is not surprising as the hollow log it was hidden in when last looked at was crumbling away at a fast pace. There is also pretty bad soil erosion also on the lake side. There are way too many Muggles in that area in summer now to safely hide it somewhere else, and as most downed trees in the vicinity are pretty much in the same state as the original log - it would not be long before it would go missing again if replaced. Add to all this the fact that the owners have all moved too far away to keep this cache properly serviced (not to mention our advanced ages scrambling around in mozzie infested undergrowth not now high on our list of enjoyable things to do!)
This was always a weird one from the get go, with many people not thinking outside the box to solve it, but it was fun while it lasted. Time to put it to sleep folks. :'(
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(other)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
A
two-part cache located in one of the newest of the City
of
Barrie's great parks - The Gables
The old Gables property, once owned by a
member of the local gentry is the location for our 7th cache. This
landowner built a large house on it in the early 1900's, which was
a fresh-air camp for underprivileged children from Toronto between
the early 1920's and 1962 when it was bequeathed to the RVH. Most
of it is natural forest. No buildings now exist, but the outline of
the old sweeping driveway leading to the house can still be seen
near the large clearing which overlooks the Kempenfelt Bay. It had
one of the best views money can buy. When this land was bequeathed
to Barrie's Hospital Board, it was on the proviso it be used as a
possible site for a future hospital. The location was wonderful,
but not a demographically feasible one for a town that the size of
Barrie was becoming. A stipulation was that it was not to be sold
until such time as an alternative site might be found and a new
hospital built. During the developmental years of the new RVH on
Georgian Drive, the Gables property was used as a recreational
facility for nursing staff and their families. Several years ago,
the City of Barrie purchased it for well over $3 million.
It is to remain a passive park rather than an active park, which is
wonderful news for geo-cachers, meaning there will be no hoards of
citizens tramping those trails. It comprises 32 acres, with the
lakefront on the northernmost edge of the property. There is a
parking area near the entrance gate to the Gables, which is located
on the Tollendale Road at N 44 22.238 W079 39.437.
Follow the trails in for the first stage, that holds co-ordinates
for the final one. The main cache container is a round Rubbermaid
type, measuring 7" across by 4" deep with obligatory goodies.
Please sign our log and hide the box exactly as you found
it. This is the 2nd box to be placed in this area, as the first
was plundered and went MIA. The 2nd stage co-ordinates have changed
three times since...... and is now 25 meters from the very original
placement due to bad soil erosion along the lake bank. It just
wasn't worth keep hiding a cache in that area. It was getting worse
and worse and is easily seen. This third replacement was on Oct
4/07. The Gables get a few Muggles enjoying the trails.
Enjoy them yourself!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
1fg fgntr. Fz. Ghccrejner - juvgr yvq. Qrnq Fghss.....
2aq fgntr. Srj lneqf Rnfg bs rebqvat ynxrsebag genvy....va gur jbbqf.