August 2006
Update
The world turns, things change
(yet oddly enough, geocachers never cease to delight in seeking
tupperware wherever it might lie.) Originally this simple
puzzle cache was designed as a 2-stage multi but alas, after nearly
2 years and 50 finds, it seems the delightful fountain featured at
the 1st wpt has lost many of its whimsical knicknacks.
Indeed, at last scout - oh dear, why even the "Clam Cowboy" himself
has disappeared (no doubt slowly lumbering off into the sunset - to
the waning tune of "Home, home on the range..."
Ah but... rather than
archive this honey, I've opted to do away with all the pesky
counting of frog toes, submarine propellers, reindeer antler
points, weasels 'n ravens (not to mention those elusive fish tails
underfoot!) - in favor of eliminating the fountain wpt altogether,
and simply revising the recipe puzzle to send you directly to the
final cache (I've also reduced the cache difficulty a goodly
bunch.)
Likewise things have changed
a tad at the hide as well. So I've opted to replace the
original full-size Lock 'n Lock with a small waterproof matches
container (capable of stashing but a log book and few wee trinkets
- so do BYOP.) As ever, please do be alert for muggles whence
grabbing, logging and returning the cache to its hidey.
The
Clam:
Geoduck is pronounced “goo-ee-duck” -
the largest burrowing clam in the World. They can be
found - more than 100 million strong - along Puget Sound
shores at minus tides, burrowed more than 3 ft. deep.
Weighing up to 7 lbs. each, these suckers have “necks” more
than a meter long! I should know, I've tipped head over
heels in the muddy sand in hot pursuit of these puppies along
the beach at Quartermaster Harbor when I lived on "The Rock"
(Vashon Island.) No contest, the meat of the geoduck
makes the bar-none BEST chowder on the Planet!
The
Clam Cowboy:
As mentioned above, the
original inspiration for this, my first ever cache hide (nearly 800
finds and 18 hides ago) was a potpourri of fanciful fountain
characters featuring frogs with umbrellas bouncing up and down,
whilst weasel driven submarines twirled, and a gaggle of SADDLED
characters (yup, including a most handsomely plump geoduck clam)
circled round 'n round on a merry-go-round. In any case,
suffice it reminded me fondly of my days of geoduck hunting and
cooking up a simmering batch of succulent clam chowder. And
thus, I offer you...
|
Geoduck Clam
Chowder |
10 oz. fresh clam meat,
preferably geoduck, cut into 1 inch pieces
3 strips bacon
1 medium onion, diced
4 cups clam juice
16 oz. heavy cream
1 lg. carrot, peeled and diced
|
1 celery stalk, diced
2 large red or white potatoes, peeled and diced
4 teaspoons minced parsley
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
Juice of 1/2 lemon
3 drops Tabasco |
| Grind clam meat in a meat grinder
through large holes or food processor until roughly chopped
and reserve. Cook bacon in large stockpot over low heat
until just crisp; remove, drain on paper towels, crumble and
set aside. Add onions to bacon drippings and cook until
soft, about 5 minutes. Add clams and cook an additional 3
minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid browning.
Add clam
juice, turn heat to high, and bring to a boil. Add cream, return to
a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Add carrot, celery, and potato.
Cook over medium-low heat, uncovered, until vegetables are tender,
about 10 minutes. Stir in remaining ingredients, taste and
adjust seasonings. Add crumbled bacon and serve
immediately.
This recipe
yields 6 servings. |
N 47º 3A.BCD
W 122º 1E.FGH
cream minus (clam juice plus carrot plus onion plus celery) =
A
multiply clams by lemon = B
(multiply parsley by cream) minus celery = CD
(multiply lemon by servings) plus bacon = E
Tobasco plus clam juice = F
(divide parsley by pepper) plus (multiply potatoes by lemon) =
GH
Bon
Appetit! |