GCY6T4 Fall Into Geocaching: Spring Mill State Park (Traditional Cache) in Indiana, United States created by IDNR State Parks and Reservoirs

This cache has been archived.

Pokagon Nature Center: Thanks everyone. Happy caching in the Indiana State Parks in 2007.

GCY6T4 ▼

A cache by IDNR State Parks and Reservoirs Message this owner

Hidden : 9/8/2006

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Fall Into Geocaching: Spring Mill State Park:
"Birds of a Feather!"

This cache was created by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks and Reservoirs to promote geocaching in the Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs this fall. It is part of a larger contest. Each cache in this series (search "fall into geocaching") has a special word(s) in bold on the top of the log sheet. There are a total of 22 different caches located in 22 different state parks, recreation areas, or reservoirs. Though not needed to log the cache, the first teams to successfully find (and log online) 10 of these caches and email to the profile above the 10 words (with their corresponding park) will win. All other teams completing it will also go into a drawing for other prizes. The contest period goes from Labor Day until Dec 31, 2006.

Participants can look for caches anytime during the contest period; however, the first geocacher who finds ten of the 22 caches, reports to the contest coordinator and is verified as a winner will be awarded a $100 gift certificate to Indiana State Park inns. Only one gift certificate will be awarded. All other prizes (annual passes, campnights, daily entrance admissions) will be awarded at the end of the contest in a drawing for participants who have located at least 10 of the 22 caches. One hundred free “Fall into Geocaching” t-shirts will be also be awarded in a drawing for anyone who participates and reports finding at least one cache. The usual State Park admission is required ($1.00 bicycle, $4.00 in-state weekday, $5.00 weekend, or $7.00 out of state vehicles).

Whether you visit our great State Parks and Reservoirs for a day or an entire weekend, we hope you get out and see all that Indiana has to offer. Be sure to also check out some of the geocaching events going on at various State Parks this fall! Good Luck!!!

You can find other "Fall Into Geocaching" caches at:
· Brookville Lake: GCY8VY
· Brown County State Park: GCY5NA
· Fort Harrison State Park: GCY1VM
· Indiana Dunes State Park: GCXYQ7
· J. Edward Roush Reservoir: GCY5XR
· Mansfield Mill: GCY5FP
· McCormick’s Creek State Park: GCY29G
· Mississinewa Reservoir: GCY31P
· Mounds State Park: GCY8VD
· Ouabache State Park: GCY24C
· Pokagon State Park: GCXWHP
· Potato Creek State Park: GCXZYK
· Prophetstown State Park: GCY5WR
· Raccoon Lake State Recreation Area: GCY5F0
· Salamonie Reservoir: GCY5DP
· Shades State Park: GCY16E
· Shakamak State Park: GCY22T
· Spring Mill State Park: GCY6T4
· Summit Lake State Park: GCXYR2
· Tippecanoe River State Park: GCY2TZ
· Turkey Run State Park: GCY13M
· Whitewater Memorial State Park: GCY8W1

Welcome to Spring Mill State Park! Spring Mill State Park offers the visitor many historic and natural wonders. The Pioneer Village, with its massive waterpowered grist mill, is a unique chance to step back in time. Various pioneer crafts and occupations are represented. The Hamer brothers took ownership of the village and mill in 1832. Spring Mill became the new name for the village. Repairs and reconstruction were initiated in the 1930’s by the Civilian Corservation Corps (CCC). Other projects of the CCC included Spring Mill Lake, various shelters, roads and trails.

This cache is located near a hand-hewn monument honoring Alexander Wilson, America's first ornithologist. Born in Scotland in 1766, Wilson came to America in 1794. With encouragement from the famous naturalist, William Bartram, Alexander Wilson combined a natural aptitude for drawing with his love of birds. The first volume of his "American Ornithology" was published in 1808. Shortly after sending the eight volume to the printer in 1813, Wilson died of dysentery (an illness he first encountered, and never fully recovered from, on one of his journeys to study birds). The ninth, and final, volume of Wilson's "American Ornithology" was published under the care of George Ord in 1814.

George Donaldson, also of Scotland, came to the area that is now Spring Mill State Park in 1865. Donaldson was an antiquarian, a collector of curiosities, and an admirer and friend of scientific contemporaries, including the African explorer, David Livingston. A person who purchased land solely to preserve its natural beauty, George Donaldson also had great respect for earlier scientists and naturalists who studied the natural world. Donaldson hand-carved a piece of limestone with a likeness of Alexander Wilson and erected it near Shawnee Cave (now known as Donaldson Cave) to honor Wilson and his landmark work on the birds of America.

Don't waste time getting this cache, and all the other "Fall Into Geocaching" caches in the Indiana State Parks this fall! Remember, the early bird gets the worm! Enjoy!

The "Fall Into Geocaching" series meets all guidelines set forth in the IDNR Geocaching Policy. If you are interested in placing a geocache in an Indiana State Park or Reservoir, please review our policy at: Link

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ynetr Flpnzber Gerr!

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)