Swans of NICC Traditional Geocache
Andy'n'Linda: Since we're no longer active geocachers, it's time to archive this geocache. If anyone would like to take over this geocache, please contact us. Thanks.
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
In the fall of 2004, the Calmar Campus of Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) became home to “Amelia and Louis”, a nesting pair of trumpeter swans. This cache is your invitation to come and visit these spectacular birds.
Trumpeter swans are the largest of all the North American water birds. They stand 4' tall, have a wingspan of 7-8', and weigh 25-30 lbs. They're so big that most predators are afraid of trumpeter swans. But you need not fear Amelia and Louis since they cannot fly (both were injured earlier in their lives) and they remain safely inside a fence which encircles their pond.
To reach the cache, enter the NICC campus from Highway 150 and turn left onto the campus drive. Immediately turn left again at the "Agriculture Technology" sign and park on the south side of the Ag Tech building. Walk around the fenced-in equipment area to the red gates at the trailhead (N 43° 10.256, W 091° 51.973). The "trail" is the area between two, non-electric fences where you will be safe from curious cows.
All the areas you'll visit belong to NICC, meaning they're public property where you're free to hike around. All we ask is that you do not go inside the black fencing that surrounds Amelia and Louis' pond. If you visit in May, the most sensitive nesting time for trumpeter swans, try to be as quiet and unobtrusive as possible.
The cache is a 3” diameter camo-covered cylinder. Please replace it in a “bottom down” orientation to eliminate water leakage. And if you have the time and interest, take a few minutes to visit our state-of-the-art dairy facility, 1/2 mile south of the cache.
Additional Hints
(No hints available.)