Esek Hopkins Goes Sledding Multi-cache
Esek Hopkins Goes Sledding
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Fairly easy multi, snow friendly(Stage II not in very deep snow). May be some thorns in places, but you shouldn't need to go through any to get to cache areas. Area gets crowded with sledders when conditions are right. There is a playground and ballfield across the street. There is a small parking lot and lots of roadside parking on Battey Meeting House road. This would be an excellent first multi for a new cacher!
Esek Hopkins was born in Scituate, Rhode Island. Before the Revolutionary War he had sailed to nearly every quarter of the earth, commanded a privateer in the French and Indian War, and served as a deputy to the Rhode Island General Assembly. He was appointed a brigadier general to command all military forces of Rhode Island on October 4, 1775. On December 22, 1775, Hopkins was appointed Commander in Chief of the Continental Navy authorized by the Continental Congress to protect American commerce.
What is not commonly taught about Esek Hopkins is that he greatly enjoyed racing down hills in his chrome and red, steering- and jet-pack-equipped sled. His legacy was to encourage local citizens to share his passion. Only the sledders' attire has changed, although there are some who, in tribute to Esek, still wear late 1700s-era military dress while sledding. Esek Hopkins served the Rhode Island General Assembly through 1786, though he took many sledding breaks while in session.
If you grew up around here like I did, you probably spent lots of time enjoying this sledding hill. There were 3 main choices: the 'better' but more tree ridden route that might send you onto the frozen pond, the conventional bare hill that made you feel as if you might go across the road and into the State Police barracks, or the 'baby hill' on the east side of the road. For the record, I did end up on the ice several times, and hit a few trees and a picnic table(what was that doing there?). I think those incidents were what earned me a sled with steering. Esek Hopkins endorsed the first choice, not minding the water. My 4-H group used to light up the stone grills and toast marshmallows, and a fun early date with my husband was bringing a pizza here for a picnic. Don't panic if you hear a whooshing sound or a faint voice crying 'wheeee!'-it's just the ghost of Esek Hopkins going for one more run down the hill. Some have even spied a ghostly sled flying down on its own.
Mega bonus points(may be imaginary, but still)if you post a photo of you sledding here. Many extra bonus points if it is summer OR if you are over 30 years old like we are!
You'll also find Scituate Historical Cemetery #30 here. The road named for Esek Hopkins is a bit further south, if you're curious.
First to find gets Subway gift card, cache also stocked with gorilla keychain, Give Blood wristband, and blingy rapper necklace. Coordinates taken with a Magellan GPSr. First stage is a wooden marker; final is a larger Lock & Lock. Please rehide well to prevent muggling. This is our first cache placed!
*Please note: A few of the facts mentioned here may not be completely truthful, so please use caution before using this information on any final exams.*
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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