Sandy Creek Cowboy Cache No. 9 Traditional Geocache
SD Rowdies: Somebody swiped our prop.
Sandy Creek Cowboy Cache No. 9
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(micro)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
This cowboy cache is located at yet-another historic site of the old Buckman Springs community. It is significant even today in that it provides a sobering example of a serious problem that faces San Diego County. The problem of unsupportable growth affected the Buckman Springs community just as it affects our county today. Just watch your footing around the old foundations and don't get poked by the many Yucca Plants.
Take a good look at the old Buckman Hotel and Lithia Water Bottling Plant. What do y’ see? Yep, stone and concrete. Think about it, there were no concrete delivery trucks and not much of a road to drive one over even if you had one. So where in blazes did Amos Buckman and his kin get the makings for concrete and rock buildings?
Yes, of course they did, right from where they settled. In fact being able to lay hands on building materials had a lot to do with where one settled in the olden days. Cottonwood Creek runs right through Buckman Springs. Not only did the creek supply bottling-plant mineral water it also supplied sand, gravel, and stone that was used to build the many structures of Buckman Springs.
Knowing that sand and gravel were important to the Buckman clan we figured that you might want to see an example of how they met their needs. Using picks, shovels, mules, wagons and strong backs they mined sand and crushed rock that was gathered from Cottonwood Creek and from the surrounding hills. At Buckman Springs a pick or shovel was a prized possession.
What remains to be seen from the old operation are concrete foundations that supported a transfer point, a loading hopper, and a small stamp mill. Loads were brought up from the creek and down from the hills to be processed and stockpiled for later use. Listen carefully for the faded echoes of “Gee” and “Haw” as mule skinners coaxed their mule-drawn wagons into position for loading and unloading of materials.
Of course the old timers always held out hope of a gold strike so you will notice white quartz scattered all about the hillside. If you want to pick up a few excellent examples of collectable quartz then do so at N32 46.738 W116 29.662.
Take time to view the old hotel, the bottling plant, the foundation of the old café and gas station, and the holding tank (swimming hole) that were constructed from locally mined and processed material. Pay particular attention to the quality and finish of the concrete and stone.
The surprising fact is that San Diego County is almost completely out of construction-grade sand. While at Buckman Springs you may see one or more of the many tandem sand trucks that ply Interstate 8 and Buckman Springs Road to bring loads of sand up from Imperial Valley, or from Campo where it is stockpiled after being transported from the valley along the restored rail route through Carrizzo Gorge.
Yes indeed, we have the very same problem that plagued Amos Buckman during the late 1800s and early 1900s. History repeats itself.
Y'all have fun,
The Sandy Creek Cowboys
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
B cyrnfr.