Westwold - "Oh Christmas Tree!" Traditional Geocache

This cache has been archived.

Wizard of Ooze: As the cache owner has not indicated that they have visited the cache location to replace it if missing, perform needed maintenance, or verify that it is still there within the requested time period, I am regretfully archiving the cache to clear it from the active cache database and open the area to new caching opportunities.

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Wizard of Ooze
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Hidden : 10/2/2005
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Hope yule like this duo cache (Christmas theme & regular) hidden in Pearse Park, situated on Highway 97 in Westwold, between Vernon & Kamloops, B.C. Although not on a well beaten trail you won’t have to bushwack to find it!

With the tree cover we weren’t getting good accuracy so we’re not sure how close the coordinates are. Oh well, Santa can find everyone’s Christmas tree to put presents under! Right? The christmas cache is hidden in a tin within a rectangular plastic container which is in a green cloth bag. Regular trading items will be in the plastic container, which holds the christmas tin. If you take from the Christmas tin, please replace with a Christmas theme item. Please ensure that the cache is replaced as found.

In 1974 Margaret Pearse donated the land for Pearse Park for the recreation and enjoyment of the community of Westwold. There are a few picnic tables near the highway in this mini-forest of mostly pines. The park seems to be a little neglected, so the trails are not well maintained. However, it’s a nice place to stretch your legs and take your dog for a walk. Remember our motto "Cache In and Trash Out!"

I decided to do a Christmas theme cache here because this small farming community of Westwold, having only a few business establishments, has a large Christmas store open all year long! You'll have to check it out if you have time as the indoor light displays are great! There’s also the General Store & Café, the Route 97 Diner & Bakery, and an antique emporium store -- and that's about it in Westwold, other than the old church and the school. You can't get lost here, but it's a great place to stop, shop and have a bite to eat!

When I purchased the FTF & 2TF prizes in the Country Christmas Store not far from the cache location, I explained to the proprietor what I was doing, and he gave me a short written history of his community.

This is my shortened version of it’s history: Westwold, actually an extinct volcano, carried the name “Grand Prairie” from the early 1800’s until 1928 when the name was changed. A postmaster had neglected to register the name, and as “Grand Prairie” was used in Alberta after 1881, a new name was chosen. The earliest known map naming Grand Prairie is dated 1832. A cabin was built in 1819 by the North West Company and was used as they passed through the valley. The first land pre-empted was in 1864 by John Grieve, Roger Moore and Edward Grove, and “Grand Prairie” was then officially established. Their land was transferred to Henry Ingram later that year when Henry also acquired land. Ingram was part of a syndicate that put camels on the Gold Trail as pack animals. For several reasons the camels did not work out and several were brought to Ingram’s farm where the camels were sheared for mattress and pillow stuffing. The community of Westwold was once a very busy and important stopping place that did have a hotel until 1942. However, it’s importance to outlying communities ceased to exist once the automobile became popular, and now few people stop there. Let's try to change that!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Pyhr 1: Fbzr crbcyr jvyy pubbfr n cvar, fbzr jvyy pubbfr n sve, n prqne, be n fcehpr sbe gurve Puevfgznf Gerr. Jung guhwn pubbfr? Lbhe cerfrag jvyy or haqre n Puevfgznf Gerr naq gur lhyr ybt jba’g or ba n sver.

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)


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