Got skunked on this cache. Why am I logging it with a yellow smiley face if I got skunked you ask? It's a long sad and sorted tale, so grab some popcorn and settle in.First off, let me say this was an educational cache. I learned a few important lessons.
I was on my way to the airport in Boise to begin a 3 week business trip, and thought I'd bag a few caches along the way. Since I was flying, I wore sandals to make getting through airport security a breeze.
I parked nearby and headed towards the cache. As usual, I ended up on the wrong side of the obstacle. No worries, I'll just climb down and through the broken lava in my sandals.
Lesson 1) Sandals are made for beaches...not for hiking and climbing in lava.
As I was searching the Schism, I came upon a rattlesnake. I wasn't rattled, and calmly eased out of range. (Rattlebugs don't scare me none). I realized the cache was elsewhere and climbed out of that hole. Found the cache (nice hide btw) and logged in. Hiked it back to the van when I saw a critter dash around to the drivers side. Again, I ain't scared.
Walked around the front and came face to butt with a skunk. I backpeddled so fast I lost a sandal.
Lesson 2) sandals are for beaches, not for running from skunks.
The skunk was undeterred, turned to face me and snarled.
Lesson 3) Skunks can actually snarl
As the wind was in my favor I stood off about 50 feet and waited for it to leave.
Lesson 4) Skunks are patient creatures
After about 15 minutes of considering what to do, I did the only thing that seemed reasonable. I waved my arms and screamed "GIT"
Lesson 5) "GIT" in Skunkese translates to "Please spray scent on my van door and stray sandal"
I stood in shock and thanked the wind gods that I was upwind. The skunk, satisfied in his deed then turned and strutted away.
I left the sandal where it lay and got into the passenger side door, climbed across the seat and drove away.
Lesson 6) skunk scent can penetrate steel car doors.
The drive to Boise was...putrid. I nearly lost my breakfast more than once. Once at the airport, I washed up as best I could, changed clothes and dumped my "stink infused" clothing into the bathroom garbage can and caught my flight. Although I barely noticed the remaining scent, a few of my fellow passengers were less than amused at my tale of woe.
So as you can see, getting skunked (not finding the cache) is better than getting SKUNKED after finding a cache.
