The
woodchuck, which inhabits most of North America, in the South is
more familiarly known as a groundhog. This name is well taken
because of the vast subterranean burrows that it digs and lives in.
Each burrow consists of several rooms with sleeping area located at
the highest elevation and small chambers below serving for
hibernation or toilet facilities. The toilet rooms are cleaned
regularly and the wastes taken to the surface and buried. Deserted
groundlog dens are used by foxes, raccoons, opossums and other
mammals for living quarters as well as quick sanctuary from
enemies.
The groundhog is a
renowned weather prophet. A common legend contends that, if he
leaves his burrow on February 2 and sees his shadow, six weeks of
bad weather will follow. On the other hand, if the day is cloudy
and no shadow is cast, spring will soon appear.
The woodchuck has a
coat of silver gray and brown with under parts of a lighter hue.
The head is dark brown and the feet are so brown as to be nearly
black. His chunky body is carried on squat, sturdy legs. The animal
has small economic value because of the low quality of its
furs.
In agricultural
areas or family gardens, the animal will destroy great quantities
of forage and vegetables, and its burrows are dangerous to both
horses and cattle. There is a definite need for control of the
woodchuck in such places.
This is
a two part multi-cache. For Part 1 you will have to go to a
location and gather some information. Once you have the math
completed then it is off to Part 2 to find the cache. Available
parking at both parts should not be a problem. Just make sure it is
designated as a legal place to park.
Parking 
to start Part 1 is across the
road and east of the main gate located on Hancock Road of the
National Guard base located at Jefferson Barracks Park
(hours are sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset).
Map of JB Park.
The coordinates
above should take you to a manmade structure that is round, on the
south side of the road and approximately three to three 1/2
feet tall. At the base of this structure on the east side is a
date carved into one of the stones that is in the ground.
The middle two numbers of this date is A and B. Example:
1968, A is 9, B is 6.
Still standing at
this structure and looking towards the main gate what is the
four digit number on the large sign to the right? C will be
the last numeral . Example: 1968, C would be 8.
Now go towards the
large manmade object to your left. Looking through the fence at the
plaque what is the number of the day this was dedicated?
That number is D . Example: 21 May 1968, D is 21.
What is the
number of the Fighter Wing that maintains this structure?
The first two numbers are E and F. Example 941, E is 9
and F is 4.
| N |
3 |
8 |
3 |
0 |
A |
B |
C |
| N |
3 |
8 |
3 |
0 |
_ |
_ |
_ |
|
W |
9 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
D |
E |
F |
| W |
9 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
_ |
_ |
_ |
You now have the
final coordinates. Look at the distance and decide if you are going
to drive or walk. If you decide to drive you should find legal
parking within 250 of the final but the trail is not wheel chair
accessible.
This is a well worn path from all of the deer in
the area so be on the lookout so you don't get ran
over.
You are
looking for a 6X4.25X2.75 inch Lock and Lock container that is
loaded with goodies including a gift certificate for the FTF.
I also put in a travel bug to help get this
started.
I checked with the
park staff regarding this area and they said it is approved. They
just asked to not remove anything. As always please replace
everything back just as you found it.
It's somewhere in
there........
And the FTF honors
goes to: ibew ret
 Poison Plant
Alert |
 Thorns |
 Dogs
Allowed |
 Available year-round |
 Restricted
hours |
 Accessible in Winter |
 Less than 500 ft. from car to
cache |
 Off-trail Hiking
Required |
 Ticks |
 Restrooms
available |
Accessible in
Winter |
|
|
NOTICE: Please be respectful of the posted park hours. If you enter
the park after hours you are trespassing. If you are stopped you
can be ticketed or arrested and will put the future of geocaching
in the parks in
jeopardy. |
Special permission to hide caches in St.
Louis County parks is NOT needed as long as the Groundspeak rules
are followed. "Blanket Permission" has been worked out in advance
with the park service. DO NOT CALL THE PARK as they cannot handle
the calls. The Groundspeak cache reviewer does need to know exactly
how and where the caches are hidden and what type of containers are
used. The geocaching liaisons will notify the park service of new
caches. Remember NO AMMO BOXES or PVC PIPE
caches.
