Not quite so long ago, I was the first to find on a local cache.
Allegedly, the cache was cursed but I didn't think much of it at
the time. According to the listing, the first person to find the
cache had one month to hide another cache and continue the series.
No information was given about what would happen to the finder if
this didn't occur.
Soon after finding the cache, I began having bizarre dreams
about not being able to find caches, hides going missing and all
manner of caching mishaps. Eventually, the dreams stopped and once
again I thought nothing of it.
The month continued and so did my life. I had found little time
to get out and cache during the month and as time passed all
thought of the curse faded from my mind. Then the email came...
Slightly over a week before the month was to run out I received
an email from an anonymous sender. Basically, it said, "Hide the
cache, or else..." Not one to respond to threats, I shrugged it
off. Even so, I was curious about what may happen once the month
ran out. Unfortunately, I didn't have to wait quite that long.
The weekend before the month ran out I went caching with some
friends. During the entire trip my GPSr refused to work properly.
The compass malfunctioned, the signal was spotty and grossly
inaccurate and the unit seemed to keep suggesting I do more (and
painful) bushwhacking than necessary. I didn't consider this part
of the curse until I got back home to log the caches our group had
found (no thanks to my malfunctioning unit).
Sure enough there was another email. This one said, "More and
worse awaits for you if unfulfilled." Now I became concerned. I
spent a little time thinking before deciding to go ahead and hide
the next cache and hopefully rid myself of this curse. While I hate
the idea of passing this torment onto someone else, I think I have
an idea that will keep the curse contained. First, here's what I
know about the curse itself.
The RULES for this cache are simple but important, please
read and follow them. (For some reason these rules only apply to
Maryland cachers. If you are a cacher not from MD, then the wrath
will not affect you. Be thankful for that...)
- 1. The first one to find this cache must hide another "The
Wrath of the Stolen/Missing Huggables." You will be given one month
to hide it or else the wrath will take its toll on you.
- 2. You can be First To Find once for this series. This is to
give others a chance to get a First to Find. (Apparently, those
already fulfilling the requirements are also immune...)
- 3. The new cache must bear the same name, "The Wrath of the
Stolen/Missing Huggables," but subsequent number (in this case
#9).
- 4. If the First to Find cacher does not follow through with
their part by hiding a new cache within one month, then their log
will be deleted.
Basically, my idea involves placing a cache sufficiently
difficult that no one would be willing to look, thus freeing me of
the curse and preventing anyone else from having to endure the
wrath. Thus, I picked a park with plenty of space, camouflaged the
cache well, and added a puzzle just to be safe.
The cache itself is a sandwich sized Lock n' Lock container.
It's painted to match its surroundings but not the spot where it's
hidden. There is a moderate hike from the parking area to the cache
site but shouldn't be too difficult aside from a few elevation
changes. Little to no bushwhacking should be required depending on
the chosen path.
The cache is located in Quiet Waters Park. Admission is $5 per
vehicle but walkers and bicycles can enter for free. There are
several other caches in the park as well (some of them quite
difficult) and depending on one's approach could make for a
wonderful afternoon (or morning) of caching. A full list of things
to do at the park can be found on its website
here. The park is open from 7:00AM to dusk and is closed
on Tuesdays. Check the additional waypoints for the closest
parking.
As for the puzzle, I decided to go with an idea I've been
eagerly waiting to try for a very long time but the right
circumstances didn't occur to use its coordinates until now.
Whether or not you know it, the puzzle (including its deviously
simple solution) has been in front of your seeking eyes at the
moment you started reading this listing. The most observant will
have it from the top, but don't worry if it doesn't jump out
immediately. After all, the idea was to exile the curse
forever...or at least as long as possible. No additional hints, or
geochecker will be available until some unwitting seeker finds it
necessary to disturb the curse from its rest.
Update: Since Fireguy15 has decided to be FTF the curse
has moved on but the cache remains. Any still trying to find it can
check their answers
here.
This cache is Anne Arundel Co. Parks and Rec. approved.