Christmas Fern Traditional Cache
Massquerade: I am regretfully archiving this cache since there's been no response from nor action by the cache owner within the time frame requested in the last reviewer note.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Park at the Keep Homestead located off Ely Road in Monson at N42 05.905 W72 19.359. While you're there, consider familiarizing yourself with the trail map which should help to eliminate bushwacking. The cache is located a very short distance from the Christmas Fern Trail.
This cache, as well as its sister cache, Keep Homestead, are located on approximately 75 acres of land that were willed to the Town of Monson by Myra Keep Moulton who died in 1988. About half of the land is open wetlands and the other half is woodland. The trails are open year round to hiking and in winter, to cross country skiing. Vehicles are not allowed on the trails and hunting is prohibited.
The grade of the trail system spans from easy to moderately strenuous. Take your time to stop and observe animal activity and to identify plants along the way. There is a variety of hardwood and coniferous trees and other woodland plants along the trail system. There are a variety of plants in bloom around the pond and meadows at various times of the year.
There were several granite quarries on the original Keep Homestead land. The Christmas Fern Trail will take you past remnants of the only granite quarry left on the present acreage.
The museum building is open 1-3pm on the first Sunday of each month from early April to December. Nature tours with a former National Park Service naturalist are also frequently available. Notices of openings and special events are published in local newspapers and on the museum's web site, www.keephomesteadmuseum.org.
If the museum is open at the time of your visit, be sure to stop in and check out one of the largest display of antique and vintage buttons on display in the Northeast.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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