Checking Out! Traditional Cache
isht kinta: Archived at request of sheriff and coroners offices
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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Micro cache at the intersection of the two waterways that have long been the backbone of commerce for Houma, La and Terrebonne Parish.
Houma, Louisiana, was established in 1809 on the bayou that would share it's name with the local seat of government. Bayou Terrebonne flows north and south between Thibodaux and the Gulf of Mexico. The community grew on both sides of the bayou.
"Terrebonne" is a name the Cajun French who settled the area gave their homeland. "Terre", meaning the land, and "Bonne", denoting good. Good Earth, or fertile land.
In 1949, the Intercoastal Canal was completed running mostly through the southern part of the community. This effectively disected the city and parish again into quarters with it's perpendicular intersection of the Bayou Terrebonne.
For many years, two bridges at the site of the of the intersection of these two waterways were the only practical way for motor vehicle traffic to cross between East Houma and West Houma, or between the Southern part of Terrebonne Parish and that part of the Parish to the north.
Other bridges were established in later years, and even an Intracoastal Canal tunnel was built. But the bridges that crossed the Intracoastal canal from both sides of the Bayou Terrebonne became the bane of local drivers. The bridges seemed to be open to boat traffic more often than to vehicular traffic.
An entire lifestyle developed, taking those two bridges into account. People learned to plan a twenty minute delay into their travel plans if the route involved getting to the opposite side of the Intracoastal Canal or the bayou.
"Caught The Bridge" was a common excuse for tardiness for generations, and sometimes even an acceptable excuse. Fire and law enforcement stations had to be established in all the quarters. Schools, church parishes, and shopping areas had to be established there as well.
Houma became a city whose residents were either from the East Side or the West Side of the canal.
Starting in the mid-1980's, work on a pair of new high-rise twin spans was begun. These spans would eventually replace the old bridges on Main and Park Streets.
Opening in the late 1990's, the parish was once again tied together, north to south and east to west as several bridges were completed across the Bayou Terrebonne as well in the vicinity of the old downtown area.
The area of the old bridges now lay directly beneath new spans. Those bridges old are gone today, and only missed for their memories, not for the problems caused. When plans were being made for their demise, several ideas were suggested. One that grew in popularity involved auction tickets being sold at $20 apiece. The winner would have the right to plunge the detonator handle that would dynamite each of the bridges in turn. Sadly, nothing came of that idea, with the bridges sold and moved elsewhere.
The construction of the new spans caused the area below to suffer economically. Residents started moving toward suburbs and away from the center of overly long construction project.
The parish established the "Downtown Port of Houma" in the area. Much needed beautification project. Downtown parking became available under the bridge spans, and a beautiful park for recreation boaters was established, as well as a walk park and a sort of "Riverwalk" along the Intracoastal Canal at the intersection.
This cache is located very near one of the landed corners of the two waterways. The business that provided the idea for this caches' namesake is on the northwest corner.
The cache container is hidden and fits into its spot with barely any room to spare. This is a common type with a slight twist to hide it. Space for small trade items inside with log, no pen inside.
The hint will help if you are unable to locate and will give away the spot. Cache replaced here 7/27/2015
Enjoy the area, and happy Geocaching!
Mudbug00
CONGRATULATIONS TO COPTERFAMILY FOR THE FTF!
I was waiting for the first review on this one. Had fun making the cache and even more fun when I discovered the location for it. Then, naming it was a cinch!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Orvat gnyy jvyy uryc lbh erzbir zr, V nz vafvqr n cbyr whfg unatvat gurer trggvat fhaohea jvgu ab pnc bire zr.
Treasures
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