I Miss Old Bob Mystery Cache
Hidden : 8/30/2008
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Located in a pretty rough part of the Mather Regional Park area. Not an easy drive up or a pleasant stroll.

Old Bob was the only horse I ever owned. I don’t even remember his thoroughbred racing name it has been so long, but he was always old Bob to me. He never won any races but his heart was always in it. After a very short racing career I bought him cheap to save him from the glue factory. I didn’t ride him much because he had a very bad gait and tired quickly, but he lived a happy life in the pasture and the barn. One day I decided to take him out for a little exercise, he was looking pretty sad and down in the mouth. I loaded him in the trailer and drove him out to a local area I knew for a short ride. It used to be a beautiful, lush area but its not the same any more, urban sprawl has taken it toll on what used to be some great riding territory. The beautiful creek that was here is little more than a littered drainage canal. There are houses and cement everywhere. I parked in the shade of a big oak tree and unloaded and saddled him up. I could see him brighten up with anticipation. I mounted up and we started out toward the open areas. I wanted to start at a slow walk, but he just couldn’t stand it. The racehorse in him took over and he went into a full gallop and I was unable to slow him down. He was going to make the best of this rare opportunity to regain some of his youth. Sadly, we didn’t get too far. After 6 furlongs he stopped exhausted as unfortunately he had done often in races. He trembled briefly and dropped dead. This last run was just too much for his heart. I spent a few sad minutes with him then headed back to the truck. I could just see the oak tree in the distance so I figured I better take a bearing to it so I could come back later and pick up old Bob for a decent burial. With my handy Boy Scout compass that I always carry with me, I sighted the tree and noted that is was at a heading of 265 degrees from where Bob took his last breath. At the truck I noted a nearby fence corner marking a section line. I took out an old sectional map stuck in the glove compartment of the pickup and made a note that as close as I could tell I was parked at N 38 degrees 32’ 20.0’’ and W 121 degrees 17’ 20.6’’. When I came back for him I left a cache nearby as a small memorial. You can still find it after all these years although the neighborhood sure is different than it was back then. There are few open spaces now where a guy could ride for miles without seeing anything but an occasional coyote. Think about him when you visit and look around and remember how it used to be out here in the wilds. The tree is gone and there is pavement everywhere. The parking coordinates given are not too far from where we started that last ride. There are probably parking areas closer to the cache but this is still a pretty wild area and you might have to cross some pretty deep gullies or find yourself on the wrong side of a stream if you come in from another direction. Besides, wouldn’t you rather retrace the last steps of old Bob. This is not a particularly easy cache to get to. You have to traverse some pretty rough ground with only a few animal tracks in the tall dry grass or ruts left by some trucks long ago. You need to wear sturdy boots and long pants for sure. Be prepared for a reasonably long walk. About a mile and a half round trip (as the crow flies or the horse runs). Be cautious of dangerous wildlife and considerate of the rest. This is their home for now until it is paved over.

You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Or pnershy jvgu lbhe havgf. [Congratulations to the intrepid Twiddleflip for the FTF] Nqqrq uvag fvapr ab bar ryfr unf sbhaq vg lrg, Tbbtyr Zntargvp Qrpyvangvba Arj Uvag - Qrivngvba jnf Rnfg 14.5 qrterrf

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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