The Comanche originated from a Basin-type culture and eventually
adopted a Plains culture. They separated from the Shoshone and
migrated southward in the late 1600s, appearing in New Mexico
around 1705. In the late 18th cent. and early 19th cent. their
range included SE Colorado, SW Kansas, W Oklahoma, and N Texas. The
Comanche were excellent horsemen and inveterate raiders, often
pushing far S into Mexico. They were extremely warlike and
effectively prevented white settlers from passing safely through
their territory for more than a century. They are said to have
killed more whites in proportion to their own numbers than any
other Native American group. They were associated with the Kiowa,
the Cheyenne, and the Arapaho in a loose confederacy. The Comanche,
however, considered themselves superior to their associates, and
their language served as the trade language for the area. The sun
dance, a common feature in the Plains culture area, was not an
important part of Comanche culture; they probably introduced the
peyote ritual to the Plains tribes. Never a large group despite
their wide range, their numbers were greatly reduced by warfare and
disease. In 1990 there were about 11,500 Comanche in the United
States.
MOGA MMIX (2009)
Welcome to Mark Twain Lake
and Mark Twain State Park.
In striving to make each MOGA competition
different and better than the last, The MOGA staff have hidden over
100 permanent caches around the Mark Twain Lake each with a western
theme. This cache will fall into 1 of the 4 different groups of
caches hidden around the lake.
- Ghost Towns - 30 caches named after
old towns from the wild west, all with their own special story.
They will range from a terrain of 1.5 to 3.5.
- Western Movies - 30 caches named
after some of the top 100 western movies shown in theaters. They
will range from a terrain of 1.5 to 3.5.
- Indian Tribes - 20 caches named after
the numerous tribes of the old west, with a brief history included.
They will range from a terrain of 2 to 4.
- Gunslingers - 20 caches named after
some of the famous lawmen and outlaws of the old west. They will
range from a terrain of 1 to 1.5.
Mark Twain Lake is accessible year round with
the exception of a special Handicap Hunt. During off season, you
must check in at the district office and let them know you are
hunting caches. A special window geocaching card may be issued.
Some areas of the recreation area can be gated so you would have to
park and walk in. Letting the office know will prevent a meeting
with a ranger and having to explain why you were back there in the
first place. During regular season, usually from April - October,
the area is wide open. Check the following websites for more
information.
US
Army Corps of Engineers - Mark Twain Lake.
Clarence
Cannon Dam website.
Federal Recreation Reservations.
This
cache is placed on property managed and owned by Dennis Gill of the
Timber Ridge Resort. He encourages you to stop in and say hello. If
you have time you can swap geocaching stories.