You are looking for a one inch by six inch tube hanging in the cedar tree about 20' east of where GZ puts you. At GZ you will see the remains of the big tree where the cache used to be. Hanging next to trunk at eye level. GZ will put you near the old home site. Do Not enter the old buildings – they are dangerous. You will need to walk about a half to get to the site – it is a beautiful walk, so enjoy. There are two ways to get there – stay on the mowed path.
Park near the walk-in gate at the end of the gravel road if the gate is closed or the grass parking area if the gate is open. The sign will say that you have to have written permission to enter – we have permission as long as we respect the area. The dates indicated on the sign have been relaxed – we can enter the area except during hunting season.
To get to the parking area find the intersection of Apple and 120th. Head west on the gravel about a quarter mile towards the farm buildings – just before the buildings turn south following the gravel to the parking area and walk-in gate.
ABOUT THE BLOOD RUN SITE: “The Blood Run [- Rock Island] site . . . straddles the Big Sioux River encompassing a total of about 1,200 acres in northwestern Iowa and southeastern South Dakota . . . The Oneota occupation of the site, believed to date to approximately A.D. 1200-1750, has received considerable attention over the years. Recently, the site has been evaluated as an important archeological resource worthy of preservation and possible development as a tourist attraction . . . The site once contained an extensive complex of burial mounds, stone circles, village areas, and an enclosure. Some of the archaeological remains at the site appear to represent protohistoric Omaha, Ioway, and Oto occupation (Henning 1970:150; Wedel 1974: 168, 1976:30, 1981:9-10). Farming, gravel quarrying, and artifact scavenging have disturbed or destroyed much of the site, but important features remain. A large portion of the site was designated the Blood Run-Rock Island National Historic Landmark in 1970. This designation recognized the site’s considerable importance as a cultural resource, but afforded it little actual protection since all of the site, until recently, was located on private land. In 1987, the State of Iowa purchased approximately 170 acres of the site area” (Lueck et al.:1995:21).
This site is a National Historic Landmark:
DO NOT disturb anything – stay on the moved trails as much as possible – stay off the burial mounds!
DO NOT collect anything – removing artifacts will result in a jail sentence – don’t risk it.
DO NOT attempt to enter the area during local hunting seasons – all caches will be disabled during those periods.
KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN – report any suspicious activities. If you see anyone digging in the area or any signs that someone has been digging – call the authorities.