GC1REAY Pelton Wheel, just ducky! (Traditional Cache) in California, United States created by DarkZen Daddy-O!

This cache has been archived.

DarkZen: Must be a goner. Sad to see this ducky one go~~thanks to all who visited! Archiving.

GC1REAY ▼

A cache by DarkZen Daddy-O! Message this owner

Hidden : 5/16/2009

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

Ammo box in upper Wilder Ranch State Park

Pelton Wheel, just ducky!

This cache is located near the upper pond that was used as a power source for the Pelton Wheel located in the Bunk House/Shops down at the main ranch. D.D. Wilder built the original farm and was known for the innovations he introduced to local dairy farming. In 1889 his son, Melvin, replaced his steam wheel (which powered the cream separators used in the process of making butter), with a Pelton water wheel in 1889. By 1890 the ranch workshop, forge, and early electrical generators were all powered by water.

The pond was replenished from Wilder Creek via a flume built just for that purpose. Remnants of the aqueduct can still be seen today.

Arc lamps on high poles were used to create an artificial sunrise, so the cows could be milked earlier. This enabled the dairy to beat delivery times of their competitors. Most American farms did not have electrical power until the late 1930’s, thanks to Franklin Roosevelt’s Rural Electrification Administration (REA) and Wilder Ranch had electric power a full 4 years before the city of Santa Cruz!
Later, Wilder added lights in the house. He installed a ventilation fan in the kitchen. Even the closets had incandescent lights, actuated when the door opened. The Wilder Dairy was the first in the county to use mechanical milking machines and they were the first to introduce returnable glass bottles (VERY Santa Cruz!).
The Pond
The pond is home to ducks and turtles (the turtles are supposedly on the ‘protected’ list but I was unable to confirm this, though I did see them). It also has a pier or dock that’s not for the faint of heart.
The
Cache
The cache is an Ammo Box container full of pretty decent swag, mostly duck related.

Getting there

The best bet for parking is at the main parking lot at
Wilder Ranch State Park, especially if you plan to be out for a
while. It’s safe and it supports the park system. From there walk or bike to the farm then under the walking/biking ‘underpass’ out into the inland side of Wilder. Alternately, you can park on Highway 1 (for free) near the underpass and drop down onto the path below via the de facto trail.

First responders!

Congrats to Evil Cow Pie on FTF!!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

ufho

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)

Pelton Wheel, just ducky! Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Watch

Geocache Description:

Attributes

Treasures