Element #26 Traditional Cache
Nomex: The cache owner is not responding to issues with this geocache, so I must regretfully archive it.
Please note that if geocaches are archived by a reviewer or Geocaching HQ for lack of maintenance, they are not eligible for unarchival.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Element #26 is Iron.
The chemical symbol for Iron is Fe, from the latin ferrum. Iron is a hard, lustrous gray metal. It readily oxidizes (rusts) and forms many minerals. It was first discovered in antiquity; the Iron Age started about 1200BC. Interestingly, iron was known earlier, but only from meteorites. Several pre-Iron Age implements made from meteoric iron have been identified.
Once mankind learned to smelt metallic iron from iron ore, iron quickly became useful for the production of all sorts of items, from axeheads to bridges. Steel, an alloy of iron with a couple of percent carbon, has improved material properties over iron, and has replaced it for many uses.
One of the main uses for steel is, of course, automobile manufacturing. This cache is located adjacent to the last West Coast automobile plant, at least until it closes. NUMMI re-opened a closed GM plant in 1984 and built Toyota and GM cars until its closure planned for April 2010.
My wife’s family is from the Detroit area. Lots of them once worked for various US car companies and suppliers; not as many do now. This cache is a tribute to all the US autoworkers who, sadly, have experienced that a once-mighty industry has fallen on hard times.
The cache is a spice jar with room for a log and a few small trinkets. Bring your own writing utensil. Parking may be had down the street from the cache. This street can be pretty busy at times, so BE CAREFUL! Because of this, the cache may not be suitable for small children.
The Thai restaurant down the street is pretty good as well.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Onfr bs gerr, haqre onex.
Treasures
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