Periwinkle Lane Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The hidden laneway leading to this cache once connected the 7th Concession to a 19th Century mill and to a homestead built by Sam Boyer who arrived in Pickering Township from Pennsylvania in the 1830’s. The lower road led to Boyer’s second “Cold Water Mill”, built in 1845, and the upper road led to the homestead.
The mill was a thriving business in the area and after Sam’s death it was run by his son Abe in the late 1800’s. John Graham (1864-1955), son of the local Blacksmith, reminisced about the area in a 1954 Christmas letter:
“… That creek uest to be live with fish, big chubs would go a pound or more and lots of speclad trout and shiners and suckers. Us boys uest to do a lot of fishing them days. My father done great trade there and so did Abe Boyer. Abe uest to have a road east of the bridge to go into the mill and there was a big line up near every day …”
Local history notes that the Bayles family lived in the home built by Boyer for 50 years during the first half of the 20th century. Mrs. Bayles was renowned for her gardens “that gave pleasure to behold”. Though the house has been demolished flowers and shrubs remain at the top of the laneway indicating where it once stood. A clearing surrounded by trees and shrubs typical of early settler homesteads includes lilac and forsythia bushes, an apple orchard, and large shade trees. The abundance of flowering plants such as lily of the valley, periwinkle, edelweiss, lily and scilla in this area probably spread from Mrs. Bayles’ gardens.
Once you enter the clearing, look for a barely visible opening between the lilac bushes to find the laneway and the path to the cache.
Photos of the various plants in bloom would be appreciated!
The cache has been stocked with items from various educational facilities in recognition of the educational nature of this property.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Xarr uvtu
Treasures
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