Cache Background
This is the second cache I've placed, and the second showcasing Jerrabomberra and its surroundings. Have a look at GC2P6HJ "Jerra Jerra Bomberra", my first cache, while you're in the area.
I've named this cache after a strange encounter I had a few months ago near the GZ.
I was walking through the forest on warm summer's day, my footsteps loud on the gravel trails, deep in my own thoughts. I suddenly became aware of a sound behind me.
I spun around and racing towards me through the trees was a large white dog. The sound of my own footsteps had masked its approach.
A dozen thoughts ran through my mind. It was too close for me to run from it, and getting closer all the time. There were no large sticks or other objects I could use to defend myself within immediate reach. The only thing I could do was to try to appear harmless.
"Woah, easy there," I said in the calmest voice I could muster. I held out the back of my hand as I'd been taught to do with unfamiliar dogs to allow it to smell me. It stopped short, sniffed my hand and wagged its tail enthusiastically.
It was a large dog, fluffy like a husky but much larger. I scratched it behind the ear as I tried to spy a collar; there was none. It had several large burrs in its chest fur, which made me think it might have been out in the woods for some time.
Almost immediately the dog started back the way it had come. It ran twenty feet or so before stopping to turn and look at me. It barked once as if urging me to follow it, then ran on. I joked to myself that Timmy must have fallen down the well, and Lassie here had come to fetch help. Then it struck me that maybe that was exactly what had happened; maybe the dog's owner was injured somewhere in the forest and the faithful dog had gone looking for assistance.
I started after the dog, who was getting more and more difficult to see amongst the trees as he sped away. Soon he topped a small rise in in the centre of the forest. By the time I reached the peak I had completely lost sight of the dog. I listened carefully in case I could hear it retreating into the forest. I called and whistled, but to no effect.
In all likelihood the dog had simply run away from its master when it saw, heard or smelled me, and that no rescue drama was unfolding in the forest. But the strange nature of the dog's appearance and apparently magical disappearance has stayed with me.
Run on, ghost dog!
About The Area
This part of the bush area is mostly flat with small undulations. There are lots of small trails and water courses running through the forest, used by walkers, joggers, mountain bikers and (illegally) trail bike riders. Most of the muggles stay to the paths.
Although I've marked this cache as kid friendly, you'll want to have kids who are fit enough to walk the distance to the cache, and don't mind wandering through the trees and blundering through the occasional spider web.
About the Cache
The cache is a standard tupperware-style locking container with notepad logbook and pencil.
Enjoy! Any feedback about placement, difficulty or the rating of the cache is happily received!