The posted coordinates are a good place to park, but the cache is
not located there. Nate H. organized a massive restoration of the
Kissinger Lock along the Schuylkill River Canal with funding from
River Place and coordination with the local canal society and
archaeology students from Kutztown University. It involved removing
a giant sycamore tree in the middle of the canal as well as
rebuilding one of the stone walls and additional stone masonry
preservation. It is one of the largest and most comprehensive Eagle
Scout projects that I've participated in. You'll have to figure out
the story below in order to find the true coordinates of this
cache. I would suggest looking for this cache with a friend since
there are occasionally shady characters along the SRT (Schuylkill
River Trail) in this location.
Story ensues: For many years now, I've enjoyed operating an
anthracite filled canal boat with my mule "Smiley" along the
Schuylkill Navigation Company's many 108 miles of canals and slack
water between Port Carbon and Philadelphia. I had a box for you,
but unfortunately, I lost it near Lock 45. It seems I've lost a lot
of things along the way. With my first load of coal aboard, I lost
my harmonica in the southernmost lock of Mr. Peacock's before Felix
Dam. Later that afternoon, I lost an important document that I was
entrusted to deliver to Philadelphia near Leize's Dam. On my return
trip north, Smiley lost one of her bells at Garret's Lock in the
Second Mountain Canal. When I arrived in Port Carbon, I lost my
hiking stick outside a tavern. After filling up to return south,
Smiley lost a shoe at Fenian's Lock which later became known as
Warner's Lock. Thankfully, we made it all the way to Philadelphia
on that trip without losing anything else! However, on the return
north I lost my pipe at Warner's Lock. It was a nice one, too! That
same afternoon I lost a fine leather hat when a wind storm blew in
and deposited my hat in the river while I was looking out over the
Cape Horn Dam. Traveling south again, I lost a coil of rope I used
for tying up in the Parkerford which is a part of the Girard Canal.
Returning north, I lost my diary in the northernmost lock of the
Waterloo Canal. And then tragedy struck. I lost my heart and soul
at Vincent Dam. I lost my Smiley. She drowned in a flood after a
torrential rain storm one summer near the dam. I just couldn't find
it in me to resume canal work with another mule. I hope you can
find that box I had for you. If you find it, maybe you can get back
my "Smiley"!
You can check your answers for this puzzle on
Geochecker.com.
See also: