This container was first placed west of Hamilton as “Ravalli Burma-Shave #1” in April of 2003! It was one of my first caches! I had only been into geocaching for a few months when I first placed it. It has lasted a long time – I hope it makes it here in the new location for as long! You will probably enjoy reading back in the log book! There was one TB in the container when I archived it and I am transferring it to this cache. I am also placing a TB I had picked up.
Do you remember the Burma-Shave signs that used to dot our country from 1925 up to 1964? Whether or not you do, this cache will give you just a taste of the fun us “mature” people had as we traveled the highways of America in that era. I remember them well from many trips back and forth across the country.
Burma-Shave was a “brushless” shaving cream but a large number of the verses had nothing to do with shaving at all. Burma-Shave signs always (OK, just a few exceptions) consisted of six signs spaced along the highway. Each sign had only part of the message such that as you progressed along you got the entire message one sign at a time. The last sign always (with one exception) had the Burma-Shave logo. Most of us remember them as bright red with white lettering (there were two other colors in earlier years and in some locations – black on orange and white on blue).
For example:
Santa’s / Whiskers / Need No Trimmin’ / He kisses Kids / Not The Wimmin / Burma-Shave
Got the idea? OK, here is what this cache is about. The above cords are for the first “sign”. I suggest you drive by slow and write down the verse. We live on a dead end road and so the turn around at the end would be a good place to stop to do your “calculating” to determine where the final stage is. This verse was used by Burma-Shave in 1951.
N 46*5A.BCD W 114*0E.FGH
A= Characters in 2nd word 3rd sign
B= Number of words on 2nd sign
C= Number of words on 6th sign
D= Number of words on first 3 signs
E= Characters in first two words on 4th sign
F= Characters on 2nd sign
G= Characters in 1st, 3rd and 4th words on 3rd sign.
H= Number of words on first sign
Note: I am saying “Burma-Shave” is two words.
If this cache has a “theme” it would be “memorabilia” but any trade items will work. I do try to keep it “stocked” with my “signature” ball point pens and plenty of copies of “Let The Little Shavers Grow” which is a one page epistle on the Burma-Shave signs of yore. You are welcome to take a copy without a trade. You may find some other papers of the “memorabilia” theme as well as some other trade items. I am leaving a copy of “verse by the side of the road” in the ammo can for the FTF!
As always, try to be discrete as you search so as not to attract attention - especially the final location and be sure to replace it so that it is well hidden. There is no need to go onto private property. By the way, this cache could be done in the winter with snow on the ground with very little difficulty.
One last thing, Billy-Jack is still on a diet – that is why he is not with the horses - he has lost some weight and is looking better – just a treat – celery is great – maybe a carrot or two or an apple. Let’s avoid things like candy and sugar. Perro can have anything he wants (if Billy-Jack will let him have it)!