This is the first cache approved at the newly reopened Otter Creek Recreation Area! This is a regular cache hidden near the Van Buren Lodge that will lead you to a very scenic view of the Ohio River. This is essentially my "They Love Each Other" cache relisted. This short walk from the Van Buren Lodge, (less than 400' from the lodge parking area to cache) will give you a spectacular view overlooking the Ohio River, and of the railroad below.
On October 1, 2005, my brother-in-law and his wife were married outback of the Van Buren Lodge. Being the young hippies that they are, they invited all of their family and friends for what they called their wedding jubilee, (as it was a weekend long party. The pre-wedding party was a Friday night, the wedding was late Saturday afternoon, and a post-wedding party followed into the wee hours of Sunday morning). "They Love Each Other" by The Grateful Dead was their wedding song. And if you're wondering, they are still married and now have two beautiful daughters!
We found this place during that weekend and I thought "What a great place for a cache"! Surprisingly as of late November 2006, no one had put a cache back here at that point, so I placed my original "They Love Each Other" cache back then. You may want to bring a lunch or a good book, this is a very beautiful, peaceful spot that you may want to enjoy for a little while. Definitely bring a camera and post pics!
If possible, park in the Van Buren Lodge parking area. If they have the road closed to vehicles, park at the gate at the front of the road and walk down to the lodge. This will be a short, non-strenuous walk (less than .15 of a mile) down a gravel road. When facing the lodge, on the far right there is a trail. Follow down past the Van Buren Lodge and enjoy the view from the clearing. Please be careful as the path is near a steep bluff. And watch your step, as there are potential tripping hazards along the way. You are in absolutely no danger of falling off the bluff as long as you stay on the trail. This will be a short, non-strenuous walk. I highly advise against doing this cache at night because of the bluff, and it will be too dark to enjoy the view. The cache is NOT hidden on or near the bluff. Once you get to the clearing, you will notice a different trail near the back of the clearing, cache is hidden on this trail. Bushwhacking will not be necessary and is highly discouraged. Upon placing the original "They Love Each Other" cache back here, I was told by park officials that there are rare and unusual plant life in this area that the park wanted to protect. There is no need to leave the trail to find the cache, so please stay on the trail and help preserve this beautiful area.
In late fall and winter, the cache area can be partially seen from the Van Buren Lodge, please use stealth if the lodge is in use. Cache is a (badly) camouflaged water-proof box. PLEASE make sure you re-close the cache correctly to prevent water-logging, which has been a problem in the past.