I have many fond memories of visiting Marion's white stucco, red
tiled roof house with a "ginourmous" avocado tree in the driveway.
She lived in "lovely S.B.," as she referred to her adored hometown
of Santa Barbara. Together we watched Prince Charles and Diana's
marriage on her big console T.V., fixated by the spectacle.
Shopping was a favorite pastime for us. Marion seldom found "just
the right pair" of shoes, an excuse for us to look at lots of
shoes! We would also have fun skimming magazines, placing orders
for just about everything...except shoes, that is.
Santa Barbara was a great place to take "Maxie," Marion's
daschund, for his daily walks in the neighborhood. We would always
drive to Stearns Wharf during my visits, to look at the ocean and
the beautiful dolphin fountain at the harbor. As Marion grew older
and needed some assistance, she relocated to Northern California to
be closer to family, including me. I will always remember the scent
of "Youth Dew," a fragrance by Estee Lauder, that graced everything
in Marion's house...her flowing, graceful penmanship...and most of
all, her sweet smile and laugh.
Marion will be laid to rest in Malad, Idaho, next to her husband
"Doc," who grew up there.
The cache is a cammoed decon container, tucked away from sight
to prevent muggling. There is a side trail that takes you easily up
to the cache location, listed as a waypoint to exit the Hidden
Valley trail.