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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is a two stage cache with both stages hidden in a little known and even less used, but rugged park in the county seat of Burke County, North Carolina. There are short hikes up and down steep hills and in sometimes rough terrain that can be slippery when wet. Please read the entire description. NOTE: THIS IS A CITO AREA. PLEASE BRING OUT AT LEAST ONE PIECE OF LITTER -- ASIDE FROM ANY POTENTIAL LITTER THAT WENT IN WITH YOU -- AND SO NOTE ON YOUR ONLINE LOG.
I placed this cache to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of this park that was truly lovely when it was constructed. Unfortunately it has received little maintenance since that time and although it is still charming, many of its steps and trails have "disappeared." It was at its most lovely when I placed the cache, and I almost wish I had given the cache more stages. Bright sunlight filtered through the trees and lit the carpet of golden leaves that were just damp enough not to crackle when walked upon.
In addition to unusual rock and tree formations, this park has a creek and, when there has been enough rain, a small waterfall. While some steps remain near the fall, they are steep and can be very slippery, as can be the many flat rocks in the area. Where you can see traces of an old trail leading in the general direction you need to go, I encourage you to take it. The original trails led by the most scenic and unusual parts of the park, and what is left of them still makes easier walking than hiking through brush and along steep hillsides.
There is a good deal of poison ivy in the area, but it can be avoided, at least most of the time. There are the usual insects and other natural creatures. Take precautions.
Stage One is a homemade micro containing only the coordinates for Stage Two, which is a plastic bottle. When put out, it contained a travel bug, the Fun Froq, who was so enamored with the park that he asked to be left there to vacation until he is picked up by someone to be taken to another cache.
The "special item" for the FTF is a worn silver dollar-sized poker chip good luck charm that I found on the ground in one of my first geocaching hunts in rugged terrain. In an attempt to keep the items dry, each one is in its individual zip-lock bag. If you trade items, please put them in bags.
There is limited parking at North 35-degrees 45.192, West 81-degrees 41.674, on the road next to the park entrance. In the half dozen times I have been to the park in the last couple of months, ours has been the only car there. On one occasion someone from the community came into the park, apparently to have privacy for his cell phone call. I have seen no one else there. That's a shame, but a plus is that there is very little litter in the interior of the park. Unfortunately that is not the case on the perimeter nearer to streets and houses. There are no picnic table, restroom, or playground facilities.
PLEASE DO NOT ENTER THE PARK EXCEPT AT THE ENTRANCE BY THE DESIGNATED PARKING COORDINATES. THE PARK IS WITHIN CITY LIMITS AND IS BOUNDED BY RESIDENTIAL STREETS. ALTHOUGH I HAVE SEEN NO POSTED SIGNS, ALL THE AREA AROUND THE PARK SHOULD BE CONSIDERED PRIVATE PROPERTY. KEEPING WELL INSIDE THE WOODED AREA ALSO WILL CUT DOWN ON THE BARKING DOGS!
And finally, this area has the reputation of being erratic for cell phone reception and GPS use; however, so far I always have been able to get very accurate coordinates with my GPS.
***Thanks and congratulations to RobinMohawk for FTF of Stage One. Don't understand why he had problems with Stage Two, but maybe next time.***
*******Thanks and special congratulations to five0xpres for the FTF of the "treasure cache."*******
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[Stage One:]
[a.] Ybbx sbe gur ubeaf.
[b.] ABG ba gur tebhaq.
[c.] Ivrj gur tnyyrel.
[Stage Two: If you had the ability, time, and inclination to get the coordinates, and to get to them, you won't need any hints, but here's one anyway: NOT ON OR IN THE GROUND.]