The name of this cache, Kalakala, is the Chinook Jargon word for bird. The Wapato Access Greenway and Virginia Lake are really great places for seeing birds. Since I live in Scappoose (the Chinook word for gravelly plain), I thought it would be fun to name my caches in Chinook. This is my fourteenth hide, celebrating my 140th find.

In 1805, Lewis and Clark visited this island and called it Wapato Island for its abundance of potato plants. At that time, there were approximately 2,000 Chinook Indians living on the island in 15 villages. Today there are just over 1,000 residents who have established several farms, a grocery store and a school. On May 4, 2013, there was a confirmed cougar sighting on the island. Four residents saw the cat at about 8:30 pm, near Milepost 4 on Reeder Road. The next day, Fish & Wildlife representatives found tracks. ODFW gets reports of cougar sightings on the island about once a year, but this is the first time they have been able to confirm the animal’s presence.

The cache is not at the posted coordinates. The posted coordinates will take you to post with an image of a Rufus Hummingbird.

Clues

This is my fourth letterbox. I got turned on to letter boxing earlier this year (2012). There are so few letterboxes hidden in my area that I decided right away to start hiding some. I hope you enjoy this variation on geocaching.

(1) Turn your back to the post.

(2) Take ten steps across the trail into the trees.

(3) Look left.

(4) Find a large tree with three smaller trees right next to it.

(5) The cache should be at the base of this tree under cover of leaves.

BEWARE: while hiding this letterbox I was stung by a nettle plant. I stomped on it with my boot, but it will likely grow back. Wear long pants, long sleeves, boots and gloves. My hand was tingling all day.

TIP: To open a sticky ammo can: (1) unlock the latch, (2) place the can on the ground upside down, (3) stand on the latch handle, (4) pull the box up and away from the lid