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CAROLINA WEEDS Traditional Cache

Hidden : 1/31/2012
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

The hide is in Whippoorwill Park off of Guess Rd north of I-85. There are clear signs leading you to the park from Guess Rd. Take the paved trail that follows Warren Creek north. At some point you will have to leave the paved trail and do some light bushwhacking into the Carolina Weeds--what a lot of North Carolinians call pine trees. If you park at Whippoorwill Park, the distance covered will be about 1.4 mi round trip.

The Eastern Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferus, is a medium-sized (22–27 cm) nightjar from North and Central America. The whip-poor-will is commonly heard within its range, but less often seen because of its superior camouflage It is named onomatopoeically after its song.

Adults have mottled plumage: the upper parts are grey, black and brown; the lower parts are grey and black. They have a very short bill and a black throat. Males have a white patch below the throat and white tips on the outer tail feathers; in the female, these parts are light brown.

Their habitat is deciduous or mixed woods across western, central and southeastern Canada, eastern United States and Central America. Northern birds migrate to the southeastern United States and south to Central America. These birds forage at night, catching insects in flight, and normally sleep during the day. Whip-poor-wills nest on the ground, in shaded locations among dead leaves, and usually lay two eggs at a time. The bird will commonly remain on the nest unless almost stepped upon.

The Eastern Whip-poor-will is becoming locally rare. Several reasons for the decline are proposed, such as habitat destruction, predation by feral cats and dogs, and poisoning by insecticides, but the actual causes remain elusive. Still, the species as a whole is not considered globally threatened due to its large range.
Due to its haunting, ethereal song, the Eastern Whip-poor-will is the topic of numerous legends. One New England legend says the whip-poor-will can sense a soul departing, and can capture it as it flees. This is used as a plot device in H. P. Lovecraft's story The Dunwich Horror. This is likely related to an earlier Native American and general American folk belief that the singing of the birds is a death omen. This is also referred by Whip-poor-will, a short story by James Thurber, in which the constant nighttime singing of a whippoorwill results in maddening insomnia of the protagonist Mr Kinstrey who eventually loses his mind and kills everyone in his house, including himself.

Hopefully, finding this cache won't drive you mad. You’re looking for a recycled bike water bottle painted with a camouflage pattern. Please screw the lid back on tightly after signing the log. Cache is initially filled with some decent swag. Please replace the cache as you found it.

Congratulations to mnloon, FTF

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

gjva cvarf

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)