Tenting at Short Sands Traditional Cache
GeoCrater: I am regretfully archiving this cache since there's been no response from nor action by the cache owner within the time frame requested in the last reviewer note.
GeoCrater
Geocaching.com Community Volunteer Reviewer
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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You're looking for a 4 x 6 inch lock 'n' lock, approximately 1/4 mile from parking area. Heavy tree cover, so coordinates will put you close and geosenses will do the rest!
This cache commemorates the 38-year annual camping reunion of a special group of Lewis and Clark College alums. Cache is hidden in the old Short Sands walk-in campsite #22 that often served as the group area for our multi-family gathering from 1975 - 2007. Tables temporarily moved from the tenting sites were craftily overhead-tarped to shelter cooking,eating, card-playing, and conversing. The early-birds arrived on Tuesday to begin collecting the needed sites by Friday when the total influx occurred, with as many as 60 joining in the communal Saturday night burgers and beans dinner. Singing around the campfire, especially as the second generation grew to participate, was a treasured ritual, and we even recorded a CD of favorite Short Sands songs that the third generation (our grandchildren) hears as lullabies. Every year the beach and creek area evolved, with winter storms depositing tons of logs or blocking off ponds of various sizes, washing out the beach path, and even once the upstream footbridge. The stories of Short Sands exploits from earlier years (hiking, boating, flying, fishing, surfing, tide-pooling, log-rolling, star-gazing...) bind us together.
Alas, the old-growth spruce grove habitat of the campground suffered soil compaction from the many years of thousands of campers' and day-users' feet, damaging the trees' health. A huge tree fell in the campground in June of 2008, narrowly missing a family's occupied tent, and the campground closed immediately to assess risk and consider future safety. It was determined that other trees were also in danger of falling so the campground permanently closed. This is the fifth year our group has gathered in houses in Manzanita, spending days on the beach as of old, and not really missing the old wheelbarrows nor hauling gear up and down trail from the highway! The campground itself is reverting to forest, tables and tent pads removed, but we still feel the memories. We place this cache to pass along those glorious days to others, and give our grandchildren a taste of their heritage. Items in the cache initially are small bubbles bottle, packet of sunscreen, bouncy ball, moonsnail shell, frog, I Love You heart, log and pencil, and Mussel Miler TB (who wants to visit beaches all over the world). Didn't require bushwacking when placed, but may overgrow as time progresses. Prize for FTF (and want!) is a copy of our Short Sands CD of campsongs -- contact Fergler through geocaching.com for delivery!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Vafvqr n snyyra tvnag
Treasures
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