A Quiet Paddle Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
-
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache is placed on Toronto Islands in a location that is only accessible by canoe or kayak.
The islands are a great place to escape to, and you can go many places by canoe/kayak that are not accessible to people on foot. There is a lot of nature to be seen on the islands, including great blue herons, egrets, kingfishers, swans, cormorants, swallows, painted turtles, minks, beavers, muskrats, and in spring, baby ducklings, goslings, and cygnets. This is a good cache for older children and families, as you can spend a few hours (or the day!) exploring the island from a quieter and more peaceful perspective; even paddle on to a little nook all your own and have a nice picnic lunch away from the crowds.
If you don't have your own boat, you can rent one from the Boat house on the islands, a short walk after you get off the ferry. You can rent one even if you have limited paddling experience, as it is generally safe to paddle around the islands if you don't go out to the lake, but do make sure to stay out of the path of small tourist ferries and motor boats. Note: These rentals are only available from Victoria Day to Labour Day.
More experienced paddlers without their own boat can also rent one from Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak Centre (near the CN Tower) and paddle across the lake. These rentals are available as soon as the water gets warm enough (around late spring) until the water gets too cold (around early to mid September). Please watch out for large watercraft, and stay out of the area marked by white buoys - this is the island airport flight path, and the nearby Toronto Police boat will zoom right over to you if you so much as stray in! Always check the weather before you go out and make sure a storm isn't coming in or that high winds are called for.
The terrain rating is a '5' only because you need a boat; there are no other real terrain difficulties with this cache.
Depending on where you start your paddle, you will likely need at least a couple of hours for this cache experience. Leave your boat on the west side of the island for the shortest bushwhack. Also, watch out for red ants near the cache site in summer. The container is a 4 litre, rectangular container that is camouflaged. It is filled with a lot of interesting high-quality items, including many pieces of artwork. Make sure you bring something special to trade! There is a $5 bill there as the prize for the "First to Find"; this bill has been registered at whereswilly.com so you can track where it goes once you spend it! I am also launching my very first Travel Bug from here, Sammy the Turtle.
Please place the cache back snugly and exactly as you found it. Note: Please do NOT try to swim to this cache. A variety of watercraft pass through the water right around this island, including motorized boats and a very large private ferry. It is NOT safe to swim.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Frr uvag cubgb.