Hester Creek Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Elevation 1368 feet
Accurate to 9 meters
This cache is on private property with permission. There is lots of parking available in the lot very close to the cache. The cache is fairly open so please be stealthy!
At this cache you will find yourself once again on the Golden Mile Bench. The Golden Mile is a grape growing region on the west side of the South Okanagan valley. This area is well known as one of the best grape growing regions in the Okanagan. The Mile is a series of alluvial fans created by debris flows over thousands of years. The geocache’s namesake, Hester Creek, is one of the tributaries that contributed to the creation of the alluvial fans. Hester Creek was named after the daughter of one the first pioneering families to settle in the valley.
The vineyard surrounding you was first planted in 1968 and consists of some of the earliest plantings of European grape (vinifera) varieties in the South Okanagan Valley, (please don’t pick the grapes). Original property owner, Joe Busnardo, imported many different varietals in order to determine which would grow well on this site. One of the first varieties planted by Busnardo was an Italian grape, Trebbiano. These Trebbiano vines are now over 40 years old and continue to produce wonderful aromatic wine to this day. Other varietals growing are Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc.
It’s not just about the history of the grapes here. This site only gets an annual rainfall of 7-8 inches so chances are it is a beautiful sunny day to enjoy the fantastic views. There are also many different types of birds and animals you can see. Be careful when driving up the road, there is a large marmot colony whose members tend to dart across the road in front of you.
Once you have found the cache check out what there is to offer on site. You are in the Wine Capital of Canada, one of the most beautiful places in the world!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Vg vf bx gb jrrc rirel abj naq gura.