RAS - Are You Geocaching? Traditional Cache

The terrain of M-185 and this series is generally level except for a small rise near the northern tip of the island. Transportation on the island is limited to walking, bicycling or horses. I have not placed any cache that would require you to scale any steep grade. If you think you need to climb or descend any steep grade, there's a better way to approach from a different road or trail.

DO NOT LOOK FOR THIS CACHE ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 21, 2014.

This cache and some others that I own on Mackinac Island are going to be disabled on Oct. 13th and archived sometime after Oct. 27th. The disable log will help warn geocachers that this cache will soon be gone.

On Oct. 21 - 25 I will be removing this cache and reusing the container to create a new cache. Normally I would just archive a cache and let the container remain for several weeks so anyone with old waypoints wouldn't look for a cache that has been removed. I can't do that with this cache as the existing container will be reused.

Logs will be allowed until Oct. 20th despite this cache being disabled.

M-185 circles the shore of Mackinac Island. This road is 8.3 miles round trip, paved with asphalt, and is very level except for a small rise near the north end. This road is often traveled by island visitors. Most users of this road ride bikes or walk, but a few rent saddle horses or horse drawn carriages. It is the equine group that provides the inspiration for the name; "Road Apple Series" (RAS).

These caches were placed for everyone that travels M-185 around the island. Most caches are close to the road, or at most, a dozen or two steps off the roadway. A few of the caches in this series will be off of a side trail, such as the Shoreline Trail (crushed stone), or the Lake Shore Nature trail (boardwalk and crushed stone). There are a number of picnic tables and other points of interest to stop and take in the sights.

If you use a bicycle, please remember to park your bike off of the road. The road gets busy with other users, some of which may not be paying attention to where they are going. Let's help to limit the number of accidents please.

If you haven't yet, sooner or later someone will ask you, "Are you Geocaching?". This was the case when I was here placing this cache. I can't recall how many times this question has been asked of me. It's not that the number of times asked is so great, it's the fact my memory fails me. LOL. You will be searching for a small to medium Lock-N-Lock. Please re-hide as found or better. Please trade fair or don't trade.

I have created, and will up date as needed, a bookmark list called Mackinac Island's M-185 Accessible Caches. Caches on this list are best found while traveling along M-185. I strongly recommend that any cache that is not on this list be found while traveling the roads or trails on the higher elevations in the interior of the island. I have not placed any cache that would require you to scale any steep grade. If you think you need to climb or descend any steep grade, there's a better way to approach from a different road or trail.

I highly recommend picking up an "Mackinac Island Map" from the information booth across the street from the Arnold dock. If the maps are not in the holders on the front of the building, look on the side of the building. For your convenience and planning, you can view or print the PDF file for the Mackinac Island Map. The one available at the information booth is printed on a glossy paper and holds up fairly well when repeatedly tucked in and out of a pocket or caching bag.

For your convenience, I have created some non-geocache waypoints. They are for:

These waypoints can be downloaded as a zipped GPX and a LOC file here. I've provided the coordinates if you would rather type them in by hand. I would love to hear how this works out for you or if you have any suggestions.

I read many of the logs that are posted on my caches, but sometimes I can't read all emails. If you find a problem with any of my caches, please post a "Needs Maintenance" log. Logs of that type are filtered into a special inbox that gets 100% read. Thank you.