Ancient River New EarthCache

As you journey along path of gray down river's stream flow, you are following an ancient river's course carving through rock, moving sediment, sculpting terrain and sustaining life of both plant and animal, including that of man. The old river. Wonder what tales could be told by this ageless flow. I would per se that the stream would begin the story at its origins eons ago and the great river Teays.

The Teays was a super river that existed long years before and during the Pre-Pleistocene Age (over 2.5 million years ago) which flowed northward from present day northwestern North Carolina through Virginia and West Virginia into northern Ohio then westward through northern Indiana into northern Illinois thus encompassing a tremendous water basin and tributary system.

The mighty Teays flowed wild and free that is until the Ice Age emerged with glaciers pushing their way through the land. The advancing ice sheets slowly cut off the Teays' natural flow as they created dams pooling the waters behind each. In addition, the glacier's melting waters along with these new reservoirs over running their natural barriers altered the course and flow of the Teays as well as creating new rushing rivers cutting their path through earth and rock.

With the sculpting erosion of the newly birthed rivers, the super river broke up; divided it diminished leaving only remnants of its existence. The mighty ancient Teays that once was an immense rival of the great robust Nile of Africa, became no more than a remembrance in time for scientists to study and mankind to ponder.

And what of the old river of which we are following, listening to its life's tale? How does it know and relate to the once great and mighty Teays? Listen as the old river's story continues.

For you see, our friend the old river is one of the ancient remnants left behind by the fading Teays. According to geologists, this old river is around 300 million years in age which also somewhat dates the Teays since the old river carries on its currents the legacy of Teays for itis the longest and largest tributary of the ancient river existing in present time extending from its head waters in northwestern North Carolina and journeying northward. Therefore, this old river is the second oldest river in the world, second only to the grand Nile, that is.

The waters flow til they merge with the Gauley River where it's then called the Kanawha River and continues its flow north to the Ohio River then onward to the mighty Mississippi River before being emptied into the Gulf of Mexico via the Mississippi River Delta.

Yet this old river's story of wandering migration is far from over for as its waters meander the terrain it's joined by younger and smaller tributaries emptying into its vibrant currents adding their own waters to the older for the journey unto the sea. Being that any and all waters flowing over Earth's exterior soils and rock are called creeks, streams and rivers. The term used for each water flow depends largely upon the size of the water moving over Earth's surface from high elevations down slope to the lower. The runoff generally follows the easiest path descending the terrain.

As the old river's waters carve its path forward through time and lands, it moves at varying velocities and depths in e'er changing flows ranging from soft peaceful currents to more raging torrents. Width and depth of the old river also differs along its journey adding to its unique characteristics and personality. In addition, natural occurring hindrances and barriers, such as shoals (an expanse of shallow water caused by either a sandbar or a very rocky area within the water's currents) and /or large rock and stone, define the waters flow and heart's story yet untold. These features either alone or combined with one another provide the old river some special areas of intrigue and mystery therein. While you follow the old river's path, take note of its songs and tales that reveal its unique characteristics and heart's secrets to unfold.

Now knowing where the waters journey to, where then do they begin? The rains come and fall seeping down through the pores of soil saturating the ground til it can no longer absorb any further water droplets. This saturated soil is called groundwater and at a certain depth it's then called the water table (see USGS figure below). The soaked earth being able to no longer hold water causes the water to pool atop of the ground til gravity takes hold and it begins to move down slope, thus we have runoff and streams flow. In addition, the banks of rivers frequently carve into the water table and these waters too merge into the river's flow to the sea.

Nevertheless, even with the old river's waters joining that of the great ocean, its story does not end for it's part of the Earth's great water cycle in which water is ever moving and changing forms (liquid, vapor, and solid) til one day in time the water returns to the old river's currents for yet another adventure to the sea. Water is evaporated into the atmosphere where condensation occurs changing water vapor into liquid form gathering in clouds til the clouds release them as rain to the earth once more. See the USGS diagram below showing the water cycle in further detail.

Therefore, you are journeying down path of gray along an aged old river with much more history to write for its everlasting flow continues in the eternal water cycle of life with fresh songs to sing and tales to be told by this old river, the Ancient River New.

To log this cache:

~ email me the answers to the following questions:

1. What is the name of the river that the New River derived from and when did it exist?

2. How old is the New River? Is there a river older than the New, if so what is it's name and where is it located?

3. Where does the New River begin and in which direction does it flow?

4. What defines the New as a river?

5. Will the waters cease their flow? Why or why not?

6. What do you find unique about the river's currents flowing at this location compared to the river upstream? What do you think defines the river at this point in its journey?

Bonus Question (optional):

Once you reach the coordinates, sit for a few minutes and listen to the water's flow. What do you think is the present song or tale voiced by The Ancient River New? Note: There is no wrong answer for the song of the river rises from its heart in the moment of time as it passes by in lonely journey north to the sea. What does your heart hear? You see, I am a curious sort and would love to know what you hear. If you choose to answer this one you may email it with the above answers or post it in your log to share with other cachers who would journey the old river's path as well.

~ USGS ~ A Tapestry of Time and Terrain: The Union of Two Maps – Geology and Topography ~ The Teays River

~ West Virginia Encyclopedia

~ Wikipedia ~ The New River

To name a few.

Note: Even though the New River Trail is handicap accessible, it should be taken into consideration that the cache site is located approximately 1.5 miles down river from the posted parking area which is about 3 miles round trip. Due to the length of journey, the terrain rating is therefore a 2. If you are planning on seeking this cache treasure, please take the distance into consideration.

CONGRATULATIONS TO sldrdvm, Klaus the dog and ACRS47 for being FTF

AND TO sldrdvm and Klaus the dog for their very FTF Earth Cache