Badlands 10,000th commemorative was a little, uh, hard to find, taking you on a tour of most of GONIL's 12 counties. This cache is the total opposite, one one 'stage' nearby parking right off a state highway. This site has everything--a nice path, a pretty view and a little bit of history.
The park is named in honor of the mill that used to be on this site, the same mill referenced by the cache that was here for very nearly 10 years "A Millstone Around Your Neck" http://coord.info/GCJ0RJ . (Thanks to GeoRon for achiving that cache to make this one possible.)
I wanted to hide a special cache for his commemorative because he's a great guy-- he's always ready to help out by teaching a class, volunteering at a forest preserve event or working at CITO events. He's also a wonderful friend and sweetheart
Congratulations Sweetie!
This cache is a mid-size lock'n'lock with cammo tape instead of an ammo can because I wanted to use this park but there's not a good spot for an ammo can here.
The cache can hold trinkets but mostly it will be holding trackables as Badlands like to move travellers.
So come to the park, enjoy a nice walk along the river, say 'hi' to one of the many dogs that enjoy the trail for exercise as well. During the summer the river is usually low enough for a stroll in the water as well as along it. Don't walk in the water right by parking though as that area of the riverbed seems to have been improved to allow the water to run faster for the mill.
When you stop by for a visit make sure to congratulate Badlands on over 15 thousand logged finds, pick up or drop some TBs and enjoy the ever changing view.
Keep you eyes peeled as eagles are known to inhabit this stretch of the river, it's not uncommon to see an adult and juvenile (brown and gold mottled feathers) gliding over the river together.
If you do decide to go for a walk in the river, you should probably bring a buddy-- I know who I would choose!