Geocaching has this wonderful way of letting us share our great exploration experiences with others, but national parks pose an interesting obstacle for us. How does one reward his fellow explorers when you must "Take nothing but pictures, and leave nothing but footprints?" Beautiful Blue Springs park left me with just such a dilemma.

About the park:

This is a delightful park with pristine grounds and isolated campsites. There is a 4-mile nature hike, fishing, grills, a concession stand (more like a mini grocery store), Lockers (only $1.00 for the day), inner tubes, clean showers and a natural spring. In the unimaginably pure spring water manatees and otters frolic while you swim or tube down the run. Swim to the head spring and you find yourself hovering over an abysmal cavern plummeting 120' before turning into the maze of aquifer caves feeding it nearly 200 cubic feet of water every second, ruffling the surface of the pool. Scuba divers descend into the black depths to see Florida's inner Earth. 15 minutes off I-4 and a $4.00 admission (one in car) get's you in. Carloads of 2-8 people is $6. People on foot or bicycle costs $2. Overnight camping is $24 and cabins rent for $95. Don't forget to pack a picnic for the grill!

What kind of cache is this?

This is an offset cache only because I don't want to disturb this park. You may visit the springs, take a picture (with GPS) and log it as a virtual cache, or you can find the simple clues to locate the physical cache. You will pass by the cache on your way into and out of the park.

This is a difficulty 3 cache that should not be taken lightly. I do not wish anyone to turn sour to geocaching because they spent a fruitless afternoon climbing through weeds! Having said that, however, when you get to the cache you will find a quart sized camo'ed container in an remote area. As many logs attest, it is well worth the effort. For those who are determined to go for the big prize I can sum up 10 years worth of logs for you:

1. The most common pitfalls have been overthinking, so please have fun and go with your gut instincts.
2. Take the "virtual" picture - even if you plan to get the prize!
3. Enjoy the Springs, they are the reason this cache exists!

• Refer to table 1 and look up the Letter and Numeral of your answers to the questions below.
• Row: Where is this: N 28°56.852', W 081°20.359' ?

1. A "Please do not feed the wildlife" sign (if this is correct, go to row A)
2. The palm tree in the middle of the boardwalk (if this is correct, go to row B)
3. The Eastern head spring overlook platform (if this is correct, go to row C)
4. Scuba divers' entry dock (if this is correct, go to row D)
5. In a canoe! This is in the center of the spring! (if this is correct, go to row E)

• Column: Look west from N 28°56.742', W 081°20.338'. An enormous live oak tree appears to be grasping a tall cabbage palm where it's trunk branches off, much like a hand. If the trunk is the "wrist", and each large branch clasping the palm were "fingers", how many "fingers" does this oak "hand" have?

1. If One, you are not looking at the right tree.
2. If Two, go to column 2
3. If Three, go to column 3
4. If Four go to column 4
5. If Five, go to column 5