On January 18th 1994, a frigid 12 degrees as a high temp, and a layer of soft snow on the ground in Beautiful Ephrata, Pennsylvania. A normal January day, a bit colder than usual. However, "usual" was not the order of this frost bitten day. This day was neither typical nor usual, but a day to remember. On that early morning, bitterly cold day, Ephrata or more precisely, the Lincoln/Clay area was about to experience a 2.6 magnitude earthquake! Minor for Californians or Japanese, but a major event for those of us here that remember it!
The epicenter was located just between Lincoln and Clay (where my other cache is "Just for the Heart"). The small rift fault, which you can visually see, runs right behind Paul B. Zimmermans Hardware. The epicenter was at a rough depth of about 5 miles deep, and at 1:43 am it began to shake and growl for about 12 seconds. Reportedly, Ducks, Jays and other local fowl began sudden loud flights away from the area at roughly 1:40 am, three minutes before the actual quake. Reports say it was so loud, it woke many local residents from sleep. Then it hit, that dull deep rumbling, never forget that sound! I remember saying the next day, "Can you imagine a 4.0 or higher? Yikes!". It rattled windows, shook the ground but did little else. It did however motivate the local fowl!
The next day it was reported that no ducks, geese, crows or any other birds were seen the entire day, SAVE ONE! A duck aptly named by the locals as Donald (of course) was seen and rescued by a local family whom heard his agitated distress quacking. He was caught in fishing wire on the Cocalico Creek (hence the reason he did not take flight with the others). Donald, however when finally released from his bindings by the family, refused to fly off or even leave the area of his imprisonment. Some say he was the duck that saved Ephrata from the Big One?! Donald lived, as far as we can tell until 1997 in the same spot, the spot you are going to!
Donald's likeness is still in the same spot to this day on the Coalico, its your turn to visit our local friend and earthquake protector! Be kind to him, some say he brings good luck. This is the actual spot reported that Donald was trapped. I even found old yellowed fishing line all over at the exact place reported. Enjoy this geocache, it was fun, time consuming and more fun producing. Please leave Donald in his place, he likes it there! Hope you enjoy. Oh, and please, PLEASE reset all caches...THX!
TOOLS NEEDED:
1. Flashlight may be needed in summer if overcast, only needed for one stage.
2. Smart Phone or Tablet, or lug along a desktop. Simple field puzzles need to be solved, well...In the Field. Internet helps. If your over 40 you had one of these classes in school.
TERRAIN:
Can be accessed by both small boat or over land and by helicopter.
Terrain rating is based on worst case scenarios for Winter and Summer.
Winter, snow and ice buildup may be a factor? Summer is a slight bushwack, but nothing insane and flooding may be an issue. Area is south of a flood plain, so be careful after days of rain/snow. Small children can be used as anchors if flooding occurs..J/K.
DIFFICULTY:
Simply because the puzzles have to be solved "in Field". Some may find them easy, some not so much. The attempt was to give cachers a mixed type (Field Puzzle, Multi) without it taking forever to figure it out, but alot of thorns don't help. Hope it works out for all! Donald awaits your arrival.