The creek....
McMurtrey Creek runs through the heart of Salem, across Bonebrake property, and flows into Spring Creek. Each hard rain brings new trash and makes it difficult to get good pictures of the pretty little creek.
The area....
Dr. Jasper Newton McMurtrey came to Salem in 1869 from Washington County, MO. He bought this piece of property with the original deed being wrote on sheep skin. The lumber for the home came from Rolla by the way of ox cart. The house was built in 1881.
Dr. McMurtrey owned a drug store at the corner of Fourth and Main Streets where Craig's Plaza is located today. He was also one of the founders of the power company in Salem. In the early 1900's Dr. McMurtrey gave a portion of his property to the town to build a high school you can still see to the north.
This home later became the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History.
The 12 acres of the Bonebrake-McMurtrey property includes a major spring-fed pond, natural wetland area, and a small stream. The spring was important in the location of Salem and has a history all its own--a source of water in dry seasons, the water supply for Salem's first swimming pool, a cooling reservoir for a cheese factory, and a source of pride for the whole community.
Along the meandering stream is a mix of native trees--a setting for birds and bird watchers. There are walking paths, with wooden benches scattered along the trails for resting or contemplating the surroundings. A "pocket prairie" of native warm season grasses has been established and hundreds of trees planted on the grounds. The public is welcome to wander around the property.
The prizes....
Other than there are 6 caches within .25 mile of GZ and maybe some new caches in Dent County, there will be prizes for the most intact Styrofoam cups collected, most weight of glass collected, first snake seen and shown to another cacher, and door prizes. And, don't forget geocaching.com's prize- ''Each person who logs an "Attended" for a CITO event on April 24-26 this year earns a 2015 CITO souvenir for their Geocaching profile. They also earn a sense of accomplishment and probably a few finds along the way.''
The house can be opened for the event, inclement weather or restroom use, and the land is open to the public during daylight hours at no cost.
I will be in waders and should be able to toss any trash to the shore in the deeper spots. Bags, trash sticks, and rubber gloves will be provided if needed. Work gloves, rubber boots, and bug spray should be brought if you think you would need them. Come help us in "Cleanin' Up the Creek"!
And don't forget that after a day of grabbing Dent County caches you can end it at a cool astronomy/geocaching event at nearby Shawnee Mac Lakes.... Stellar Social Event