GC5XAXG ARRRRR Ya Ready? (Traditional Cache) in Illinois, United States created by ByronForestPreserve

This cache has been archived.

ByronForestPreserve: Well, I went out to check the sinkhole, and it's full to the brim of cut trees and branches! I don't think that this spot will be available for at least a few months. Even so, when it's cleaned out, there won't be anything to hide the cache anymore. It's great that the debris and invasive trees are being restored to prairie...but there goes my spot! I'll re-hide this container on another part of the property some time.

I did dig around for the TB but didn't see it.

GC5XAXG ▼

A cache by ByronForestPreserve Message this owner

Hidden : 10/28/2015

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: large (large)

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Geocache Description:

Get ready for an adventure! Though the SIGNS may tell you to BEWARE, you're on the hunt for pirate treasure! This is on the easy side of T2 as all but the last 25' is on a nice mowed trail. There's no poison ivy but plenty of stinging nettles close to GZ as well as some metal debris on the west side.

Not many know that this area of Illinois had real pirates--horse thieves and worse who operated throughout the Midwest, including Ogle County, in the 1830s. Rumor has it that they left behind caches of treasure, and that their hideouts were often hidden in plain view.

Though the restoration crew at the forest preserve has come across some really old debris, they don't believe the tales enough to give it a good look. Deer trails might even travel right by one of their forgotten stashes in an overlooked sinkhole, and no one would know...unless you dare to look!

This LARGE cache was put together by some summer camp kids who had a really good time devising decorations to add to the experience. Take my advice and walk the trail and look around before you make the plunge...there is a species of sunflower surrounding GZ that could be nigh impenetrable at times and hides stinging nettle to boot, but there is an easy way in if you can find it (I did it in shorts). We want this to be easily accessible to cachers with kids, so we marked the "entrance" on the northeast. So...follow the signs!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Orjner! Xrrc Bhg! Ybbx sbe gurfr fvtaf gung lbh'er ba gur evtug genpx.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)