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In Memory of Black's Pond Traditional Cache

Hidden : 7/8/2015
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This isn't an overly difficult cache, but it should present some challenges to the unprepared cacher. Note the attributes.

At certain times of year you may get wet feet but most of the time that's not likely to be the case.

Cache is a camoed micro which looks very slightly out of place so sharp eyes should pick it out. Please note its exact location so you can return it as found.


Welcome to Borer's Creek. Downstream it proceeds through the Rock Chapel Golf Course, and then, famously, goes over the escarpment at Borer's Falls. 

This area has changed quite a bit in the last few years.

My very first geocache, "Turtle & Toad" (GC2EDD5), now archived, used to sit on the dam which created the large "Black's Pond", located immediately to the North.  According to articles talking about the history of the area, Black's Pond was believed to have been created by farmers for irrigating the nearby fields.  The small dam had been in place for a very long time and was in need of repair. City engineers noted that it would be more expensive to repair the dam and then maintain it going forward, than it would be to remove it entirely. The city's conservation group agreed: The dam was artifically keeping stagnant water here, resulting in invasive species of flora and fauna being able to gain a foothold. By removing the dam, draining the pond, and letting the original stream re-establish itself, a more natural ecosystem would be restored.

This led to much community discussion. People had opinions. But in the end, that's all water under the bridge. (get it?)  

The area lost a winter-time skating area. It was suggested (as part of the Official Plan) that there would be a walking path along the bank of the newly restored river. I don't see the trail yet, but the whole area is new. 

The location of this cache corresponds very closely to my very first placed cache, Turtle & Toad.  While the pond-now-river has changed significantly, the biggest visual change for the are is actually the rows (upon rows) of houses that have sprouted on both sides of the creek. When the previous cache was placed the area was entirely fields, actively farmed with corn, soy beans, and the like. When that cache was removed, the fields were fading memories as the builders were moving in. Today.... welcome to the edge of suburbia.

Congrats to Digitable on logging a FTF, 47 minutes after publication!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gb svaq vg, hfr lbhe rlrf abg lbhe svatref

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)