THT's Summer Garden Party (SGP) 2015: The Elements

Lovingly placed by the Tropical Heritage Team

Cheerio! THT has decided to throw a Garden Party, and you’re invited! We’ve decided to put together four caches for this year’s Summer Garden Party that are all related to the Ancient Elements: Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. Each cache will symbolize one of these elements, with all four being used in the next few months.

So, why are we throwing a Garden Party? We feel that there’s no better way to find challenging caches than to dress up in your Sunday best and sip tea. In fact, we at THT have often made appearances at formal functions after finding challenging caches, such as the Ghost Orchid, without taking time to clean up first. Show off your keen geo-acumen by looking fresh and proper in a photo after the find. Style points will be awarded for invigorated smiles, sans any dirt, sweat, or scratches. The first three finders of all four Garden Party caches will be awarded a gift bag of tea from my favorite purveyor!

Yawn. The four letter word that sums up my sentiment about typical Garden Party music. It seems as if the MO for these events is to find the most lifeless compositions by Brams, Bach, Mozart, and Beethoven, as to be as unobtrusive as possible. After eating myself into a food coma from the mini lox bagels and puff pastries, I have been lulled face-first into my plate, snoozing the rest of the afternoon until I am politely asked to leave.

 But dear folks! This is a Garden Party, not a somnambulant soiree! Let’s find us some music that indicates that we all are comfortable we have a pulse.

Thumbing through my record collection, I immediately come across AC/DC’s “Beating Around the Bush:”

You can throw me lefts
You can throw me rights
But where was you last night
Beating around the bush

Now that’s the way to get this party started! Who said you couldn’t have a good Garden Party without a little riot? Okay, now let’s settle down and get the dancing started. Here’s a throwback from a long time ago: Tommy Sands’ “Blue Ribbon Baby.”

Ooh wee, a blue ribbon baby
Ooh wee, you take first prize
Ooh wee, a blue ribbon baby
You're my baby with the baby blue eyes

Woo wee! It’s time to swing! Now I’m getting in the Garden Party mood! A little blood flow is good to stave off the eventual sugar crash from the enthusiastic dive into the pastry selection.

As for a theme song, we’re a Garden Party in the Deep South. There’s no way we’re going to get away with playing Justin Bieber’s “Baby” or any Brittney Spears. We need a theme song that speaks to the heart of this hide. How’s about “Uncle Bud (Dog-Gone Him)” by Tampa Red?

They told me uncle Bud was a mighty good fella
But by this time, boys you will all know better
Uncle Bud, uncle Bud
Uncle Bud, dog gone him uncle Bud

THAT’S IT! Now it’s time to party!

No matter how you boogie, we hope you rock out to this cache. Bring your own tunes and feel free to bust a move once you've found it. Enjoy our party without the pomp and circumstance.

Do note, though, that these hides are not for everyone. You will probably spend a considerable amount of time searching for this hide. Please make sure to stay properly hydrated and limit your search if you are not feeling well.

Feel free to post a photo of you and your crew in your “smashing” styles at GZ! We’re wishing you many happy faces!

Happy hunting,

-THT

****Congratulations to jaxene and Ou-est-le-cache for the FTF!!!****