Kim's Emerald Adventure Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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A cache located on the only island in Lake Tahoe -- Fannette Island in Emerald Bay. I kid you not when I say this is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Cache is ONLY accessible by boat.
JULY 27, 2006 NOTE: It is clear this cache needs some maintenance in terms of a new log book (the existing book is wet) and a replenishment of Lake Tahoe/water/fishing-themed goods. Since I live four hours away and do not know when I'll be able to service the cache, I would be eternally grateful if someone assited with a little maintenance on the cache. Please enjoy one of the most beautiful caching spots in the world. Happy caching. Bongo Drums
Emerald Bay is home to Vikingsholm, a hidden "castle" built among the trees at the head of the bay. In 1928, Mrs. Lora Josephine Knight purchased the property encompassing the head of Emerald Bay and Fannette Island for $250,000.
Before starting construction of Vikingshlm, Mrs. Knight and her architect traveled to Scandinavia to gather ideas for the construction of the house. Work on the summer home began in 1928 but ceased at first snowfall. Construction began again in the spring of 1929. Two hundred workers were brought to Emerald Bay and started hand hewing the timbers and carving intricate details.
Fannette Island is the only island to be found in all of Lake Tahoe -- a sparsely timbered, brush covered upthrust of granite that rises 150 feet above the water.
The stone structure on top of Fannette Island that looks like a miniature castle is the "Tea House" built during the same time that Vikingsholm was constructed, from 1928-29. After being transported to the island by motorboat, Mrs. Knight and her guests would occasionally be served tea there. Today only the stone shell remains.
The cache is located on the north side of the island. Althought the island is small, the sides are steep and covered with thick shrubs which make movement from one side to another difficult. Your best bet is to approach the island by boat from the north.
The island is open between 6 am and 9 pm. Please note that the island is CLOSED from February 1 thru June 15 due to nesting Canadian geese. The island is covered with snow much of this time anyway so you probably wouldn't want to try finding the cache during the winter.
PLEASE DO NOT TRY TO SWIM TO THE ISLAND. At 6300 feet elevation and a water temperature of 55 to 60 degrees (in the summer), you probably won't make it.
The cache is in a one gallon paint can that is painted green.
Original cache contents:
- log book
- mechanical pencil
- single use camera (Please take a picture of yourself.)
- 2 Lake Tahoe Stickers
- one very large Lake Tahoe die (one of a former pair of dice)
- small deck of Lake Tahoe cards
- caribiner key chain
- 6 pack of fish hooks with leaders
- 2 fishing bobbers
- balsa airplane kit
- Lake Tahoe "can cozy" (insulator for canned or bottled beverage)
Please be safe when searching for the cache and respect nature.
Bongo Drums
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gur pnpur vf haqre n ohfu arfgyrq orgjrra fbzr ebpxf. Jura va gur jngre ybbxvat ng gur abegu fvqr bs gur vfynaq, ybpngr n ynetr, gnyy, oner ebpx bhgpebccvat. Ybbx va gur ohfurf gb gur yrsg bs gur ebpx bhg pebccvat nobhg 25 srrg hc gur uvyy sebz gur fuberyvar.