a Time Flies Travel Company (TFTC) geocache
I See Dead Canaries
Although most mining during the early part of the California Gold Rush occurred above the surface, tunnel mining became more common as surface gold recovery played out. Both toxic and inert gases presented extreme hazards to miners, perhaps more so than cave-ins and other mining accidents. Odorless gases such as carbon monoxide, produced by torch lighting in the tunnels, and highly concentrated pockets of nitrogen and argon could kill without warning.
Miners would often bring caged canaries down into the mine to serve as early warning systems to indicate the presence of deadly gas. A dead canary in the cage was a sign to evacuate the mine shaft immediately. Canaries were suited to this not just because they're small and portable; their anatomy makes them extremely vulnerable to airborne poisons. Birds are continuously inhaling. This is what helps them fly, a tremendously taxing aerobic activity, at heights that would cause a human altitude sickness. For birds, the oxygen goes in and the carbon dioxide out, when it travels through a structure that resembles a ribcage-like series of tubes. When a bird draws breath, it passes air through those tubes, absorbing the oxygen into its bloodstream while the remaining de-oxygenated air goes into two sacs in its body. It also takes in air that rushes directly to a second set of sacs. When the bird exhales, the "spent" air rushes out, along with the carbon dioxide. That second set of sacs, full of unused air, also empty. Their oxygen-rich air rushes through the tubes on its way out, letting the blood absorb yet more oxygen. Birds are getting fresh air when they inhale and when they exhale - a double dose for our single one. This makes birds great at taking in oxygen, but extraordinarily sensitive to poisons in the air.
CACHE: When you get to the coordinates, you might be doing a little huffing and puffing yourself. As always, if you see any "napping" birds ... run!
- This geocache was placed with the permission of the F. D. Roosevelt State Park Manager
- Park hours are 7am-10pm.
- A $5 daily park pass is required for each vehicle entering F. D. Roosevelt State Park.
- While visiting any Georgia State Park, please obey all park rules and remain on the marked trails as you make your way to the geocache location.
- Pets are welcome but must be on a 6' leash at all times. Please be a good pet owner and clean up after your pet.
Note For New Geocachers:
Join us and enjoy the adventure of Geocaching. Please don't move or vandalize the container; simply replace the geocache where and how you found it. Before you leave, make sure the geocache is completely out of sight. The real treasure is discovering the location, signing the log book, trading even or up with personal SWAG and sharing your experience with everyone online in your "found it" log. You might even find a trackable item!
Note For Geocachers:
In your log, please indicate the condition of the container without giving any clues to its hiding spot (post no spoilers!). This will assist us with maintenance and provide a pleasant experience for others. Please replace the container in the same hiding spot as you found it. If the container is not found, please log your DNF and do not replace the geocache with a "throwdown".