This is Petal River Park, please obey all signs and regulations. This Cache may not be attempted at night due to the park closing at dusk!
Swamp Oak Legend
Trail Marker trees have only been discovered in the recent century, but have been around for thousands of years. The ground you stand on is believed to have been once been a part of the Choctaw Nation, and also a part of the Choctaw – Bay St. Louis trail. A Trail from Bay St. Louis to Choctaw, the capital of the Choctaw nation.
The Legend of the Swamp Oak takes us back 150 years when young Choctaw men began to shape her into the tree we see today. This was a marker for Men and Women traveling the trail. The story being told is this; the tree is the marker of the 2 rivers converging, the western river is strong and swift, while the eastern river was mild and gentle. The Swamp oak told the People to travel east and make their journey to the right of the 2 rivers, and up the trail toward Meridian. This trail is where we formed most of Hwy 11 to Meridian. It is said that this trail was used in the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek of 1830, which was the start of the Trail of Tears.
You need to go to the Coordinates listed on the cache page to start this cache. When you arrive the Legendary swamp Oak will tell you a story.
The Choctaw leader of this area, Hochito Hatak Lusa iyannash, would like to leave you with a message.
“ Lakoffi lopullit aha keyu afala maka”
Please be mindful of trail markers. This is a City owned park and we would like to take care of it. Here are a few rules to go by if you haven’t use trail markers:
Trails are Carefully Planned Land management agencies construct and maintain trails to provide easily identifiable routes for walking and hiking. Trails are designed to give visitors maximum exposure to special park features with minimal damage to the environment. When we reduce our impact on our resources, we take care of our parks while enriching our future outdoor experiences. The solution is simple. Do your part by staying on trails. Protect our resources for future visitors to enjoy. Take only pictures— leave only footprints.
You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.
FTF – Congratulations to: Sub(sand)due and Shawn(bagger)Soter
