Is this cache Hobo's rock? or Hobos rock?
When I was a kid my grandfather used to tell me stories about riding the rails during the great depression and I was always enamored by such stories. He told of many rules to follow:
1. He said the first thing to be aware of is whether you're on a good road or a bad road. Bad road being the term used to describe a train line rendered un-rideable due to the action or crime of a previous hobo.
2. You had to find spot where the train is running slow enough that you can hit it on the fly (jumping onto a moving train ) because you can't flip onto a cannonball.
3. Never try to board a train in the yard. The Yard Bulls will find you. At the very least they'll kick you out and and you'll be carrying the banner to the next yard. At the worst, especially if you're on a bad road, the Yard Bulls will beat you. The yards were also patrolled by bone polishers (dogs) which were worse then the Yard Bulls.
4. Always try to hit on the fly from the ground. Preferably you should look for an empty cow crate. That'll protect you from the wind.
5. Never try to hit on the fly from an overpass. You'll end up on top of a car and have to ride possum belly the whole trip. You definately don't want to be axle riding either.
6. You should avoid a hot shot train if possible. (What we would call an express train today; going fast and making few stops.)
7. Basically a good place to get on or off a car is about a quarter mile away from the yard. The train is either slowing or hasn't hit speed yet.
8. Knowing when to get off a train is just as important to knowing when to get on. Some towns were hostile to hobo's. You only want to get off if there's work, three hots and a flop.
9. Never stay in the jungle (hobo camp). They are too full of Yegg's and Rum Dum's (Thieves and drunks). You're better off grabbing your Bo (term of endearment for a fellow Hobo), a tokay blanket (drinking to stay warm) and sleeping under the cover of the moon.
So off they rode. He said they'd be gone for weeks or sometimes months on end looking for work. On a good day's work he said a Bohunk like him can make a nickel note and a bowl of bullets. (five dollars and a bowl of beans). The obvious questions I had back to my grandfather were how did you know whats a good road? whats bad road? Whats a good town? whats a hostile? Where was work available? You've never been there and you can't just randomly guess. Apparently there was a whole hobo code, hoboglyphics, and they would paint them on signs, carve them into trees, carve them into rocks, etc.. So other Hobos would know what to expect at that stop. In addition to hobo code, Bo's would also frequently carve their names or initials as a sign to other Hobo's that this is a safe Hobo area or possibly a jungle.
What's this have to do about a virtual cache in the middle of the woods? There are nearby train tracks today. Before 1945, they used to run through the woods here. They were moved to higher grounds because they kept caving into little cedar creek. Part of the trail you'll be walking on is the old railroad bed. At the posted coordinates you will find a Hobo rock. (Actually three Hobo rocks.) Any paintings and tree carvings are long gone but the rocks remain. On the rocks are many carvings. On the back of the rock (side away from the trail) is a Hobo's name carved into it, first name starts with an 'R'. Message me his first and last name to claim your find for this cache. Since there are three rocks, you're looking at the one with the initials ES on top of it. As a side note, my grandfathers initials are ES. He rode this area so those could very well be his handy work.
This cache is on Unity property and visitors are invited to walk the trail. However you must follow the rules posted below. Remember Unity has their own force of Yard Bulls, so do not walk the trail between dusk and dawn or you may find yourself in a jug or a crowbar hotel. Note on dogs. The trail rules said they are allowed. I don't believe they are allowed in the other areas of campus. So if you plan to walk the gardens, fountains, etc, then I think doggo needs to wait in the car or at home.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.