ALWAYS WALK LIGHTLY UPON CEMETERY GROUNDS
SHOWING RESPECT FOR THOSE RESTING HERE
WASHINGTON BAPTIST CEMETERY
EARTHCACHE REQUIREMENTS
Each cacher must send his/her own answers BEFORE logging a find. Enjoy the journey (learning adventure) as well as the destination (smiley earned). Remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. To get credit for this Earthcache, complete the following tasks:
1. MESSAGE …. What are tidal rhythmites?
2. MESSAGE …. Choose one of the Whetstone graves at or near the posted coordinates. Give the first name and the number of bands along the edge.
3. MESSAGE …. Explain the astrogeologic (astronomy+geology) significance of what you observed.
4. LOG …. Post a picture of you or your signature item at any gravesite with a flag. This picture is your log signature.
OPTIONAL - Please respect the time and effort involved in finding and creating this earthcache by adding A B C to your log.
A. Visit a memorial honoring our fallen heroes. Post a picture at the memorial. Label picture with name and location of memorial.
B. JOURNEY OF THE MIND ... Science explains what we observe. Relate (in your own words) something you found interesting in the reading. This adds to your learning adventure and your log.
C. JOURNEY OF THE HEART ... Art shares our personal experience of what we see. Share something special you found on site, and why it is special to you ... prose / story / poem / picture. This is a memorable addition to your log and will make other hearts smile.
Journeys of Heart and Mind ...
Stories to Touch the Heart and Puzzles to Challenge the Mind / Rainbow Tree Story
THANK YOU Cav Scout, Platinum Earthcache Master for your service protecting our freedom.
THANK YOU Cav Scout, Platinum Earthcache Master for discovering and sharing this location.
The headstones at the posted coordinates are made of Hindostan Whetstone imported from Indiana a few hundred years old. The Stone itself is millions of years old, but the engraved names appear as if they were just recently carved. Interesting to note is the person whose grave you observed probably lived longer than it took for the material in the headstone to be deposited, but of course, not nearly as long as it took for the silt to turn into siltstone.
WHETSTONE
Hindostan Whetstone is an evenly stratified siltstone deposited on coastal flats during the Pennsylvanian Period (300 million years ago). Whetstone headstones share three distinct physical properties. 1. When viewed on-edge, each marker exhibits thick-thin layers unique to whetstone. 2. They are more resistant to weathering than sandstone, and far more resistant than limestone and marble. 3. The color is usually tan or off-white compared to darker brown and red sandstones, white to gray marble, or gray limestone.
TIDAL RHYTHMITES
The thick-thin layering (couplets) seen at the edge of the tombstones was caused by the daily cycle of the tides. The thickening and thinning is a response to the moon and sun changing their positions in the sky, with thick layers reflecting higher tides and thin layers reflecting lower tides. These "tidal rhythmites" are so precise, they can be used to determine the phase of the moon during the time the layers were deposited.
RESOURCES
ANCIENT TIDES https://igws.indiana.edu/FossilsAndTime/Tidal.cfm
GRAVESTONES http://saveagrave.net/whetstone
HISTORICAL MARKER https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=83597
HISTORICAL MARKER http://www.maysville-online.com/lifestyles/washington-s-baptist-cemetery/article_6bec05dd-e0a3-5af0-be54-73ca8a9770da.html
EARTHCACHES GC1HWT3 and GC2P4HM
This series is dedicated to my dad who served in World War II.
GOD’S PROMISE …. A MOTHER’S LOVE
Told by my uncle (Joseph) ... And my father (Anthony)
Family was seated around the table on Thanksgiving Day when my uncle related why he and his brother returned home safely from the war.
Unbeknownst to my uncle aboard the carrier transporting him across the Atlantic, his ship was targeted by an underwater submarine. There were flashes in the distance that he later learned was the submarine being destroyed.
While stationed in Europe, his base was targeted by enemy fire. He awoke to the sound of the thundering of bombs exploding and saw the dark sky turn bright as the noonday sun. Men were scrambling for safety, but he remained seated with a peace that passeth all understanding. When the carnage was over, he looked down. There was a piece of shrapnel lodged just above his heart, but had not penetrated through his clothing.
Similarly, unbeknownst to my father aboard the carrier transporting him across the Pacific, his ship was targeted by an underwater submarine. There were flashes in the distance that he later learned was the submarine being destroyed.
My father loved to be amongst nature whenever and wherever. One day he was comfortably seated below a tree in the jungles of Australia. He laid his helmet beside him and was enjoying the peace of the moment. When it was time to leave, he reached for his helmet but was guided to look within before placing it upon his head. There sat a poisonous spider which would have surely been his demise. He dislodged the spider and returned to camp.
One day while on her knees communing with the Creator, my grandmother prayed for her sons to return home safely. She arose from prayer knowing God’s hand was upon her sons and they would return unharmed.
And so it was, many close encounters, but my uncle and my father each made it safely home. It was there the two brothers learned of God’s Promise and their Mother’s Love.