One of the real joys of geocaching is the discovery of little-known local sites of significance to alternative history buffs. Without geocaching, I would never have learned about the fascinating story of the epic relocation of Raymond Hill (GC14PBP), or the fascinating saga of ocean-going ships docked in the marinas of Pasadena (GC7HM1F). I decided it was time to give back to the community and share this seldom-told story of the forgotten connection of our 16th president to the town of Pasadena.
Early in his political career, a disillusioned young Abe Lincoln took a vacation to the west coast, to get away from the stress and strain of all that rail splitting and country lawyering. As fate would have it, his aimless wanderings took him to the northern outskirts of the rugged frontier town of Pasadena, where he stumbled into a quaint local eatery (that still stands today!) Sustained by the delicious victuals he was served there, and buoyed by the kind and generous spirit of the locals, Abe discovered new motivation to serve his country.
Documents unearthed at the Huntington Library reveal that Abe spent the next fourscore and seven days sitting at his favorite table as he composed inspiring tweets and posed for instagram daguerreotypes that were dispatched by pony express back east (#stovepipehatsarecool) to a growing band of followers. Before long, his career was back on track, and the rest is, um, “history”. You can relive this nearly forgotten chapter of American folklore as you find a cache on Abe’s avenue. Not quite wheelchair accessible, but close enough that FDR was able to just make the grab from the sidewalk with Eleanor’s assistance. I cannot tell a lie -- the prize for FTF is a George Washington! (What, you were expecting a Benjamin?!) Please find and rehide with stealth; you never know when those Confederate spies might be watching!