I started the Johnny Appleseed series about three months ago as I watched my caching karma droop over the years, and felt the need to give back, and explore the local trails in a different perspective. Since those 50 caches were placed, my karma has doubled from 0.35 to over 0.70, so I'm starting round two, sprinkling caches along the trails just a bit farther from home.
Welcome to McClellan Ranch Preserve! This 18-acre preserve was a horse ranch in the 1930s, and has special significance to the Phlopper family as we spent many days here as the kids were growing up, being so close to home. We even filmed some fun videos of them that are still family treasures. Then Phurry Phlopper joined the family, and our attention went elsewhere (cue Charlie Brown "No Dogs Allowed" music).
There evidently is a tradition of Letterbox caches here, including our first ever found cache and a previous one as well. So we figured we should keep up the tradition in this form. There is actually a funny story related to this cache involving our name. We were obviously new to the business and didn't have it all figured out. Since this was our first cache, it being a letterbox, it left us a little confused. First, we realized that everyone had funny names (Gitonyerhorse? MotorBug? The Rat?) So our original name needed to be changed. Next, it appeared we needed a stamp! So we raided our closet when we got home, dug through the girls' stamp collection and found a penguin. OK, we need a funny penguin name. The rest I guess is history.
Here are the instructions for the letterbox. Start at the sundial at the posted coordinates. Note the time marked by the sundial (if weather permits) compared to so-called reality. This photo was taken at 9:40am but says 8:50am. Which one is correct? Perhaps the sundial is not a believer in daylight savings time. Write your observations in your log.
Head to the path in the 6:00am direction. After walking 17 pathway panels you'll reach a trail. Take a right and keep your speed to under 7mph.
Proceed down trail, with the babbling brook on your left. You'll pass a black walnut, and signs numbered 3 and 4.
The trail might be closed for maintenance for certain sections; skirt along the bypass trail to return back to this trail where necessary.
Western Sycamore, the number 6, Black Cottonwood, skirt around again if needed.
Back to the babbling brook at 9, tiny amphitheatre, 11, BSA 75, 12, Poison Hemlock.
Take the left fork, duck under. You're right along the creek now, old gnarly trees, BSA 453 has been busy.
Duck again at bird house ten.
Relax on bench near California Bay Laurel, you're about halfway there. Take the right fork to the local garden.
Pass the garden entry gate, unless you want to visit, you're welcome to. You should now be back on a paved path.
Turning left, take 80 path panels until the path changes again. Bench on your left, 7mph still, another bench on your left. Table on your right. Another table on your right, take the exit there on your left.
On the sandy path, sharp hairpin to the left, but instead escape up to the bench 20 feet away.
Sit on the bench, facing the brook. Remember the Western Sycamore? You're facing one with five splayed fingers. Local dendrologists have tagged it as number 690. The Box you're looking for is at the knobby base of the closest finger, the one with the embedded tag. It is a camo'd ice cream container with log, "stamp", and a few items.
The Box contains a unique "stamp". Feel free to mark the log with your stamp, or sign. Please leave our stamp in the Box. There is room for tradeables.
This place can be overrun with elementary school kids on school days, but is otherwise quite quiet and peaceful. Bring your Muggle Waders just in case.
We hope you enjoyed the letterbox!
Congratulations to Scooter2x2 for the FTF!
Good luck, enjoy the trail, and remember it is good to give back!