Welcome to the Visit Conroe Texas GeoTour.
Download and print your GeoTour passport and don't forget to get the code letter in each cache, complete the passport, and turn in for a commemorative coin. You may also pickup a copy of the passport at the Visit Conroe office address listed below.
Whatever time of year brings you to the area, there are numerous activities to enjoy. Get your
Visit Conroe Visitors Guide here.
Now for the Cache:
This geocache was placed with the permission and assistance of Conroe Memorial Park cemetery.
The posted coordinates bring you to the armillary sphere pictured at left in Conroe Memorial Park.
At the posted coordinates, you will make a projection of 449 feet. To determine the bearing for this projection, add 9.5° to the bearing of the arrow in the armillary sphere. If making a projection is unfamiliar, you can walk the 449 feet in the direction of the arrow and you will be about 75 feet away. You should be able to find the following easily.
At the projected coordinates, you will arrive at the headstone of David Phillip Vetter. That name may not be readily familiar, but to some, you might remember the story of "the boy in the bubble" from the 1970s and early '80s. David had severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) and lived the 12 years of his life inside a sterile plastic bubble; the bubble was the only treatment option available at the time.
The inscription reads, "HE NEVER TOUCHED THE WORLD BUT THE WORLD WAS TOUCHED BY HIM."
When David was 6, NASA constructed a special spacesuit that enabled David to leave the bubble and walk around.
More information regarding the story of David the Bubble Boy can be found here.
From David's gallant life and death, many children born with SCID have since been diagnosed and treated early and lead healthy lives.
David had an older brother that unfortunately also died of SCID in 1970. David Phillip and David Joseph, III are buried next to each other. Perhaps this would be a good moment to reflect on all the blessings we have.
For final coordinates to the cache container, you will need to find the headstone for a lady named Mary located on the next row west (away from the hedges) of the Vetter headstones. Note the year in which Mary passed.
The final coordinates to find the geocache container are:
N30 17.xxx
W095 25.yyy
xxx = (year of death of Mary) minus 1,365
yyy = (year of death of Mary) minus 1,274
Note: Use all four digits for the year of death.
Before heading off to the final, take another few minutes to visit the veteran's section of the cemetery - you can see the flags just to the east from the young Vetter's resting place.
Redeem Completed Passport:
Please email a picture of your completed passport to visitconroegeotour@gmail.com to receive your Conroe Geocoin!
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