Cabarrus County Rocky River Thread Trail
Note: Parking for these hides may be found along Rocky River Road near the bridge over Rocky River, or along the street into The Mills development.
Extra Caution: When these caches were hidden, Rocky River level was around 11 feet. The river was flowing fast and "angry." A couple feet higher and the trail is underwater in places. When wet or damp, the trail is very slippery in spots, and you could easily slide down the bank into the water. It was about 8 feet higher only 12 hours earlier. It can go up even faster. Words to the wise: Turn around, don't drown. If in doubt, go uphill away from the river.
Gage, Rocky River above Irish Buffalo Creek:
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/nc/nwis/uv/?site_no=0212433550&PARAmeter_cd=00065
This one requires a stop at a very old cemetery to gather a little information on the way to the trail. If you're not comfortable parking at the pullout near the parking coordinates, you can probably park up the street at the Presbyterian church and walk a hundred yards or so along Rocky River Road.
Remember, remember, the 9th of May (1771)
The Gunpowder Treason and plot;
I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot.
"Black" Boys, "Black" Boys
'Twas their intent
To blow up two wagons of powder.
Disguised as Indians, with blackened skins,
Nine men of Cabarrus, covered in soot by the blast
aided Regulators in a brief victory
at the Battle of Alamance.
https://www.ncpedia.org/cabarrus-black-boys
https://www.ncdcr.gov/blog/2016/05/09/gunpowder-raid-by-black-boys-of-cabarrus
https://northcarolinagenealogy.org/cabarrus/black_boys.htm
At least one participant or "Cabarrus Black Boy," William White Jr. (1751-1794), is buried here.
Also, at least a few who lived in the 1700s and 1800s to ages in their 70s, 80s or even late 90s are buried here.
The story of Archibald Jackson White's (1718-1800) brother's family being nearly all wiped out by "a roving band of Indians" in 1764 is a poignant reminder of the dangers for early settlers.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17205283/william-white
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73162046/archibald-jackson-white
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2146470/memorial-search
To find GZ, find the monument to "These Forebears" who lived near this cemetery, and note when the monument was placed, D, and how many yards away they lived, Y. Then:
N 35 18.[1000-Y/5-2] W 080 35.[D-1613]