This is a two stage geocache with the first stage placing you in front of a unique wooden carving of Christ on the Cross. It is situated North of St.Patrick's Church on Highway 120.
The carving was the work of Joseph Arnold Beeler who is buried in this cemetery. Joseph Beeler was born in Sattel, Switzerland on August 31, 1901, the youngest of 19 (yes, nineteen!) siblings. He came to the United States and went through Ellis Island on June 5, 1918. He traveled to his brother Adolf's place in Tracy with his Swiss accordian in hand. He worked around the Bay area until he saved enough money to purchase a dairy farm in Escalon. He met and married Sophie Schmid and they raised two children, William and Aileen. He operated the ranch until he sold it in 1962; and he and Sophie retired to a cabin in Long Barn.
In retirement, he taught himself to carve, visited relatives in Switzerland and purchased carving tools there. Upon his return, he started his wood carving in earnest, only to be interrupted with snow skiing and fishing in the Sierras. He did numerous carvings of animals from 3 inches to 12 feet tall. Most were bears, but there were even some clowns. Some of his carvings are in the Swiss Hall in Ripon, and others are in private homes and places along Highway 120 above Sonora.
He and Sophie moved to Modesto in 1982 to spend their last years closer to their family and old friends. Both remained active in the Swiss Community and frequently played music with friends, he with his accordian and Sophie playing a piano. Joe Beeler died on October 18, 1998 and Sophie on December 10, 1999. They are buried in a double grave just South of his carving.
May they Rest in Peace.
For the second stage and signing the log (bring your own writing device), first look North of the carving where there is a sign with five numbers on it that are necessary to complete the coordinates below.
To find the nearby cache, go to: N 37 47. ABC / W 121 04.DEF
A is the 4th number; B is the 2nd number minus 7; and C is the 5th number plus the 1st number.
D is the 3rd number minus the 1st number; E is the 3rd number; and F is the 3rd number.
Please be respectful of the Church and Cemetery grounds. St. Patrick's is a very active Parish; and besides a regular mass schedule, there are frequent weddings, funerals, and social functions. Therefore, on occasion, parking is difficult at the final stage, so it might be best to delay that stage for a better time.
Also, since permission has been granted to place this cache on private property, CITO is always appreciated.
Congratulations to Alamogul for the First to Find!