"In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In_Flanders_Fields"
In Flanders Fields was written in 1915 by John McCrae. It is one of the best known Canadian poems, recited by generations of school children as well as at annual Remembrance Day services. It has elevated the poppy to be a world-wide symbol of remembrance and sacrifice. What is not well known is that the author, John McCrae, was born in Guelph, Ontario.
This virtual cache will introduce you to two locations in Guelph that commemorate the poem and the author. Stage 1 takes you to a large bronze sculpture of McCrae unveiled in 2015 at the Guelph Civic Museum on the 100th anniversary of the publication of the poem. It is entitled Remember Flanders and was created by Canadian sculptor Ruth Abernethy. An identical sculpture is located at the National Artillery Memorial in Ottawa. Stage 2 is the birthplace of John McCrae. This limestone cottage was built in 1858 and has been restored and is now open as a museum. A small memorial garden is adjacent to the house. Guelph Museums has created a map of the life of McCrae
Logging requirement for this virtual cache to confirm that you were there
At Stage 1 (posted coordinates - Waypoint below gives location of the Museum parking lot)
1) Send me an email or text message stating how many bronze poppies are part of the base of the sculpture. Do not include the answer in your log.
2) Take a photo of the view over Guelph from the terrace where the sculpture is located and post it in your log
At Stage 2 (coordinates N 43° 32.162 W 080° 14.680 and in Waypoint below - street parking is available adjacent to the cache site)
3) Send me an email or text message with the words that are carved in the stone memorial directly in front of the bronze open book with "In Flanders Fields" inscribed on it. Do not include the answer in your log.
4) Take a photo of whatever grabs your interest at the house or memorial park and post it in your log (Do not post a photo that gives away the answer to task 3).
Since Stage 2 is in a residential area with houses overlooking the site, please do not attempt this cache at night.
Virtual Rewards 2.0 - 2019/2020
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between June 4, 2019 and June 4, 2020. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards 2.0 on the Geocaching Blog.