This cache hunt is unashamedly, and unabashedly, based on Black Mountain Ramble, by Wanderlust and Laughing Moon. If you are ever in the mountains of western North Carolina, make sure to do that one; we guarantee you won’t be disappointed. If Occoquan Ramble turns out to be half as fun, we will consider it a great success.
In this cache hunt, you will explore the charming, historic, bustling and walkable town of Occoquan, Virginia, while gathering clues to cache coordinates. While there, be sure to enjoy the town's many quaint shops, galleries, and restaurants. Occoquan traces its history back to 1736, and many of its older buildings still stand today, despite a devastating fire in the early twentieth century.
You will need to print this cache report, and record the answers to the clues to find the final coordinates of the cache. The cache itself is a medium ammo box, located in the woods just outside of the historic district. Because of the steep terrain enroute to the final cache, this hunt may not be suitable for younger children. Although there are multiple stops, the distances involved are very short, and you should be able to complete the entire hunt in about 60 minutes, unless you want to take longer to explore.
Note: The town of Occoquan has special significance to The CacheRats, as Mr. and Mrs. CacheRat were married there some nineteen years ago on a beautiful Friday evening in November, where we had the whole town for the exclusive use of the wedding party. However, during the day, and especially on weekends, expect to see lots of folks strolling around town.
The final coordinates of the cache are:
N 38° 4__.__ __ __'
W 077° 1__.__ __ __'
Here we go!
(1) Park in the free lot at N 38° 41.055' W 077° 15.718', or as close to that point as possible. At the back of the parking lot is a driveway to a mansion built by industrialist and mill owner John Ballendine. Construction of his mill and mansion were a driving force behind the development of Occoquan. Find the year this mansion was established. Place the last digit of the year in the last blank space of Longitude West. (If the sign is down, don't worry, there's another on the other side of the mansion. We'll be there in a minute.)
(2) Exit the parking lot on foot by the street, and walk towards the river. Turn left on Mill Street and walk on the river side of the street. You will pass an ironwork gate with lion's head knockers. Count the number of lion's heads. Subtract 2 from that number and place your answer in the first blank space of Latitude North.
(3) Continue in the same direction on Mill Street. The stone building that is now the Town Museum was the mill office, and is all that remains of the original mill. The rest was destroyed by fire. According to the plaque in front of the building, in what year did the mill burn? Take the last digit of the year and place it in the last blank space of Latitude North. Looking across the street here you get a better view of the mansion on the hill.
(4) Continuing on Mill Street, the road becomes a paved path and crosses the river, on a footbridge, into Fairfax County. At the far end of the bridge, a four-digit number is stenciled on the bridge woodwork. Add those four digits together, and put your answer in the third blank space of Longitude West. There's not much to see over here, so return to town and backtrack on the same side of Mill Street.
(5) Take a stroll down the commercial part of Mill Street. In Occoquan, "Every alley is full of shops." Notice the many shops to your left, and take a quick detour to the shop entrance at the lighthouse. Just beyond the lighthouse, on the river side of the same building, climb the wooden steps leading to an upper entrance. Count your steps up to the top, and place your answer in the second blank space of Longitude West.
(6) Continue on Mill Street to Washington Street. You are now in front of a little park - a good place to have a picnic or feed the ducks from the deck. An iron fence supported by brick fence posts with round concrete toppers fronts the park. How many of these sturdy brick fence posts do you see? Place your answer in the second blank space of Latitude North. (Note: At any given time, some fence sections and/or round toppers may be missing. Count the posts.)
(7) Cross over to 206 Mill Street. Behind this house is a courtyard with a popular, local eat in/take out establishment. If open, you may want to stop in for a delicious sandwich or Italian soda. The courtyard contains picnic tables. How many? Put the number in the third blank space of Latitude North.
(8) Exit the courtyard by the ice cream and fudge shop. Cross the street and proceed up Poplar Alley to the Poplar Alley Apartments next to Town Hall. (Are you looking at the right apartments?) Count the number of apartments here in one of Occoquan's "high density" housing complexes and place your answer in the first blank space of Longitude West. Your parking spot is just across Elliott Street on the left.
The cache is not far from here, but you will need to drive, because it's not safe to walk along the side of the road. Follow your GPSr out of town on the double-striped road for about a quarter mile, to a pull-off on the left side. Enter the woods near here. You may find an easier entrance about 100 feet back towards town. If you decide to walk the road here, be very careful, watch for cars, and walk on the side that you parked. However you access the hill, the initial slopes are steep, so be careful and take your time. Once on the hill, it is fairly easy going, but there are no paths.
You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.
When we wrote the original coded hint, it said, "In the root crater of a tree fallen across the stream." Nine years later, the cache is still in the same place, but the 100 foot tall tree is nowhere to be found anymore. Amazing what nature can do.