The Nathaniel Trail consists of 17 caches. Because all 17 are part of the geoart, please don't forget to do your homework before setting out to find these caches. For 14 of them, you'll need to enter a simple solution into Certitude in order to receive the actual coordinates for those hides. To find caches 15-17, you'll need to carefully collect information from each of the 14 caches. Some of the trails are used by equestrians, so be prepared to yield to riders. And please pay attention to hunting regulations and schedules. Wearing international orange is never a bad idea. I've never seen one in Carroll County, but a bear was sighted in this area in December 2018, and others have been reported in backyards in Carroll recently. So be careful as you hike these woods. I strongly urge you to solve all the little puzzles BEFORE you head for the trails. All 17 caches could be found in a couple or three hours and three or four miles of relatively easy walking. If you love birds, remember your binocular. And if you don't love ticks, remember your Deet or chemical of choice. As you cache, may you find joy and peace.
MuggleMom, PhosDad, Nathaniel (Photo by JAF)
Nathaniel was born with spina bifida (still among the top four of the most common birth defects), which in his case meant paralysis from about mid-rib down. Though he tried bravely to get the hang of reciprocating leg braces, it just wasn't to be, so his means of getting around was to be carried or, later, to use a wheelchair. For a few months he lived with his two brothers, his mother, and me in the state where I attended graduate school and Chief Illiniwek was best known. To describe the center of one of the areas between the 35- and 40-yard lines of the Chief's favorite places to perform, WHAT THREE WORDS might you use? (Hints: 1402 S. 1st St will get you close, and v.c.f will get you to your target.) Enter those three words without punctuation or spaces into Certitude to receive the coordinates for this cache.
You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.