This is one of 81 puzzle caches created and hidden along the Medicine Bow Rail Trail. Each of the 81 caches has a unique Difficulty/Terrain combination ranging from D1/T1 through D5/T5; hence, putting all 81 jig saw puzzles together and then finding the caches along the rail trail allows you to fill a complete Fizzy Matrix.
Medicine Bow Rail Trail
The rail trail spans a 21-mile section of the original Laramie, Hahn’s Peak and Pacific Railroad which was constructed between 1901 and 1911 and traversed from Laramie, Wyoming to Coalmont, Colorado. The railroad operated for more than 90 years and was the highest elevation standard gauge railroad in the US (the higher portions spanning between 8,770 and 9,030 feet elevation). It operated daily to haul minerals, livestock, coal, and lumber between North Park and Laramie. The rail line was abandoned in 1996 and in 1999 the rails and ties were removed.
The rail trail was constructed over the 21-mile stretch of the old rail bed during the period 2005 to 2007. The trail is accessed via six trailheads; mile markers (showing the original railroad mileage from the northern terminus of the railroad near Laramie) are installed at each mile. It has a hard-packed gravel surface, averaging 10 feet in width. The trail is used for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, and skiing. At the time the 81 caches were hidden, recreational trail use was found to be light. ATVs, snowmobiles, and other motorized vehicles are prohibited. Dogs are allowed if they are under voice control. As a general rule, bikes should not be used until after snow has melted and the trail has dried out--about mid-June.
The Geocache
Click on the highlighted link below the photo to bring up the jig saw puzzle that must be completed in order to obtain the coordinates for this cache. After the final piece is placed, a completion message will appear that gives the location as well as a specific hint. As a general rule, D1 puzzles have between 75 and 125 puzzle pieces; D2 puzzles have between 125 and 175 pieces.....on up to D5 puzzles that generally range between 475 and 525 pieces. Caches rated T1 are handicap-accessible. Certain T5 caches require easy tree climbs.
The theme for the 81 caches is “Geocaching Around the World”. Denali50 and I took the photos during past trips across the US as well as on many trips to various countries around the world. Generally, the GC identifier and name of an actual cache that is reasonably near to the location where the photo was taken, is provided at the end of the text. Because most of our international trips were for finding birds and climbing mountains in years that preceded the advent of geocaching, it is rare that we have actually found the featured cache! Oh, how I wish... But the chosen geocaches are included for your pleasure, should you care to look at them.
I suggest that you create a free account on Jigidi. That way, your work is saved in progress rather than possibly vanishing in the event of a power outage or computer malfunction.
Weddell Seal on pack ice off Paulet Island
https://www.jigidi.com/created.php?id=39d62mpp
The Weddell is a remarkable seal that has the southernmost range of any mammal. It lives on pack ice in the Antarctic/subAntarctic region and dives while hunting to depths as deep as 600 meters below the surface while holding its breath up to 85 minutes! 20-minute dives are more common. They maintain breathing holes through the ice by rasping the holes with their teeth.Approximately 800,000 Weddells are extant and they have an average life span of 30 years. We found them to be unaggressive when we encountered them with our land or Zodiac crusiing adventures.This photo was taken of a gentle, curious seal resting on the pack ice off Paulet Island.
The nearest geocache to Paulet Island where this photo was taken is GC7H9CG, Brown Bluff: Fire Under Ice, an EarthCache. Brown Bluff is a very interesting location, alive with penguins and other birds of the region. It should not be missed if you journey to the Antarctic Peninsula.
Note: I adhere to the geocachers for fair play principles.