You might be asking yourselves, what reason could there possibly be to hide a geocache at a gas station? Well, usually, there isn't much reason for that, but this time it's an exceptional case. At this gas station, you'll find a particularly rare device in Israel. So, what is it? An oil pump.
What is an Oil Pump?
An oil pump is a mechanical device used to extract crude oil from underground wells. It consists of a rocking arm connected to a system of rods and a pump located deep in the well. The arm's motion creates a repetitive pumping action that brings the oil to the surface. These devices are especially common in areas where underground pressure isn't sufficient to push the oil upward naturally. The pump is strongly associated with traditional oil fields and is considered one of the most iconic symbols of the oil industry.
How Did the Oil Pump End Up Here?
That's a great question without a clear or definitive answer. From the limited information I could find online, it seems this pump was once owned by an Israeli oil exploration company called Lapidot. It's unclear whether this information is accurate, and if it is, when and where exactly the pump was in use, or how it ended up at this gas station.
Why Hide a Cache Here?
In any case, such a pump, especially outside of an oil field, is a rare sight in Israel and worth a stop and a geocache. The station with the pump is not only an interesting spot but also a small reminder of Israel's history of oil exploration.