Deep in a quiet wooden park, where moss carpets the earth and sunlight dances through the leaves, there lives a gnome in a hidden little house with a geocaching treasure inside. Few wanderers ever notice it but with careful steps and a bit of forest magic, you can find it.
Long ago, this gnome built his house along the quaint Enchanted Trail which is only whispered about in magical story books. To find it, geocachers must choose between two different gravel paths leaving the paved parking lot. One feels warm and welcoming with the scent of moss on the breeze and the sounds of birds chirping. Along with murmuring waters and sun-dappled benches. The other feels narrow and quiet with shadows curling at the edge of the trail. You can just feel the forest creatures waiting to pounce at any moment.
Both gravel paths have many tempting side trails but please stick to the main path until you reach the Enchanted Trail. From the edge of the parking lot to which the posted coords will lead you, step off the pavement and onto the gravel path of your choosing and get ready to count your strides. This is where your adventure begins. You can also use the waypoint to find the start of the Enchanted Trail. A word of caution first, if you hear the whisper of leaves, perhaps it's the forest telling you to turn back. Please keep your visit to daylight hours only as you do not want to be around after dusk. This is when the giants come out to play.
Gravel path to the right:
From where the gravel starts, take 36 strides and you will cross over a culvert where an animal or two may be taking a drink. From here, continue 37 more strides until you reach a bench where the sounds of chirping birds await. Take a rest if you must. An additional 88 strides will lead you to one of the temping side trails. Make sure to stay to the left to find what you seek. After that, 189 more strides will lead you to the beginning of the Enchanted trail.
Gravel path to the left:
From where the gravel starts, 120 strides will lead you to a temping side trail but make sure to stay to the right to complete your goal. From here, continue 34 more strides until you reach an open area with a bench and the sound of chirping birds. Take a rest if you must but remember to stay on the main path to the right. An additional 182 strides will lead you to a massive rootball and downed tree where an angry giant tried to discourage the previous finder from seeking the treasure. Thankfully, they missed. While staying to the right, 37 more strides will lead you to the beginning of the Enchanted Trail.
Enchanted Trail:
HUZZAH! You found the Enchanted trail. From here it's a short distance to the magical gnome house. There are many other houses to explore on this trail but to find the one that you seek, please follow these directions. Leaving the Enchanted Trail sign, take 22 strides to the trail split and go to the right. From here you will take 11 more strides and go to the top of the 4th step. Turn right and go an additonal 4 strides and you will spot the magical gnome house at the base of the tree with the treasure inside. Please lift the entire house up from the roof to reveal the treasure. Don't forget to sign the log. No ink pad needed and please make sure stamp stays in the treasure.
Congrats on a quest well completed. When finished, please return the gnome house over the treasure for others to find. To get back to the parking lot, you can retrace your steps or solve Nature Trails Park to lead the way. Park closes at DUSK so please keep this a daytime find.
Congrats to rakis2 and 2nd1of3 on the CO-FTF