Myakka Magic Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This fun cache is located within the boundaries of Myakka State Park. The park is situated in Manatee and Sarasota counties. The terrain is flat, but patches of poison ivy and lots of palmettos jack the difficulty up a bit.
Based upon recent comments made by those who found my little hide, I replaced the container so it should now be good and dry for a bit longer.
(updated 3/9/11)
Myakka State Park is open year-round and is a beautiful example of the "real Florida." Begin your journey at the trailhead just west of the bridge crossing Clay Gully at the northern end of the park. The north gate is open only on weekends and on national holidays. All other times, one must use the southern gate and traverse the length of the park to reach the starting point. The cost is $6.00 per carload.
(Note: There are other, shorter means to access this cache. The directions that follow are intended to give the geocacher an interesting and picturesque journey through typical 'Old Florida terrain.)
Head in a generally south-southeasterly direction on the poorly maintained trail that follows along the banks of the gulley. Be careful near the drop-offs and watch for poison ivy just off the path. Approximately one-half mile from the start, check your GPS and look for several wild orchid plants hanging from tree limbs at N 27°17.17; W 82°14.56. These orchids are protected, so take pictures only.
Continue following the blazed trail until you come to a split. The split will be identified by a double-blazed tree. At this point, you must make a decision... continue south... or take the turn to the west. Make the right decision and within about 10 minutes of steady walking you will come to a shady area of hardwoods marked by the existence of several large (about 8 foot diameter) concrete rings set in the ground. (Note: Be sure to stop by the ranger station at the south end and ask about the purpose of the rings.)
The treasure is located about 100 feet off the trail and is partially exposed. Search low and be firmly "rooted" in your desire to find the cache. The container is a Nalgene water bottle currently containing little other than a notepad and pencil for recording your visit. Feel free to add items as you see fit. Travel bugs encouraged.
(updated 1/31/10)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Sbe gubfr jub ner ba n gvtug fpurqhyr naq qba'g unir gvzr gb rkcyber naq rawbl gur fpravp uvxr qrfpevorq nobir, fgneg lbhe dhrfg n ovg shegure jrfg ng gur Sbk'f Uvtu Ebnq genvyurnq.
(hcqngrq 1/31/10)