This is a two part multi-stage that will give you several good views of the James while you hunt as well as an introduction to one of the spiral staircases found in a few of the James River Parks. Park at the 42nd Street entrance to the parks (at the intersection of 42nd Street and Riverside Drive).
If you're tired of digging around for micros for first stages, this might be the cache for you! You'll have to think a little unorthodoxly to find the first stage, but once you do, it's pretty hard to overlook it. We can't take credit for it--we got the idea from a cache by nctreker, a master cacher from the Raleigh/Durham area.
The second stage requires a bit of rock-hopping, but there's at least one route that appears to be accessible through all but the highest of high water. Parents of small children should take this into account before attempting the cache. Older kids should have no problem with a little adult supervision (and maybe help in a spot or two!). The second stage is a camoflauged ammo can. It's hidden in an obvious spot, but there are a _lot_ of obvious ones in that area, so you may want to keep the hint handy just in case.
This part of the park sees more traffic than you might imagine as a nearby beach serves as a launch point for rafting trips. Please carefully replace both stages as you found them to preserve them from accidental discovery!
In the same general area you'll also find Upper Buttermilk and Time To Go Fishing, both by BikeAnPaddleBunch.
First To Find: TeacherMatt 06/19/04.