Our family has always enjoyed driving along Route 60 between Richmond and Williamsburg. Interstate 64 can get you back and forth more quickly but there's little to see and few things (other than exit signs) to catch your attention. However, while traveling on Route 60 you can chart your progress by using local landmarks like antique shops, campgrounds, general stores, and, of course, the Toe Ink Wayside.
The Toe Ink Wayside was originally created in 1951 when Route 60 was expanded to four lanes and this wayside was wedged into the expanded median that was created. Waysides are relatively unique to the state of Virginia. They are picnicking areas that served as early versions of the rest area in the days before interstates. Waysides date back to at least 1938, when they were listed and shown on the pictorial history map on the reverse of Official State Maps. Although no longer listed, some waysides continue to exist, maintained for public use.
Why Toe Ink? Well, there's a Toe Ink Swamp just south of the wayside but we're not sure where the name originally came from (we've got some good people working to find out). The New Kent Historical Society said that it's derived from an Indian name that has been previously listed as as Toink, Toinque, and Towinques. Anyway, it always makes us smile as we drive by and the last time we went past we thought it would be a great spot for a cache.
For the 'First to Find' prize there is a complete pedicure kit. We also stocked the cache with other toe-related items but feel free to trade anything. Some other items in the cache were:
- Socks
- Foot wash & lotion
- Foot scrub
- Air freshener (shaped like a foot)
- Toe rings
- Toe separators and scrubbers
- Finger soccer game (you can play "football")
- Glowing toe ring and ankle bracelet
- Cushioned shoe insoles
- Foot brush
- Toenail clippers
We also included some trash bags as it appears CITO may be frequently needed to pick up picnic trash that "squirrels" have removed from the proper receptacles.
First to Find: nflagrante on April 18, 2005
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