GCNPFE Oak Garden Memorial Cache (Traditional Cache) in California, United States created by bitmap

This cache has been archived.

Marko Ramius: The cache owner is not responding to issues with this geocache, so I must regretfully archive it.

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Marko Ramius
Volunteer Cache Reviewer

GCNPFE ▼

A cache by bitmap Message this owner

Hidden : 4/29/2005

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Dedicated to Cara Knott and other victims of senseless violence...

On the evening of December 27th in 1986, Cara Knott, a 20 year old San Diego State student, was driving home to El Cajon after spending the day caring for her flu-stricken boyfriend at his Escondido home. While traveling on the I-15 south near Poway, Cara Knott was pulled over in a traffic stop by the California Highway Patrol. Commanded by the CHP officer, she drove her VW bug down the dark and deserted Mercy Road off ramp, at that time a rarely used dirt road (before Scripps Poway Parkway), and parked near the southern portion of the old I-395 bridge that still stands unused today. A few hours later when she failed to come home, her family began a frantic search that ended when her battered body was found underneath the bridge the next morning. CHP officer Craig Peyer was convicted in 1988 of Cara's murder and is still serving his 25 year-to life sentence.

For those that were living in San Diego at that time, you might recall how Cara's story permeated the airwaves for the next few years, transforming our city. It was truly a defining time for San Diego. Today, the I-15 bridge just south of Poway is called the Cara Knott memorial bridge, and the access road to the water treatment station below is called Cara Way in her memory.

Sam Knott, Cara's father, was rightfully obsessed with his daughters murder and worked tirelessly for the rest of his life to make a difference. For more than a decade, Knott lobbied state, county and local officials to create an officer-tracking device as well as a larger, statewide radio communication system. At Knott's urging in 1999, the county Board of Supervisors agreed to spend $4.4 million to add the computers to patrol cars so officers had access to remote databases and supervisors had a way to track officers. Knott also worked for victims' rights, developing a handbook for crime victims and their families so they wouldn't feel so lost during their traumatic times.

One of Sam's proudest achievements was the construction of a victim's memorial park near the site where Cara was found. In 1996, The Cara Knott Memorial Oak Garden (now called the San Diego Crime Victims Oak Garden) was dedicated. In 1999, 400 seedlings raised by Sam from acorns were planted by volunteers on its 60 acres. Although tucked away alongside the noisy I-15, it is a surprisingly peaceful spot where many victims of violent crime are remembered through the growing oaks. Framed pictures, bronze name plates and silk flowers decorate some trees. Ironically, in 2000, Sam passed away from a heart attack in his car parked along Cara Way, shortly after picking up trash in the garden he created.

Primary access is via Cara Way, a small road accessable only from westbound Scripps Poway Parkway, in between the entrance to the Chili's parking lot and the I-15 northbound on ramp.

I drove down Cara Way, and parked just before the treatment station, across from a bench. There really isn't a good place to park in the area, but I don't think anybody will complain if you do the same (of course at your own risk). There are cameras at the treatment plant entrance, so I'd avoid that, and be prepared for at least a 7 point u-turn to head back up the road. You can also park by the Chili's and walk it too, if you'd like.

The cache container is a small tupperware-ish container, hidden in an area that doesn't require bushwacking or possible damage to any of the memorials placed nearby. You don't have to disturb any of the rockwalls either. If you happen to see any trash along the way, I'd appreciate it if you could help keep the area clean. Thank You.

1/31/08 Update:
From today's Union Tribune, Former CHP officer Craig Peyer, convicted of murdering 20-year-old college student Cara Knott, was denied parole Thursday during a hearing at a state prison. He will be eligible for parole again in 2012. In 2003, Peyer declined an offer from San Diego prosecutors to provide a sample of his DNA so it could be compared to blood evidence found at the crime scene to possibly exonerate him from the crime.

1/16/10 Update:
I found a tribute video on youtube today about this location: (visit link)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre gur sybbe, fbhgu fvqr bs gur tnmrob

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)

This cache has been archived.

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Oak Garden Memorial Cache Traditional Cache

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