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HC#3--"Turtle R.I.P." Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Lumberjack Tom: Today I visited these caches with the intention of checking all of them, but specifically HC#2 (for maintenance) and HC#5 (to replace the micro, which was, as suspected, missing, with a "small" container). Upon entering the access road I was surprised to see a number of new signs that had been placed since my last visit. There were two kinds: "No Dumping" and "Private Property." When I pulled into the pumping plant there was an MSD employee there and I asked him about the private property signs. He told me that the area had "always" been private property, but that there had never been any serious notification until the ATV traffic had begun to get out of control. The new signs were posted in response to that. That was when I made up my mind to go ahead and archive this series of caches. I don't want visitors to feel as awkward as I did when I encountered those signs. So instead of doing some repair and replacement, I left my materials in the car and instead used my backpack to pick up the four remaining caches. I am also happy to report that almost all the ATV trails that had been so noticeable during my last visit are almost entirely grown over. It looks like the signs, and perhaps some other measures, are having a positive effect. This series was fun, but I think it's time to put it on the shelf.

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Hidden : 5/4/2005
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


The area you are visiting is in the Harrods Creek area. Its natural beauty will amaze you, even if you will discover a few CITO opportunities. You will discover that parts of this area back up to residential areas, but it has the look and feel of a “wild place.” Fortunately, ATV’s have not torn the entire place up. I found only one consistent ATV trail from beginning to end, whereas numerous deer/foot paths intertwine with each other throughout the entire area. In this series of five caches you will never be more than 50’-75’ from an established trail of some sort, although finding that trail to get you near the cache may be another story.

You will no doubt see wildlife during your visit. There are a lot of deer in this area, and birdlife of all kinds appears rampant. There is also great variety in the plant life, some of which is very lush.

If you choose to do all five caches in this series, figure a total hike of about one and one-half miles out and back. There are no major hills, but there are some slopes you will have to negotiate. Dress accordingly.

This cache is a "re-make" of one of Turtle's "Offspring" caches that I placed off of River Road ("River Quest"). It was subsequently washed away by flooding. Never heard from the little guy again, but it's rumored he may have surfaced in Louisiana.

Also, this particular site is noteworthy (and may have some cosmic Arthurian significance) since this is where I ended up after doing the puzzle found at Geode Hunters' second stage cache for his "Holy Grail" series. Although these coords are not the sanctioned "shortest path," I know for a fact that they really are. Had I not made that supposed mistake, this beautiful piece of topography would still me a mystery to me-- and probably you as well.

The cache container is a camoed 40oz. Jif peanut butter jar. (You're right, SherpaRon: I eat a lot of this stuff, too.) It contains a bunch of small turtles and is situated in a very serene area you should enjoy. Lots of good hidey holes here!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

(1) Vg jbhyq gnxr dhvgr n sybbq gb jnfu guvf thl njnl. (2) Svffher.

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)