Potash Lake Multi-Cache
ramapo: Stopped by at lunch and Stage 2 has once again gone missing. It is possible that the container went down one of the big holes in the back (not a place I was about to put my hand, especially with the dozens of flies about). More likely it was recently pilfered.
This one has had a pretty good run but I decided that it is time for archival so I picked up Stage One while I was there.
Thanks to all who have visited and apologies to Thore for the missing final. Potash Lake is always a nice place to visit, cache or no cache.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This short multistager will take you into the midst of what was once a thriving tourist haven around Potash Lake.
Oakland was once a major tourist destination, offering fishing, hunting, swimming, boating, and tranquility through the 1950s.
Across the lake was Sandy Beach and Pleasureland where thousands frolicked in the Ramapo River, and later in pools at Pleasureland. These were just two of the nine resorts that once operated in Oakland along the river. Pleasureland was the last to close, operating until a shooting incident in 1985. Of course, river bathing had ended long before the closing.
Summer bungalows, since converted into year-round homes, lined the river. I have relatives from Brooklyn who used to come stay for the summer as well as an aunt who lived in nearby Hawthorne but had a vacation place in Oakland!
Today, this is a great place for fishing, bird watching and sitting in the sun. The area includes a boat launch and 5-acres of wetlands that were built as part of the Ramapo River flood remediation project.
After you find the cache, spend some time, relax in the sun and watch the birds. I’ve seen some pretty big fish jumping here so if you fish you might want to bring your pole too.
Stage 1 is a small container with the coordinates for Stage 2, which is a small twist-top Tupperware. It is stocked with some small trading items. Don’t bring anything too large. Please be sure both stages are well hidden before leaving it. Stage 1 has disappeared a couple of times.
This isn’t a very busy place but you may run into some interference. The cache is very close to ample parking.
Finding the parking area has proven to be the greatest challenge so I've added a clue for those who become frustrated
During your visit, you'll spot the remains of a couple of large pumps. I believe there was a sand mining operation active here, perhaps as recently as the 1980s. Water was pumped from the lake into the nearby river channels which run on each side of the lake.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[Stage One:] Va ubyr, arkg gb ybt va jbbqf, arkg gb fghzc.
[Parking:] cbvag guerr frira gjb, cbvag svir avar bar
Treasures
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