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This cache is really more of an offset cache than a mystery cache, but because the posted coords are not for the cache itself, but for the nearby parking area, I'll designate it as such so as not to confuse anyone. Park, look and log. Note: Park is free on the weekdays, but there is a $5 fee on the weekends (Thanks, Turtle!). Park closes at sunset.
“Come gather ‘round chilluns
And listen to me
‘Cuz I’m gonna tell ya
‘Bout the Jackalope Tree!”
Most people have at least a rudimentary knowledge of the common jackalope, generally regarded as the rarest animal in North America. Scientists agree that it evolved from a cross between a now-extinct small deer and a species of jackrabbit. This hybrid animal, however, is much more than simply a rabbit-like creature with antlers, or, in some cases, horns. Though extremely shy and reclusive, jackalopes developed an unusally high mental capacity that has been measured at many magnitudes of those of certain other crafty creatures (like the raccoon).
Due largely to their high intelligence and curiousity, jackalopes would often follow wagon trains during the famous westward expansion. Most people thought they did this to pick up scraps of food along the way, but this was not the case. What attracted this creature to man was its innate attraction to singing and yodelling. There are numerous first-person accounts from cowboys about jackalopes gathering at the periphery of their campsites just to listen to the singing. Later, once the cowboys were bedded down for the night, they would often hear the jackalopes serenading them with the same songs or yodels they themselves had just completed.
There was another reason that jackalopes would tail the wagon trains, and that was because they loved whiskey and would do almost anything in their power to filch some whenever they could. This aspect of jackalope behavior is their darkest side. We won't dwell on that here.
Bernheim Forest, of course, is known for its wide variety of tree and plant life. Few people know that many years ago the Forest obtained the only mutated jackalope tree stock. It was not an overly successful stock, and most of the seeds that were produced were sterile. The few saplings that survived withered and died after one or two years.
But one sapling managed to hold on. It was carefully guarded at first, and for a long time it led a sheltered existence in one of the nursery areas. After about 15 years it was transferred to the wild. That tree is now old and mature. It grows-- or lives, if you will-- in Guerilla Hollow. During the daylight hours it appears like most other trees, but if you look very closely, you will clearly see jackalope. If you look even more closely, you may even see it smile. That's by day. At night, the Jackalope Tree is reputed to become more like a regular jackalope than a tree. It will actually pull itself out of the ground and move about, but not much any more, since it's now pretty old. Forest workers and others have heard it sing and yodel just like a regular jackalope. In the morning, though, you will always find it right back in the same spot as if nothing had happened. But remember-- if you look closely you just may see it smile.
This cache is located in Bernheim Forest off of the Guerilla Hollow driving loop and consists of a large "whizbang" (screw-top container about the size of a woman's compact). It contains only a log, so please bring a writing instrument. It CAN hold tiny trade items like charms and such, but nothing much larger.
The way to do this cache is to park at the posted coords, then get out of your vehicle and begin walking along the paved Guerilla Hollow driving loop looking for a tree that looks like a jackalope. Depending on which direction you go, the tree will be within about a 350' walk of where you've parked or as much as about 0.3 mile. Once you find the Jackalope Tree, the cache will be about 75' away, sequestered in a "natural" thing appropriate for a cache. That's all there is to it. If you need a hint to find the tree, there's a picture of the Jackalope Tree on this cache page. If you want just a little bit of a challenge, walk around the area and use your imagination. You may want to decrypt the "regular" hint, though, once you find the tree.
I'll admit I have a thing about jackalopes, but I can promise you I don't read them into just any tree. You'll see!
Have fun!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gbjneq gur srapr-- zvqqyr bar bs guerr bs n xvaq.