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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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The cache is a 50-caliber ammo box located off Highway 329 a couple hundred yards from the north- and south-bound ramps of I-71. Park within 75 yards of the cache at the Park & TARC at 38*20.578,085*29.453.
In the last year or so, I've picked up and advanced scores of travel bugs. I've had a blast with these guys, showing them around Louisville, taking them hiking, going out to dinner and movies, introducing them to friends, etc., etc. I've got scrapbooks full of pictures of the many travel bug friends I've made along the way. These friendships will last forever.
But the life of a travel bug is not all fun and games. It can get pretty hairy at times. I learned firsthand what some of the challenges facing travel bugs can be when I was out drinking with "Single Red Monkey," a neat guy I plucked from a cache outside of Pittsburgh back in November. We were throwing down margaritas at a local watering hole when he turned to me and said, "You know, I appreciate your showing me around like this, but I don't think you understand how tough it is to be a travel bug."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"What I mean is this-- you guys who visit a cache and move us along are doing us a favor, no question about that. But from our perspective, it's damned if we move and damned if we don't move. If we've been stuck in a cache for a long time, we really start getting cabin fever, not to mention claustrophobia. It can be awful. Let me tell you, it's literally a breath of fresh air when somebody finally comes along and opens that cache container. But what if we're not picked up? That happens a lot, and I'll tell you right now that that's a humiliating, degrading experience. The flip side is when we are picked up, quite often it's by someone who neglects us, or abuses us in some way, or even loses us. We never know what to expect. The whole experience can be psychologically damaging. Drug use among TB's is very high."
Single Red Monkey went on to describe specific situations perpetrated upon him that literally brought tears to my eyes. True, the margaritas may have helped the process, but what he told me was a real eye opener. When I asked him what we could do to help, he said that the most important thing we could do is allow TB's a chance to unwind and settle down. "You don't need to give us the key to every city," he said. "Sometimes the best thing you can do is just let us relax and get some R&R. I know that's tough, but if you really want to know, that's what we need the most. I don't think we're any different from you in that regard."
A couple weeks after picking up Single Red Monkey, I bid adieu to my friend, placing him in a local cache. He’s gone now, but his advice sticks with me to this very day. Consequently, I have elected to construct a different type of travel bug "hotel." This one, Travel Bug Hot Tub, is a fully equipped spa with all the amenities. If TB's can't relax here, they can't relax anywhere. I dedicate this cache to all the travel bugs everywhere who simply want to get out of the ratrace every once in a while. I think it's high time we recognize the difficult and complex lives they lead.
For this travel bug "hotel," there's no requirement for taking or leaving TB's. You can take as many or as few as you like without having to leave any. If you like, you don't have to take any and can just log in as a visitor. Also, you may want to go to the check-in desk and sign in as a visitor to join some of our friends while they cavort in a hot tub or bask in a sauna. I think you'll see a completely different side to them. In addition, you're likely to walk away feeling pretty mellow yourself.
Have fun, and if you happen to cross paths with Single Red Monkey, tell him "Hi" from me and that I appreciate his candor while he was my guest.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Jurer jbbq zrrgf ebpx.