Legend of Great Bear Cache Mystery Cache
Legend of Great Bear Cache
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A MUST SEE !!!!! Read the Legend, see the proof
From the Buckskin Lk parking lot, co-ordinates N44 57.728 W078 11.693, head toward the lake taking the roadway on the left. Just above the boat launch on your left (east) side look for a narrow trail, co-ordinates N44 57.692 W078 11.685. Trail is fairly flat and it is a pleasant 10 min. walk (approx.260 m) to the cache. Watch your footing; pine needles can be slippery especially where there’s flat rock. Roots may try to trip you. Take notice of all the gigantic pines all along the trail and at N44 57.667 W078 11.597 admire the pine on the waters edge, that when blown over refused to give up, and instead is turning its limbs into tree trunks. It will be interesting to see what this tree looks like in 20 years. At N44 57.664 W078 11.577 look for the lightning scar that runs down the entire pine tree. Anyway ......... on to the LEGEND
The Legend of Great Bear
Long, long ago, a gigantic bear known as Great Bear roamed the shores of Buckskin Lake and the surrounding forest. When Great Bear stood on his hind legs he towered over even the magnificent moose, and when he growled the sound whipped across the peaceful waters of Buckskin lake and echoed like thunder off the distant hills. Fortunately, for every ounce of his mass, he had a pound of kindness. This gentle bear was the guardian of the lake and protector of the forest and its inhabitants. This included a small band of natives that dwelled in the bay at the west end of the lake. Great Bear took great pleasure in teaching his friends how to live as one with nature.
One day 2 young boys were practicing their archery. An arrow ricocheted off one of the large pine trees that grew along the north shore and struck Great Bear as he was strolling along the footpath. Great Bear was killed instantly. The whole village was stricken with grief, but they realized that it had been a terrible accident and the young boys were not to blame. So that Great Bear’s death would not be in vain they took his meat for their winter cache and his organs for medicinal needs. The hide they stretched over the flat rock where Gr. Bear had died. The 2 boys placed a single pine cone on top of the fur hide. To honour Great Bear the natives continued to live as Great Bear had taught them, preserving their environment and living in harmony with nature. The pine cone seeded and, over time, the small pine sapling turned into a mighty pine tree with roots that spread out over the entire hide.
Eventually the natives moved on and no one was left who remembered Great Bear and his teachings. Many years later new inhabitants found Buckskin Lake. The lake was opened up to development. Cottages sprung up along its shore and motor boats sped across its crystal blue expanse . Great Bear, now a spirit in the sky, looked down with great concern. How would these newcomers be encouraged to live in harmony with the lake and surrounding forest. Great Bear could not go back to Buckskin Lake but he remembered that his hide was still there. Maybe his coat could become a symbol .... a reminder to anyone who saw it ..... of how important it is to preserve and protect our forest and lakes. Great Bear enlisted the help of his friend the Mighty Wind. While the spirit of Great Bear pushed on the trunk of the towering pine tree that has grown over his hide, the wind whipped at its upper branches. Together they toppled the great pine exposing once again the giant hide of Great Bear.
Word spread of the up-turned tree and all the inhabitants of the lake came to see the gigantic hide. They marveled at the mighty forces that could topple such a huge tree and they realized just how fragile our forest and lakes are. Everyone vowed to protect the lake, preserve the forest and live in harmony with nature.
Great Bear’s hide is a reminder to all of us who find it that we too have an obligation to tread lightly and be respectful of our surroundings.
Now on to the Cache.
When you’re done admiring the gigantic Bear Skin (which is now fallen from a lot of the root) here’s how to find the cache:
1st Measure, in inches, the trunk circumference of the gigantic pine that Great Bear and the Mighty Wind pushed over
2nd Divide this number by 3.14 to determine its diameter. (Drop the decimal points)
3rd Subtract 10
4th ADD this new number to the LAST 2 digits of the Legend of Great Bear Latitude (N) coordinate.
5th and Finally, if the last number of this new 2 digit number doesn’t rhyme with “tree” ...... oops! Change it so it does. This 2 digit number now replaces the last 2 digits of your Latitude (N) coordinate.
Bear with me ..... you’ll be happy to know the longitude number is fine just the way it is.
NOW ! There’s bearly a moment to lose........Go for it !!! These new co-ordinates will lead you right to the cache which is a tube shaped plastic container. Please put it back the way you found it. Original contents were: cute little bears ....... and bear bells to ward off the bears that aren’t so cute and little.
As you’ve probably guessed by now you’ll need to bring along a tape measure(make sure it measures in inches) and a calculator if your math is a little rusty.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Yrtraq bs Terng Orne Uvag: Oenapu bhg. Tb bhg ba n yvzo. Ernpu sbe gur gbc (naq V qba’g zrna gur gbc bs Terng Orne’f uvqr ..... gung jbhyq whfg or sbbyvfu naq cebonoyl n yvggyr qnatrebhf)
Treasures
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