Road to Hell Traditional Cache
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Size: 
(regular)
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Feeling brave? Follow this ghostly road to Hell to discover the famed Fiddler's Green of soldier folklore.
Many years ago when the boys were very young we camped at the Lava Beds National Monument. Our campfire host told a bloody tale of ghosts over at Fiddlers Green, and as occasionally happens this story has lodged and finally led to a daylight visit.
A friend who grew up in the area knew of the legend as well. - A pioneer woman who was said to have lived there was killed by thieves while her husband was away. They threw her body down the well that is still there. At night you can see her apparition walking along the shore of the lake with a lantern. Also, you can hear her playing her fiddle faintly in the night wind.
We left before sunset.
Fiddler's Green has a long military tradition as well, and is more likely the origin of this place name. The presence of the cavalry at the nearby Modoc wars and the eerie likeness of the place to the legend description were almost unnerving. Here is the description as attributed to the 1923 cavalry handbook.
Halfway down the trail to hell
In a shady meadow green,
Are the souls of all dead troopers camped
Near a good old-time canteen
And this eternal resting place
Is known as Fiddler's Green.
Marching past, straight through to hell,
The infantry are seen,
Accompanied by the Engineers,
Artillery and Marine,
For none but the shades of Cavalrymen
Dismount at Fiddlers' Green.
Though some go curving down the trail
To seek a warmer scene,
No trooper ever gets to Hell
Ere he's emptied his canteen,
And so rides back to drink again
With friends at Fiddlers' Green.
And so when man and horse go down
Beneath a saber keen,
Or in a roaring charge or fierce melee
You stop a bullet clean,
And the hostiles come to get your scalp,
Just empty your canteen,
And put your pistol to your head
And go to Fiddlers' Green.
And so, we have left a couple of bottled waters to assure a delayed trip for our friends. If you take one you better leave one! The ammo box also has a few traditional trade items as well, along with Mrs. K's FTF pin. This is isolated lonely country, and we do not recommend low clearance vehicles. 2wd impaired cachers will face a 2 1/2 mile hike, and skillful drivers will find this to be a drive up. WE made it to within a quarter mile before stopping at an intimidating mud hole. I'd walk in wet conditions.
The nearby Clear Lake Wildlife Refuge is not open to public use, and artifact gathering is prohibited by law. Enjoy the trip, we did!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ebpx jnyy, gra srrg rnfg bs bayl gerr.