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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache is for those voyaging on the Shenandoah by canoe or kayak. Both sides of the river are bounded for quite a distance by private property, so the cache is not available by foot. Besides, it is hidden on an island. That said, it is not too hard to find the cache once you arrive on the island.
The 4.5 Terrain Rating is because it is accessable only by canoe or kayak.
The 2 Difficulty Rating is for the debris to navigate once you get to the island.
This cache belongs to a long-time water bug. Fingerling (which is a baby fish, just hatched) has been canoeing the Shenandoah (both forks, actually, and the Potomac and the Cheseapeake Bay) for decades. As his first cache, he decided to put it somewhere that only other water bugs would be able to get to it.
The 4.5 is for the difficulty a regular person would have in getting to the cache; for water bugs this would be about a 1.5 for the scramble over the brush.
PS Don't take the back channel - the eastern/right-most channel: you will do a LOT of wading.
Water bugs new to the area can do this as a part of a great trip or float through the New Market Battlefield area, through fields that have been under cultivation for well over two centuries. Launch/take out points are listed below for your convenience.
This area was settled in the early 1700's by Pennsylvania Dutch. Actually, they were mostly Swiss followers of Menno Simons who were considered "radical reformers" by the Zwingli and his followers, and religious persecution (this time by the Protestants) ensued. Eventually the Germans/Lutherns of the Rhine River region pursuaded the Mennonites to move Germany and enjoy religious freedom. However, the minority of Mennonites eventually became a majority, and the Lutherns became uncomfortable, and again religious persecution (again by the Protestants) ensued. Evetually they heard about the religious freedoms to be found in Pennsylvania and many settled in the Lancaster region, but as emmigration continued (well, immigration to those in Lancaster and the surrounding areas) and families grew, the good farmers, doctors, smiths and other craftsmen moved southeast to the Potomac, across, and into the lower and central Shenandoah Valley. (The Shenandoah flows north, so "down" to locals is north, while "up the valley" is south towards the higher elevations.) Some of the Mennonites became converts to the Old Order or Amish, and they still play a prominent role in the Dayton area, while the rest of the valley is predominately Mennonite (or Dunkard, for their form of baptism by total immersion, also known as Brethern), with some Luthern churches scattered throughout the region. The industry, organization and productive farms maintained by these German/Swiss immigrants made the Shenandoah Valley famous as the "Bread Basket of the Confederacy".
Launch in Timberville's community park (closed at dark, so be careful of your shuttle): N38.635243, W78.780459
Launch in New Market (park at these coordinates; launch on the south/left side of the bridge): N38.651416, W78.697289
Take out at Shenandoah Caverns exit (park at these coordinates; go through the gates through cow field to the launch area - or visa versa since you are taking out. The gates close automatically behind you, but careful visitors always make sure the cows stay in the field): N38.706996, W78.650254
Take out at Meems Bottom Bridge - a much better take out point: picturesque, of course, and also the site for a scene in "Kingpin", but most importantly, the site for Heron at Dawn (GCHMYW) cache, and just around the corner from Meem's Bottom Covered Bridge (GCJT3W) virtual cache. Park at these coordinates, take out under the bridge: N38.720692, W78.654588.
While you're in the areas, stop by Shenandoah Caverns' picnic area and check out Goat Hoof Trellis Letterbox (GCHMZM).
For spouses or other family members who are not water bugs and need a place to hang out with small children for the 3-6 hours this trip takes, the Mount Jackson Community Park is a great park. And K.C.'s Anchor's Away Letterbox Hybrid (GCMTGJ) cache is there waiting for you.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Zvqqyr bs gur vfynaq punvarq gb n fuehool gerr