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About this cache: Welcome to Illinois - the
Land of Lincoln! If you follow the Lincoln Heritage Trail to its
end, you will find yourself in picturesque Cave-in-Rock Illinois,
where you will be able to begin your search for the cache. The
cache is located in Cave-in-Rock state park along a less-traveled
footpath at the base of the cliffs/bluffs. There are stone stairs
from the parking and picnicking areas down to the level of the main
cave and the footpath to the cache. While you are walking along the
footpath, enjoy the beautiful views along the Ohio - but please
take care to also watch your step! The footpath wanders over many
stones that have fallen from the cliff face; a cacher who does not
watch their feet will likely trip and fall. Parents of young
children should be especially careful while walking near the edges
at the top of the bluffs/cliffs.
Cache details: The cache is a large lock-n-lock style container
(5"x5"x10") filled with a variety of swag. According to Illinois
DNR policies, it is the responsibility of visitors to orient
themselves with policies and rules pertaining to this Department
managed site. Please do NOT place any of the following into the
cache: Food items and/or inappropriate, offensive, or hazardous
materials. Given the possibility of muggles, please rehide the
cache as found.
Cave-in-Rock was first discovered by a French explorer in 1729.
Following the Revolutionary War, the large cavern formed the ideal
hideaway for outlaws, bandits and river pirates who preyed on the
travelers on the Ohio River. The cave served as the background in
the movie “How The West Was Won” in a scene portraying ruthless
bandits using the cave to lure unsuspecting travelers to an
untimely end. Illinois historian John W. Allen had this to say
about the park: “Today only the natural beauty of the historic spot
remains, clothed in mystery. In the hollow silence of the cave that
echoes the peaceful cooing of doves, a visitor can let a vivid
imagination run riot. But he can dream little that will be beyond
what actually happened.”
Cave in Rock is a 200+ acre state park along the banks of the
Ohio River in southeastern Illinois. It features two hiking trails,
tent and RV camping facilities, lodges and cabins, a small
playground for children, and a restaurant. The Ohio River provides
access for boating and fishing, and the park has a marina for
larger craft. It also has picnic areas and shelters for larger
groups. Admission is free to the park itself (but there are fees
for camping, lodging, and the like). It is located in Cave in Rock,
IL, a town with a population of roughly 300, located at the
terminus of IL-1, the southern branch of the "Lincoln Heritage
Trail." Cave-in-Rock has small boutiques and restaurants, and a
marker noting where Lewis and Clark passed through on their journey
west. The Cave-in-Rock ferry shuttles cars and pedestrians across
the Ohio River to Kentucky and back.
When most Americans think of Illinois, we think of Chicago and
Abe Lincoln. Many cachers might also think of the BOB series of
caches or the APE cache near the Chicago area. One goal with this
cache was to encourage cachers to explore other areas of the state
- particularly some of the scenic and beautiful areas in the
southern portions of the state. Come, find this cache, and make
sure to walk into the cave itself, to see what has amazed explorers
for centuries. While you are in southeastern Illinois, we encourage
you to explore the neighboring Shawnee National Forest (and its
caches!) including the awe-inspiring "Garden of the Gods". You can
head southwest from here, and enter "Little Egypt" Illinois, where
the original settlers would travel to find grains and other foods
in the bounty provided along the banks of the Ohio and the
Mississippi. Or, take one of the ferries across the Ohio River and
explore the neighboring sections of Kentucky.
This cache has been placed with permission by the park manager
(Mike) at Cave-in-Rock State Park. The park closes at 10 pm (unless
you are camping or lodging overnight). Please do not attempt this
cache after hours, and be careful during hours if it is dark out.
Please be particularly careful if the river is nearing flood stages
as you will be walking within 25 feet of the river most of the way.
If you have any questions about this cache, please feel free to
contact me or the park (618-289-4325). If you are traveling a long
distance to this cache, please do not hesitate to contact me before
coming - I will happily check on the cache before your trip to
ensure you have something to find! |
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Logging Requirements: Enjoy this cache as you
would any other. If you are searching this cache as a participant
in the Cache Across America series, please post a photo of yourself
or a member of your group with the cache in your online log. If you
for some reason are unable to meet the photo requirement, please
make alternate arrangements to verify your find with the individual
cache owner. There is no photo requirement for non-challenge
participants.
Individual verification of all 50 state finds will be required
before logging the series final.
If participating in the series, please take note of the three
digit code located inside this cache. Save this code in a secure
place. When you have visited all 50 caches, and have collected all
50 codes, you are welcome to seek and find the final cache! Good
luck! |