This is my very first geocache to place and I'm extremely excited to be deploying it. Only having found 50+ caches myself, I am at times a little disappointed in the quality of the caches. Finding pill bottles wrapped in camo duct tape that have unmaintained logs (wet/full) stuck in some arbitrary spot with little to no thought of the location, why I would want to visit that place, lack of creativity in the design of the cache itself are examples that I'm sure you can identify with. Now, don't get me wrong, I love a quick park and grab and realize they do have purpose in this global high tech game we play. Variety is the spice of life they say. Having said that, I have done tons of homework researching highly favored geocaches. The goal in my contributions is to raise the bar just a little, to enhance the geocachers experience with this game.
The location I bring you to is one of Franklin's real Civil War treasures, Roper's Knob was the location of a Federal signal station. The unmarred hill is easily visible from all points around Franklin. Although the summit and the south flank of the hill is owned by the State of Tennessee and City of Franklin, much of the land on the north slope and the hills to the west are in private hands. This area of Franklin is exploding and real estate is at a premium. To develop? or not to develop? It comes with some controversy. Google Roper's Knob for more info.
During the expansion of Mack C Hatcher Memorial Parkway, (just being completed at the time of this deployment), a small memorial was erected along the maze of Franklin's winding greenway system. Our corporate campus is located at the base of Roper's Knob (at Cool Springs Blvd and Mack Hatcher), just a short 3/10ths of a mile walk from Ground Zero. The location has all the qualifications for a great geocaching experience. I trust you will enjoy.
This cache is not your typical geocache. It is a Civil War themed cache and I'd like to request that all swapables try to stay related to the theme and period of the War Between the States. I've put lots of thought, time, and effort into this and I have contemplated making this available to Premium Only Members because I have heard and seen caches cleaned out/robbed, vandalized, stolen etc. My thought is that Premium Members are more committed to the game and rules which would contribute to less maintenance, longer cache life, quality swaps and frequent trackable items (i hope). However, in my consideration, I'm not a Premium Member yet myself and my hope is that this cache, might be the cache that gets a casual geocacher hooked on this game we play and also give them a chance at a rewarding First To Find as well. I'm counting on all geocachers to respect the game and rules. Don't let me down!
Located on a new portion of Franklin's extensive greenway system, this cache will require a short 2/10ths of a mile walk (5 mins even picking up trash) to arrive at GZ. Parking coordinates have been provided, however, if this land continues to be developed, this parking spot may become an entrance to yet another corporate campus. Walk on the greenway ONLY. DO NOT WALK ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. I have added way points to assist. My scouting expeditions have been totally muggle free.Feel free to post photos, just not of the cache in its hiding place. The coordinates are spot on, however, it is still a hide and seek game. Please replace the cache to its EXACT location...these requests will make sure its as fun and enjoyable for the next adventurer as it was for you! BYOP Just in case! You must sign log to get smiley and I will be monitoring!!! Please no cut and paste logs. My reward is getting to read your story. Thank you!!!!
There is a First To Find unactivated trackable that goes to reward the FTF!!! Second to find gets the Mini Flint Lock. All other cache items are swappable. If you take something, replace with something of equal or greater value. I'd also like to request that swap items are of the Civil War era as the theme of this cache suggests.
To commemorate this deployment, I am launching a Tennessee Flag Travel Tag (TD5D474) who's mission is to visit 35 of the US States that were established before/during the war. My hope is that it will collect key-chain hitchhikers along its journey and eventually returns to home base for future missions.
CONGRATS TO REV1970 FTF!!! and GNOMAD51 FOR 2ndTF!
Originating Inventory:
- FTF Unactivated Trackable (FREE TO FTF)
- Tennessee State Flag Travel Tag Activated with Mission to visit 35 Civil War states
- Mini Flint Lock 6.99$ (FREE TO 2nd TO FIND)
- Authentic Civil War Bullet (real lead) 6.00$
- Battle of Franklin Keychain (Carnton Plantation) 4.95$
- Temporary Tattoos 4.95$
- Irish Brigade Hat Pin 1.75$
- Rebel Flag Hat Pin 1.75$
- Abraham Lincoln Hat Pin 1.75$
- Coupons/Promo Items for local historical points of iterest (no value)
- Muggle Card (no value)
