Lake Hrothgar Cache
While hiking through the Palatinate of Hartwell, I came upon this scenically situated body of water (see Photos) and wondered if it had a name.
My curiosity peaked, I consulted various maps and apps and cartographers and surveyors and tax assessors and land stewards and reeves and chancellors and chroniclers and lore masters and soothsayers yet none could provide me with a name.
Lastly, and to my regret, I posed the question at hand to local oferdrincere* and “Sh*t Knower” Bobby Doyle who boldly asserted that the water was named Doyle Pond in honor of his great uncle Antonio Hedwig Doyle. However, I dismissed this villein’s claim after he went on to boast that he had invented the toothpick…the tooth pick!
After this due diligence, I feel confident that this particular dirt encircled H2O blob exists sans designation.
Unnamed means unclaimed, right?
Well then…[clears throat]
I, Hrothgar, the magnificent and strikingly handsome King of the Nashoba Valley declare myself to be the lawful and righteous owner of this accumulation of water which shall henceforth and forever be known to all as Lake Hrothgar!
Now rejoice and make merry, my loyal subjects!
I have provided beer and sausages on a stick for all… at reasonable prices plus ⅕ royal tax, of course.
Now make your way yonder to King Hrothgar’s Ye Olde Ale House. Yes, that folding table over there with the keg and sausage bucket, my minimalist reimaging of the traditional medieval ale house…the walls and roof are merely implied. Now form a line and make ready to render unto your King, royal tax and all. Cash only, silver coins accepted, gold preferred.
After we are done feasting, I shall permit my subjects to swim in the King’s Lake. And the woman folk shall have the King’s leave, nay encouragement, to frolic in the water like the nymphs of ancient lore.
But after a brief dip, you all need to sod off...except for the winners of the King’s Fairest Nymphs contest who may stay for the King’s VIP afterparty. WOOT WOOT!! I can only endure so much groveling and adulation from you people in one day so I bid you obey my command.
Oh no…stop…STOP! Your wailing and arm-flailing vexes the King! All but the nymphs must go! Now calm yourselves, gentle folk. I, Hrothgar the Good, shall grant you a kindness. You may return on the morrow, or whatever it pleases you, to search high and low around the Lake for a very special geocache hidden to commemorate the King’s be-naming of Lake Hrothgar!
I know, I know….you are all so fortunate, nay blessed, to have me as your king!
See Photos for AI generated images of Hrothgar's "ale house" and three of frolicking "nymphs." Which ones do you think are fairest of them all?
*Pronounce the F like V and you won't need to look up this fabulous Old English word.
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Please be nice to nature.
Also, please note the location and orientation of the cache container before you retrieve it and put it back just as you found it.
Thank you for your consideration.
For maps and more information on the Hartwell Family Memorial Preserve: https://littletonconservationtrust.org/property/hartwell-family-memorial-preserve/
Permission to hide geocaches on Littleton conservation land was granted by the Conservation Trust of Littleton, MA. https://littletonconservationtrust.org/
Special thanks to Littleton Conservation Trustee Dustin Neild.
A gift from Hrothgar, the self-styled sovereign of the Nashoba Valley!