I've been looking forward to this day for a long time.
It all started six years ago. we rented a house in Eagle Ridge with other family members. and I spent a good part of two days with my muggle (at the time) brother Don, and one morning with Jeanne too, enjoying this awesome cache series.
On our departure day, while everyone else was packing to leave, I went out solo trying my best to finish the series, though I knew the odds were slim.
The night before, the Texas Rangers were trying to finish off their World Series, against my favorite team (since birth). After watching the Cardinals unbelievable Game 6 victory I was pumped.
By morning I was pretty tired, but still pumped. After a quick breakfast I raced through Chapters 10 to 13 (I think I saw a cardinal at #11). I was challenged at #12, finding my way around the road closure due to the recent flash flooding. The cache was at the place where part of the road was washed away.(Good thing it wasn't on the guard rail). I doubt I'd have made it to the final anyway, but as I was punching in the coordinates for #14 (my Game 6) I got a call from the dugout. My mother-in-law had to leave for home early, and she was in our car. So after the 13th inning I was taken out of the game. The game was postponed indefinitely.
Back home, after watching St Louis win the Series that night, I read Chapter 14 (all the logs) and studied the location. I had taken good notes, and was 99% sure I knew exactly what to do to access the cache. I read it a few more time in the next six years. A couple weeks ago Jeanne and I were considering a one night getaway trip, and see some autumn colors. Since I would not be able to handle the hiking at Starved Rock due to a foot injury, (and because of the unfinished cache series) my suggestion was Galena, and Jeanne agreed to it.
So on the morning of Oct 22 we drove to Eagle Ridge through intermitant rain showers, but by the time we got there the rain had all gone through. I was leary about the condition of the cache/s
But I had taken good notes, and read all the logs. I was almost certain I knew what I had to do to open the container.
We arrived at the locale (a winery) and had a pleasant walk to GZ. We soon spotted the cache, and it was just as I expected. A couple of twists and turns...and the cache was opened. Signed in, secured the cache as we found it, and we were finally on our way to the final, #15,
(or Game 7 of the World Series) metaphorically speaking)