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Ye Olde Swimming Hole Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Western Mass Clan: Sorry folks. I'm going to archive this one. Swung by today and there are still bees in the area. Being deathly allergic to bee stings myself, I can't justify putting others in harms way either. I'll have to find a new home for the container under a new listing and name. [:)]

Thanks to those who came out to find this one!

~~ Western Mass Clan [8D]

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Hidden : 5/5/2007
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

HORNETS HAVE DECIDED TO MAKE A HOME VERY NEAR WHERE THIS CACHE WAS HIDDEN. THE LAST FINDERS RAN OUT OF THE AREA, WITH THE CONTAINER IN HAND, SO IT IS NO LONGER AT THIS SPOT. I WILL SURVEY THE SITUATION AND DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THIS LISTING SHOULD BE PERMANANTLY ARCHIVED. MY APOLOGIES TO THE TWO CACHERS WHO RECEIVED A FEW STINGS. THE CACHE HAS BEEN DEACTIVATED FOR NOW.

A straight-forward, traditional hide at a nice, quiet little spot on the western most shore of Aldrich Lake. Please be aware that Aldrich Lake is shaped like a fish hook. If you wander onto the peninsula (the inside part of the hook), you may find yourself looking at this cache across 50 ft. of water!

This cache's hiding spot was originally the "bonus cache" location for the 2007 edition The Prisoner's Dilemma Challenge, won by chief20r2 and his alliance. Now that the contest is over, I've decided to publish this as a stand-alone traditional. I did upgrade the container size before publication. The area is one of my favorite quiet spots. A few times a year I find an excuse to wade in at this spot. However, if you would also like to go for a swim, I would recommend wading shoes or an old pair of sneakers you don't mind getting wet. The rocks in the water can be a little pointy at times. You may occasionally see somebody fishing along the banks here. This is also a favorite dog walking area for those who live in the nearby condos.

There is nothing tricky about the hide. The cache is a largish, camo-covered lock-n-lock container ... only slightly smaller than an ammo can. It is large enough to accomodate most travel bugs and swag. I've filled the cache with kid-friendly items that will help keep you cool in the summer!

As you hike to the cache from Amherst Street, you'll notice that the trail appears to have been paved at one time! That is because you are looking at what is left of "Batchelor Street" which at one time used to continue on up the hill. If you walk down to the lake near the cache site, you may also notice the foundations of long-gone cabins & buildings, outdoor wood burning cook ovens, and small stone walls. These are the remains of a Boy Scout camp that used to occupy this area. If you find anything interesting, please post a picture or tell us if you know more about the area's history. If you would like a nice walk, continue on the trail to the Southwest and visit the small dam that created the lake. Nearby is the surviving Aldrich Lake Grist Mill with the remnants of an old water wheel. Parking is the same as our "WMC's Kids' Cache" and can be found on either side of Amherst Street near the bridge - many people park here to fish in the area. The trailhead to the cache is to the North about 100 feet away on the West side of the road.

Note: I made this cache available to those non-winning cachers who participated in The Prisoner's Dilemma Challenge as a prefind - a runner up prize of sorts. The FTF (post publication) should expect to see a few other names in the log book when found. Happy caching!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Ghpxrq njnl va n ubyybj ...

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)