The Oxbow and Hadley Ferry Bridge Traditional Cache
LZ33: Looks like the CO has left the game.
The Oxbow and Hadley Ferry Bridge
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This cache site is located in an area I considered a very primitive and special
place when growing up in the early 60s. I spent many great days fishing and
hunting this river and area while a teenager and adult.
The oxbow is usually a u shaped portion of the river that due to ecological
changes has become cut off from the main river current. This event if especially
important as this oxbow provides a special environment for waterfowl, fish and other
wildlife. Over the last 50 or so years I have had the privilege to witness the creation
of two oxbows upstream of this location. The oxbow near the cache has been there for
who knows how long.
The Hadley Ferry bridge I remember was a totally cresote treated wood structure except
for the short span that was steel with wood flooring. This was a one lane bridge that
was elevated on wood pilings and had a curve in the bridge. It also had a small section
about half way that was wider than the rest of the bridge that allowed one car to pull
over and let the other vehicle pass. The virgin hardwood trees grew right up next to and
their tops overlaped over the bridge creating a natural canopy. It seemed you could
almost reach out your car window and touch the trees. By being elevated it seemed
as if you were floating through the trees as you transgressed this bridge. Adding to
its isolation it was over 5 miles to the nearest paved road at that time.
The cache is located near enough to the river that it could e inaccessable for a few
days each year if the river has flooded, but is usually accessable for most of the time. I have
tied this cache to a tree so that it will not float off if water does get that high.
Most of the bridge sadly was destroyed by fire set by vandals in the early 70s right after
civilization had the road paved and a new bridge built. Only the steal span still survives.
Somehow elevated paved roads and concrete bridges just don't do anything for me.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
xabyy