Hours after a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and the resulting 124-foot Tsunami decimated Japan, Marines stationed in Okinawa responded with supplies and support as the government mobilized Operation Tomodachi. With over 45,000 buildings in ruins and a snowstorm dropping temperatures to 15 degrees Fahrenheit, the Marines deployed the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and joined forces with the Japanese Self-Defense force, supplying vital water, heating fuel and other supplies to displaced residents in difficult to reach areas. Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant was one of the buildings badly damaged by the tsunami. Marines from the Chemical, Biological and Incident Response Force (CBIRF) were also deployed to aid the Japanese in the event of a reactor meltdown. During Operation Tomodachi, Marines strengthened our alliance with Japan by responding quickly and decisively to avert greater disaster.
Explore Bays Mountain
Come explore the trails at Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport, Tennessee by foot or by mountain bike. This geocache is placed near Lake Road--this road, popular with mountain bikers, circles the interior portion of the park for a total distance of about 4.5 miles. Click on the link for Bays Mountain Park above to locate, download and print a trail map or pick one up inside the park Nature Center before heading out on your exploration. The park has many caches already in place. The bookmark list of Bays Mountain caches lists everything from traditionals, puzzles, multicaches, letterboxes, and earthcaches. The possibility of getting five different cache icons in one day is POSSIBLE! If you are interested in learning more about the history of this 3,300 acre city owned park then explore this website: Discover Bays Mountain
THINGS TO KNOW:
•There is a $4.00 entrance fee per car/truck per day.
•The park offers a Nature Center and Herpetarium with public restrooms, various animal habitats, fee-based programs which include both a ropes course and a zip line, a planetarium, and a lake barge trip--all located near the parking lots.
•While the park is open daily, (with exceptions for Christmas and New Year's Day) the park operating hours change seasonally and park gates are locked upon closing times.
•Cache was placed using a Garmin HCx with at least 100 readings to average the coordinates--consider that at the time of the year when this geocache was placed, there was significant overhead foliage.
•You will be sharing your exploration along Lake Road with mountain bikers and other hikers as your venture into a more remote section of the park. Telephone reception may be spotty.
•There are various hazards which include black bears, venomous snakes, poison ivy and other critters which may or may not be a problem for you while on your adventure. Prepare accordingly.
•At different times of the year, your trail may be wet or muddy.
•Your geodogs (on leashes) are welcome to explore with you on this road, but are not permitted in the animal enclosure areas. Look for the signs to indicate those areas.
•No motorized vehicles are allowed anywhere in the park except on the paved roads leading to the parking lots.
•Bring your own pen!
•This cache and cache location has been placed with the full approval of the park director.
During your journey to locate this cache, you will encounter many obstacles. Some may be tougher than others to accomplish. Once reaching the cache location, difficulty shall increase. This is NOT meant to be an easy P&G grab. This will test skill, knowledge and stamina just like our troops encounter on a daily basis. Once locating the cache, be sure to keep the clue that is provided. This will be needed at the final cache once all stages are found. This will be a on going series with different caches, different terrain ratings and levels of difficulty. You will be looking for a .50 cal ammo can well blended for its environment. Please place cache back in EXACT location so the next cache can experience the same.
To start the cache off, I have placed 2 TB's inside. FTF prize inside as well. Please keep the velcro patch inside the FTF prize as a gift!
Cords shot with 12' accuracy with over 200 readings.
Cache owners are not responsible for anything, so seek these at your own risk!!! Be aware of dangers around as you search for this container. We tend to do crazy and dangerous things for a cache but it doesn't mean that you have too. Enjoy your mission!!!