Congratulations to JennWade for being the FTF on this cache!
This is a Medium/Large cache well hidden just off the main trail. Be careful accessing as there is plenty of wildlife in the area no matter the season, and there are some small thorny vines in the area as well (Wild Blackberries I think).
This is the second cache placed on the Abita Creek Flatwood Preserve, a really beautiful area that is fairly well maintained and that we visit quite frequently. The significance of this area is the split between the Flatland Preserve Hiking Trail and Tar-Kiln Road. There is a secondary hiking trail straight ahead that can appear like a "Game Trail", however it is another loop through the grassland and wooded area that is approximately 1 mile long. This secondary trail is not on the preserve map, however is used often for additional hiking. It is not as access friendly as the main trail so strollers, wheelchairs, and other access means a little more limited.
Be sure to read all of the Fact Boards throughout the trail. There is a lot of really neat information relative to the various wildlife, plants, and organisms in the area. This trail feature several carnivorous plants such as the Pitcher Plant, for which the trail is actually named (Pitcher Plant Trail). In the colder months (December - February) the Pitcher Plants are not as present, however when it warms up they flourish in the area. It is not hard to find them with varying degrees of insect decay as they are being slowly devoured within!
If there are any issues with the cache, please make a note on the log and I will immediately come out to get it back into place. We live just down that road and are going to sort of "Adopt" this area as our own with regard to clean-up and maintenance. So we visit it often.
We have been coming to the Abita Creek Flatwoods Preserve for several years now. It is such a beautiful trail with all kinds of smaller wildlife and plants, and it also has a very nice raised platform throughout 50% of the trail.
It is a very picturesque area as well. We have been a few times and seen local photographers performing family pictures, solo photo shoots, and just general wildlife / environment photography.
Link to Preserve Webesite:
https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/abita-creek-flatwoods-preserve/
Be sure while you are in the area to stop and grab Bridge over calm waters
Some Notes / Rules / Regulations regarding the preserve:
Abita Creek is open seven days a week during daylight hours. The preserve is suitable for children that are accompanied by an adult. There are no restroom facilities available on site. Please review the following visitation guidelines:
- Dogs and other pets are not permitted.
- Do not collect, remove, injure, damage, or destroy any plant or animal living or dead, or any artifact or mineral.
- No hunting, trapping, fishing, or discharge of firearms is allowed.
- No camping is allowed.
- Absolutely no fires are allowed, and smoking is not permitted in the preserve.
- Do not litter.
- No permanent photography blinds may be constructed. Portable blinds are allowed, but we ask that you remove them when you leave.
- Do not scatter feed or seed of any kind. Do not use taped calls to attract wildlife.
- Keep your vehicle locked at all times, and do not leave equipment or valuables in your vehicle. Do not leave equipment unattended anywhere on the preserve.
- Leave the preserve before darkness falls.
- Please respect the rights of adjacent landowners. Do not trespass. Do not block neighbor's driveways. Please do not use any entrance other than the one designed for the preserve.