Bridge the Gap Between Two Lakes Multi-Cache
Bridge the Gap Between Two Lakes
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(not chosen)
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Bring water for your hike. Watch for critters, use a stick to probe before grabbing with your hands, and please rehide all caches in the same place and well.
Parking for this park can be found on North Mobley Road (at N28 06.84 W082 35.18). For ease, bring paper and pencil to write coordinates on when you get to the first step.
The main coordinates take you to the starting point of this 2-step multi-cache. You will find yourself on a structure. DO NOT LEAVE the structure, as you might cause erosion problems! You will find this GeoCache Tag about 6 inches below your feet on the side of the structure. Be discrete in retrieving, as there is at times many people hiking by. Please put back the same way you found it, which should be hidden well.
This cache has been out since February of 2003 when I took Boy Scouts on an orienteering/GeoCaching camping trip. While watching them do the cache I was worried about causing an erosion problem so I spent much time in changing this part. That is one reason that it has taken so long to turn this cache on. FYI, I have the approval of the park rangers for this cache’s placement.
This cache should introduce you to a new lake that those who stay on the main trails may not have previously seen. Lake Raleigh (view at N28 06.373 W82 35.167) is South and East of the park's namesake, Lake Rogers. At present time pumping equipment can be seen in the gap between the two lakes.
A little History about Lake Raleigh would reveal a lake bustling with water sports and activities back in the 1940s, through the 1970s. In the 1950s the Southeast side of Lake Raleigh became a favorite picnic and gathering spot for the local “African-American” community.
In the 1960s James “Boots” Walker built the popular Walker Motel, of which the remains can still be seen while driving along Race Track Road (at N28 06.210 W82 34.972). James “Boots” Walker was the son of Charlie Walker of which Charlie Walker Middle School (N28 06.754 W82 34.557) was named after. “Boots” was known in the community as a very laid back and friendly man who greeted travelers at the motel. Most of the travelers came to enjoy the lakefront beach activities such as picnicking, swimming, boating, water skiing, fishing, etc.
The motel continued to operate as such through the 1960s and into the ‘70s. In the ‘70s, “Boots” continued to run the motel until his untimely death on August 6th 1972.
There has been talk in recent years of renovating the property but nothing has come of the talk. Maybe one day this land will supply the enjoyment that it once provided for those who visited.
This cache is placed in memory of "Boots" for his contribution to the local “African-American” community.
I would like to thank my friend, "Boots'" daughter, Patricia Arenas, for helping me to compile this History.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
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