Old and New

On May 4th we got up early, as usual when you've got young children, and knocked out some laundry as well as a cache that had popped up the night before. When we set out it had not been found yet so we might just get another FTF :)

IHP # 95 Another IHP To Make You Smile!
The IHP in the caches name stands for I Hate Puzzles. I can only imagine that they aren't the biggest puzzle fans. Thats fine because we really enjoy traditional caches! We knew where the cache was going to be when we pulled up to the boat launch and parked. This cache was similar to the one we had done just a few days before. Unfortunately we missed the FTF by one :( but we did get to trade some neat swag. Also I forgot to take a picture of the find so just imagine Colette holding a neat looking container and smiling at the camera.

Old-Time Campmeetin'
After laundry we picked up my mother and headed West. Our destination was a natural reserve called The Gulf. None of us had ever been/heard of it so that would be part of the adventure. Before we got there though we stopped in Mooers and picked up this cache. This was another older cache that has done a great job standing the test of time. It was a rather easy find due to it's size but that didn't make it any less fun! We swapped travel bugs and my mother traded some swag then we were on our way.

A rather large cache!

The Little Wooden Gulf Bridge

In the Gulf Unique Area Preserve there are a couple of well made trails. Due to the reserve being so far from anything else there is a sign in area. 

The box with sign in log

After signing in we headed down the trail we hoped would lead us to this cache. There are three caches in the area, one being a multi and the other requiring bushwhacking. Unfortunately we didn't have the time to go after the other two, but that gives us a reason to go back :) We really enjoyed the trail we hiked on. There are plenty of unique sights and land formations. There were also some very pretty flowers making their way under the tree canopy. 

When we arrived at the bridge the hunt for the cache began. 

The Little Wooden Gulf  Bridge

We were all stumped when suddenly Zoey happened upon the very well hid container. Apparently I deleted the photo of her holding the cache but she was very proud of herself! I traded a CITO kit (there was some trash on the trail which we disposed of) and the others traded their swag and placed the cache back to it's home. The hike back was just as enjoyable as the one to the bridge. We all hope to visit the Gulf again in the near future, hopefully this time we'll remember some bug spray!

There's Something About Swanton

On April 30th we were Vermont bound once again. My mother and brother wanted to go with us and since we were going to St Alban's Maple Festival on the 1st we had to make the most of the 30th.

Moonlight in Vermont

View from the shoreline

We started our day by visiting a cache that had been recently reactivated. It seems that the lake was trying to take back part of the shore and as a result the caches original location wasn't safe anymore. This cache is on private property but the log clearly states that it was places with the owners permission which was great because the location was awesome! It's right next door to a bed and breakfast and looks like it's frequented by the locals. It took us a bit longer than normal because the new coordinates are a bit off, but ultimately Justin found it as we were about to call it a DNF. The area was just plain awesome and I'm glad we were able to do a cache there.

The Treeman celebrates another find!

The Litte Red Caboose

Little Red Caboose and New walking bridge
Just down the road we stopped in Swanton and the Swanton Historical Society R.R. Depot Museum. The museum has lots of really cool stuff if you're interested in trains or local history. There's an old station, switch house, a caboose and what is left of a rail house. Across the street is a train bridge that has been re purposed  as a walking bridge. The caboose hide was fairly crafty and my mother happened upon it after a few minutes of searching.

Zoey getting credit :)

The awesome bridge!

The walking bridge though we were unable to find. We spent way too long searching for it with no luck. You can tell that many people have searched for it without finding it but have yet to log a DNF. Some cachers even admit to this in their found it logs. There have been 2 more DNFs since we logged ours but the CO insists it's still there. I believe the problem is the area is needle in a haystack heavy.

Swan Princess
This was a quick walk in the park. Apparently there are swans that live in the park but they weren't out yet. Did a bit of CITO while we were there which shouldn't have been necessary since there were ample trash bins nearby.

The cache with our lovely models

a walk in the woods and The Desert

Not too far from the park we were at before is what use to be a recreational trail for snow mobiles. It seems that they are no longer allowed to use the area because they were abusing the land owners good nature. This hasn't seemed to have stopped ATV owners since there was plenty of tire tracks on the trails. The first cache was just inside the trails but still well hidden in a common caching spot.

Zoey inspects the treasure

The second is in an area that very much looks like a desert in the middle of the forest. This cache took us a bit longer but I was determined that I knew where and how it was hidden, it was just a matter of finding it. Sure enough I was right and we were soon on our way. There is another cache in the area but unfortunately we ran out of time for the day and will have to return in the future!

A less than flattering shot!