Little Cache on the Prairie
Smack the Ground
Crosstimbers New World Adventure
Boy Scout's Lost Cabin

 

Little Cache on the Prairie
When selecting locations for placing caches, we naturally started by looking close to home. In fact, searching for good cache placements actually led us to previously undiscovered park resources right in our own backyard! We knew the local park was a long greenbelt running the entire length of this very large subdivision and planned a multi-step cache from the start, but the method of creating the steps and the name for the cache actually developed from sections of the park we first visited in our quest for a home for our cache.

The first stage in this cache is located "on the prairie", within a section of the park preserved with some of its original natural prairie features. There are large markers along the trail describing these features and their parts in the overall ecosystem. The second stage is also in an area left mostly natural, yet with very different vegetation that provides the cover in which a cache could be hidden.

We hope we added a little bit of challenge by requiring a walk through the prairie to decipher clues that direct seekers to the first stage, if they have a compass or know how to get the information from their GPS without simple coordinates. The second half is then more the standard cache hunt, leading the seeker through a series of playgrounds and undeveloped green spaces in a friendly, family-oriented neighborhood. We hope you enjoy it!

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Smack the Ground
This location came immediately to T-storm's mind as an interesting place to visit and observe the local activity that might otherwise go unnoticed by even local residents. The original idea was to place a microcache at the site, but closer investigation suggested this wouldn't be the best idea. There are security issues at stake here that might make authorities suspicious of cache hunters and possibly cause unnecessary hassle to both parties.

It still has elements of art, technology and allows insight into a part of life simply taken for granted that make it an interesting visit for adults and kids alike. There are no trinkets to take home as souvenirs, but it is well worth the time to visit. Try stopping by in the evening between 6 and 8 o'clock for a high activity window, and come prepared to make notes on some of the sights to confirm your "find"!

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Crosstimbers New World Adventure
As we spent more time geocaching with our toddler, we became more interested in building caches with extra appeal for families with children. We can't help but value entertainment and education time spent together as a family! The obvious first step for us was a "kids' cache"; a cache with all the goodies aimed at young children and the difficulty and local resources selected to match their abilities and interest level. This location has some of the key elements for family fun… nearby safe parking, quality playgrounds, BATHROOMS, shade, and just enough trail and adventure to spark imaginations.

The pioneering "story" in the cache description is designed to lead children through the various playground structures, most of which will clearly match the descriptive names in the story. They are finally led onto the unpaved trails where the GPS will guide them to the actual cache. Seekers are encouraged to come prepared to trade for toys valued at a few cents up to about $8 so that they may choose whatever item catches their fancy! Please keep the theme going. We'd like to insure future cache hunting kids find something they really like!

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Boy Scout's Lost Cabin
Located in a new park on what used to be the old West Dairy Farm, this cache is near an old Boy Scout Camp Cabin. Built in 1950, the cabin collapsed September 7th, 1962 due to a major flood. All that remains is the foundation. T-Storm's dad and uncles stayed here while the cabin still stood. We also think her uncles may have helped build the cabin.

Cache is not recommended for younger children due to some rough spots. If your balance is bad, this is not the cache for you. Not recommended when there is a threat of flash floods. As always, the most direct approach is not always the best.

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