Magellan Contest 2005

Journal Entry 1
Journal Entry 2
Journal Entry 3
Journal Entry 4
Adventure Summary
Logs up to June 14, 2005 14:30 (most recent on top)

JOURNAL ENTRY 1

Leader of the pack
I am so proud of Anthony. He’s about to turn 13 and has already become an expert geocacher. He is a credit to his mother, me and our entire Afetta family and lineage. His great-great-great-grandfather Benedict would certainly be amazed at his navigational and research skills, as well as the technology we have at our disposal here in the 21st century. Anthony took the lead on this new adventure. He guided us directly to N42°03.283,W87°49.833, near Golf Mill. There we left a bit of information about our current quest. Anyone can pick up the clue at the Customer Kiosk there, and at retail locations across the country.

“We’d better check the little park,” Anthony announced as he headed on foot toward the waypoint, which we set before leaving home on our vacation. I’ve long had suspicions about this little patch of urban green. When we arrived, we were surprised to be greeted by a small band of geocachers. There were 13 of them in all. They seemed to have been waiting for us. As we approached, they stood from where they were seated and crowded around us like we were movie stars. One man, who seemed to be the leader of the group, handed me a small scrap of tanned leather as he introduced himself. “I’m Dutch,” he said smiling. “We found this note in the park. We figured you’d be looking for it. Skywiever, here has already deciphered it,” Dutch continued as he gestured toward a young gangly member of the band. “I’m afraid it’s not very helpful.” I examined the note. The scrap of leather was old, tarnished and scratched, but the words on it are still perfectly legible. I read the words of gibberish out loud: “invalid, ask as a kaka.” My wife Alice and I shrugged at each other and looked at Anthony, who returned a bewildered stare.

“It’s nothing,” the young Skywiever chimed, “…just a simple anagram for the original capitol of the state.”

Dutch interrupted. “At least it confirms that we’re on the right track. That is, if you allow us to join you in the search for the forgotten treasure?”

We agreed to meet back here at 7:30 PM, local time, tomorrow evening.

JOURNAL ENTRY 2

A straight drive from Golf

Yesterday, as our family parted ways with the small band of geocachers at Golf Mill, the leader turned and said, “by the way, we believe the second location is much closer to the forgotten treasure.” The entire meeting was a little bizarre and I couldn’t think quickly enough to ask what he meant. We will be seeing the group again tonight. That will give us a chance to find out.

JOURNAL ENTRY 3

We set out this morning along with the group Anthony has started calling the “Geo-pack,” the group of geocachers we met at Golf Mill Park. We spent the day searching many of the preserves in the area. At one of the locations, Anthony commented that the place would have been picture perfect a few years ago. The memories I have of the stories my father told me when I was here as a child are sketchy at best, but I was told that this place started the century of progress. It was established by a settler named Ira. I love the White Oaks; some are over 150 years old.

Daniela, a Latina member of the Geo-pack, tells my wife, who speaks a little Spanish, that we should be looking for a dark well. “Thank you,” my wife says – but in Spanish. “I don’t know where these people are getting their information, but I trust them.”

JOURNAL ENTRY 4

We met up with the Geo-pack again this morning and took a straight drive past the second location. Skywiever, of the pack, suggested that we use some sort of quantum physics equation from the lab to make a minor course correction, as if the Accelerator were a large gravitational body. He explained the equation to me, but it was way over my head. “Don’t you get it, Dad?,” my son said with a smirk. “Our forward energy is altered by the force of the Accelerator, curving our trajectory.”

Adenture Summary

The help of the Geo-pack was invaluable in locating my great-great-grandfather’s cache. We recovered it moments before it receded again into the past. It was a great family adventure. Here are some of the details about the area that have been preserved.

Posted on June 14, 2005 14:30 by markwell
I cleared this posting with Magellan... Markwell here. I had a request a while ago from the people at Magellan. They had contacted another cacher that lives downstate and asked him to place the cache - but he lived too far away to maintain it. He in turn contacted me. This cache was the first one placed under the new guidelines for the DuPage County. The transparent container is the only thing that's different about this cache from the other Magellan caches (per DuPage guidelines). As those who have visited it can attest, it's not the "on-the-path-with-the-padlock" type of cache like Herrick Lake. I'll be cross-posting this cache on Geocaching.com very soon - with the title of "Adventure 9: Magellan 2005 Contest Cache" - I'll grab some of the text from the logs and the journal entries here and post them into the description on the website. Both the contest organizers and I would love it if those that found the cache here would also log the cache on that site as well. Most of the clues were put up by the Magellan people doing a lot of research (kudos to them!). But at least one of the clues was from me: "At one of the locations, Anthony commented that the place would have been picture perfect a few years ago." This is in reference to the fact that 2 years ago, Magellan's contest was a photo/GPS contest. They gave coordinates and asked people to take pictures. The coordinates for around the city of Chicago were for the north edge of Herrick Lake at the north entrance off of Butterfield Road. ;-) This will also be a permanent cache, and I'll be going out to restock it soon. Thanks to all that have found it, and thanks to the DuPage County Forest Preserve for allowing this cache placement. Markwell

Posted on June 13, 2005 14:07 by maleki
Since this cache container was not an 'official' Magellan ammo box, and the location is now a special one for me, I'll make an offer to adopt it and go thru the process with the Dupage FP and Geocaching.com to turn it into a standard geocache that all can log. Let me know either way. I may place a cache there(with the required permit) anyway if you just decide to remove it. Thanks

Posted on June 13, 2005 00:30 by Teach2Learn
Hope my ideas didn't lead you astray, Canazuela. The trail (except for the archery range) near Mt. Hoy was my top choice until early Sunday morning when Paul A. mentioned the Lucent parking. As my next post indicates (about a half-hour before the coords were posted), I knew then it had to be the Danada/Herrick area, my second option. Sounds like maleki and C of D figured that out quickly after also reading/hearing about Paul A.'s post. Congrats to all! Now, if they'd just bring one to Louisville this week, I could have real fun instead of just the virtual kind. :)

Posted on June 12, 2005 23:32 by Canazuela
Congrats to Maleki for FTF and you too CofD on the close second! It was good to finally put some faces with the names and I appologize for not staying long to chat. I wish I'd had more time but I was still too pumped full of adrenalin to be next to find the cache. After seeing Solitarian's log with a time of 12:30 I guess I had quite a bit of time after all. However, I should mention that my wife (patient and supportive of my addicton to caching) was maintaing the computer back in a nearby hotel while I was in the field and we had also planned a day hike for today down at Waterfall Glen (another of the great DuPage County parks). I was atop Mt. Hoy when she called with the coordinates and figured I would need a great deal of luck to beat anyone else in the area to the final location. Not knowing the area and the relavance of the Lucent clue left me with a disadvantage. I tip my hat to Magellan with the clues being fair and accurate this year. Last year I was wandering around Grant Park and Meigs Field when the coords popped up some 20 miles away and yet I still only ended up number 2 (again beaten by CofD) by 20 minutes! This contest gets my attention every summer and if the next adventures show up in Detroit or Indy I'll be sure to Be There if I can! Thanks to all the posters in the logs who helped with the clue solving too. One final note; I never noticed any ticks on me so I hope that they just decided to leave me alone; perhaps my REI convertible pants helped?

Posted on June 12, 2005 21:40 by C_Of_D
Whew! It's been a long day. Congrats to maleki on the FTF- he certainly earned it! Thanks to Magellan, and all the sponsors too! I also want to thank my son- he was watching the site and posting for me while I was in the field. The container was a common Tupperware type. I too pick up a few ticks, brushed off 2 at the preserves and just pulled a 3rd out a few minutes ago. It was good to finally meet you maleki and I enjoyed our walk & talk back to parking. It was good to meet you too Canazuela, even tho it was all too brief. Good luck to everyone else in future hunts.

Posted on June 12, 2005 19:26 by fitzgeo
And, thanks to all of the sponsors and the people that organize and run the adventures.

Posted on June 12, 2005 19:08 by fitzgeo
7th to find at about 15:30. Like Maleki, before the final clue, I would have bet on Warrrenville Grove. The final location was quite the hike from the nearest parking. It was a good day. One of my sons caught a fish at the fishing derby, and I finished in the top 10.

Posted on June 12, 2005 18:26 by Solitarian
I just knew that Maleki would get the FTF. I have been to many a freshly placed cache recently only to discover at least 6 names on the log, and on each cache I found, maleki was very close to the top of the list. And right below Maleki there was usually Corp of Discovery. Congrats to all!

Posted on June 12, 2005 18:23 by Solitarian
With how late in the day (12:30pm) I got to the cache, I was surprised to only be number 4... I too have been quite perplexed by some of the clues lately, including yesterday's Fermi connection and the curving trajectory. I happily took the Magellan Keychain, although my family thinks it is lame. I shall treasure it as a medal accomplishment. Fighting off the ticks before any got the teeth set was the real victory. Once I got back to the trail I brushed off no less than 8 rather large ones. Thanks for the adventure! And here's to many more!

Posted on June 12, 2005 17:29 by martinp13
Is the Vegas Magellan cache (Adventure 6) still around? I just got into town and went straight there, and we couldn't find anything (tho we found Scooby Doo nearby).

Posted on June 12, 2005 14:27 by maleki
Wish you could format these comments somehow. That last ones just a big blob - sorry - I thought I had it nicely laid out.

Posted on June 12, 2005 14:25 by maleki
Another bit of thanks to all the play at home participants. Some of the clue connections I'd never have thought of. Here are some additional ones that I came across - whether relevant or not. Perhaps the random thoughts might assist future adventurers: great-great-great- 8-8-8 Most of Herrick Lake lies in the 088 08.xxx longitude http://www.co.dupage.il.us/museum/generic.cfm?doc_id=2046 Grote Reber of Wheaton built the world’s first radio telescope in the side yard of his home http://www.co.dupage.il.us/museum/generic.cfm?doc_id=2037 Chicago Golf Club, located originally in Downers Grove( now in Wheaton), where in 1892 the Club laid out the first 9 hole golf course west of the Appalachian Mountains, and in 1893 expanded it to become the first 18 hole golf course in the U.S 'this place started the Century of Progress' http://www.elginhistory.com/dgb/ch24.htm At Chicago's Century of Progress Exposition in both 1933 and 1934, gates were opened daily by a time impulse from the observatory(the Elgin Watch Observatory). This is probably about 20 mile NNW so not sure if it relates 'dark well' http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=fa3b07dc-2364-42b1-8b3e-67f98b7b6066 Herrick Lake Audio Exchange This cache was placed by MARKWELL, the famed Chicago are geocacher and documentarian(is that a word?) I beieive it is the only 'legal', geocacher-placed geocache in the Dupage Forest Preserve system. The DCFP has placed a few themselves. Arrowhead Gold Course used to have a huge golf ball water tower http://img.groundspeak.com/cache/log/aff46084-9da3-44e7-b49b-b6ce78c158fe.jpg It has recently been demolished, I think, although was still visible on some older satellite photos. Thanks again to all involved.

Posted on June 12, 2005 14:23 by maleki
Jaxxon, while I'd imagine I still act that way I sure did not feel that way after a mile plus HARD bike ride with a purpose. I envisoined myself sprawled out along the path a few times and it took a bit to catch my breath after I finally found the container.

Posted on June 12, 2005 14:15 by Jaxxon
Good work, maleki. I'm glad I could help you out. Nice picture, even though I imagined you as a 20-something college student.

Posted on June 12, 2005 13:49 by Daedoles
Couldn't figure out the 13 connection until after the coords were posted

Posted on June 12, 2005 13:44 by Daedoles
OK..now I think I got it...Herrick Lake has 13 fish species.

Posted on June 12, 2005 13:41 by maleki
Well that was sure a fun Sunday morning out(and Thursday and Saturday). First off thanks to Magellan and all the sponsors, Outside Magazine, REI, and Groundspeak.com. Very happy to say that this winner supports all the sponsors. I own several Magellan GPSrs and had one in each hand as I found the cache(see picture - taken at home). I had the current copy of Outside Magazine that we just received in my backpack as well as a book(thought I'd be sitting around and have time to read it but forgot the backpack in the van as I hastily ran off for the find). Purchased some FRS radios at REI last year and was kicking myself for not bringing one along today as there was some sort of radio tent set up for a HUGE bicycle event that was going on. And of course, I'm a Groundspeak Premium member for a few years now and a VERY active cache. More thanks go out to the Dupage County Forest Preserves for allowing Magellan to place the cache within your boundaries. While checking out possible areas for the cache the last few days I found dozens of great cache hiding places in the various parks I checked out. I may have to test your new permit policy to see if any of the places meet your new requirements. The several preserves in the area here are really nice and I got to know them much better. Thanks to Paul Afetta for the final note. Without it I'd decided to wait about 2.5 mile away near the dam/waterfall at Warrrenville Grove. I cannot think of a more picture perfect setting as that(there also was an open wireless connection in the parking lot from a nearby residence). I thought sure that would be very near the spot til the final note that mentioned Lucent. And last and most certainly the most important piece of the FTF was the VERY timely call I received from Jaxxon/Linda. It allowed me to just beat CoD to the cache by a couple minutes. Hopefully I can return the favor when the contest gets near you. The cache container was about 200 feet off the path and .91 ATCF from where I parked, probably 1.25 mile along the path. The last 200 feet was very thick and thorny bushwhack. The container is clear Tupperware. Probably spent more time trying to find where I'd ditched my bike in the brush afterwards. Much credit to CoD for sticking with me for the find and for the use of his compass which helped alot. Enjoyed meeting CoD for the first time too. He was a previous Magellan Adventure winner. We enjoyed the walk back to the parking area. He even nabbed another cache on the way back. A bit more to follow:

Posted on June 12, 2005 12:33 by Adk Deb
Congratulations maleki and all the other cachers - nice sunday geo-outing; can't wait for recaps and pics.

Posted on June 12, 2005 12:22 by Teach2Learn
Congratulations, maleki on being FTF! In spite of the red herrings, it's nice to know we had the correct area chosen three days ago when the 3rd entry was posted: "
Posted on June 9, 2005 10:16 by Teach2Learn: Here's a map of the Herrick Lake area in DuPage County with some of the marked trails: http://www.dupageforest.com/Maps/hlmap.html. Best trail to start serching might be the yellow regional trail that connects to Danada Forest Preserve, just over two miles long..."--Of course, that's still a lot of area to search and we had no confirmation at that point. The "trajectory curve" must have been to push us back from Blackwell to Herrick/Danada. Did they get permission to use the regular tan "Be There" ammo box or did they use a transparent container? Any identification of the Skywiever or pack? Was 13 the road or a marker? Patiently waiting answers and photos... :)

Posted on June 12, 2005 11:13 by maleki
FTF! Thanks over and over to Jaxxon for the very timely call. Would have been impossible without it as I just beat CoD by a couple minutes. Over a mile from parking on the path. More details later when home. Proud to say I had a Magellan in each hand when I found it. Thanks Magellan.

Posted on June 12, 2005 11:02 by Canazuela
3rd this year! Corp beat me again by minutes! Gotta run but I'll post more later. Thanks again Magellan for a great contest! Canazuela.

Posted on June 12, 2005 10:06 by RWEThereYet?
Congrats to the FTF and all those who searched.

Posted on June 12, 2005 10:02 by C_Of_D
Corp of Discovery here. We got second!!!!

Posted on June 12, 2005 09:59 by Jaxxon
Just heard from my new best friend (ha ha) maleki. He was the FTF!

Posted on June 12, 2005 09:40 by rubber ducky
It looks like it is a little north of the Regional Trail just east of the intersection with the Bluebird Trail (in Herrick Lake FP).

Posted on June 12, 2005 09:20 by PapaDe
Time mark for coords

Posted on June 12, 2005 09:15 by Adk Deb
Just a thought - since this is a short term cache it will prob still be in magellan ammo can.

Posted on June 12, 2005 09:12 by Adk Deb
I take it the Lucent building borders Danada - really wasn't my number one. oh well - still cool place watch out for horse droppings and here's some info on the ivy " The compound leaves of poison ivy consist of three pointed leaflets; the middle leaflet has a much longer stalk than the two side ones. The leaflet edges can be smooth or toothed but are rarely lobed. The leaves vary greatly in size, from 8 to 55 mm (0.31" to 2.16") in length. They are reddish when they emerge in the spring, turn green during the summer, and become various shades of yellow, orange or red in the autumn." From http://poisonivy.aesir.com/view/pictures.html. Lake area? Thanks Paul A. for info. Good luck cachers.

Posted on June 12, 2005 09:02 by C_Of_D
Corp of Discovery on sight. If anyone wants to contact, email at pfriz63@yahoo.com

Posted on June 12, 2005 08:57 by PapaDe
Popping in to say good luck to all the IL cachers.

Posted on June 12, 2005 08:56 by maleki
a few miles away. Looks like rain.

Posted on June 12, 2005 08:53 by Teach2Learn
Of course, don't forget that Danada and Herrick are connected, so it could be either, especially if Winfield is the "13" in the entries. I'm off to church...will check in to congratulate FTF and hope for pictures of the transparent container!

Posted on June 12, 2005 08:38 by Teach2Learn
So Danada's da one, huh? Well, it least it fits most of the clues and was near the top of the list. Still can't explain some, but looking for a 13/Skywiever link sounds like a good bet. Also, the "pack" might narrow park options--wolf links? Go Chicagoland cachers!

Posted on June 12, 2005 08:02 by Jaxxon
8 a.m. Is the field operative in place?

Posted on June 12, 2005 05:17 by Jaxxon
5:17 a.m Sunrise in Naperville.

Posted on June 12, 2005 02:42 by Jaxxon
Good luck, maleki! Your friend in the Buckeye State is cheering for you.

Posted on June 12, 2005 01:57 by maleki
Thanks for your note Paul. That really narrows things down alot, There have been some local cachers that had probs when using the Lucent lot in the past.

Posted on June 12, 2005 01:29 by maleki
Teach2Learn FYI - the back side of Mt. Hoy that you mentioned is an archery range(that was being put to good use today when I was parked nearby). Geocachers might want to take a bit a care on that side of the hill as the line of fire is into the base of Mt. Hoy. Ouch! Thanls for all the other possibilities.

Posted on June 12, 2005 01:27 by Paul Afetta
It has been a lot of fun geocaching with some of the locals all week. There are a few things worth noting during our adventure here. You may want to relay these messages to your teammates in the field. As we’ve been searching the area we’ve noticed a LOT of poison ivy on the ground and in some of the bushes and trees. You’ll want to watch out for that and keep your search above ground. We sure appreciate the DuPage County Forest Preserve District for giving us permission to geocache in their park. The park is beautiful and well maintained with plenty of parking at the West and East entrances. So please do not park at the Lucent building. Have fun! Paul

Posted on June 12, 2005 00:40 by Teach2Learn
Fallenfaery - Both Big Woods and McDowell would fit a trajectory curve if it's to the south. Both are also close to the Fermi lab. However, they don't have as many factors in their favor unless there's a "13" or "Skywiever" link and I guess there could be. Maleki did search for the #13 marker on the Batavia trail spur which runs through Big Woods, though the marker is elsewhere. Other preserves to the north (West Chicago, Timber Ridge, etc.) could also fit a trajectory curve that could be interpreted as "over my head" as in north. I'm stlll guessing the 3 in a row (Blackwell, Herrick, Danada) or one with elevation like Waterfall Glen's Signal Hill.

Posted on June 11, 2005 23:37 by Fallenfaery
what about big woods or mcdowell FP?

Posted on June 11, 2005 23:34 by Teach2Learn
fitzgeo and malecki - sounds like you picked some good spots to search. Too bad trail markers and local knowledge can't be easily duplicated online. The trail in Blackwell's southern half that runs around the back side of Mt. Hoy (away from the fishing lakes) is another possiblity, though anywher in Blackwell seems possible. Otherwise, I still like your choices along IPP (near Fermilab), and near Herrick/Danada, especially if you can link anything to "13" and possibly elevation due to the trajectory curve and "over my head" phrasing. I also haven't completedly eliminated Signal Hill in Watefall Glen either as it could link to Skywiever (Indian smoke signals used there over 100 years ago), a "picture-perfect setting, and trajectory curve/elevation. Good luck! I'll probably be in Sunday School teaching 7 and 8 year-olds when the coords appear.

Posted on June 11, 2005 22:46 by maleki
I looked the same spot along the golf course on Thurs. I only found 6 golf balls though, but did find a bag with about 25 packs of fire crackers. Considered it CITO I guess.

Posted on June 11, 2005 22:32 by fitzgeo
I spent part of today following a couple of my hunches. Thought it would be great to find the cache based upon the clues, rather than the sprint after the coordinates were posted. Unfortunately, I wasn't successful. But, as many know from previous adventures, finding the cache is alot harder than getting the general area. P.S - it's great to see so many people from all over the country put some serious thought into the clues and what it can all mean. This sleuthing is one reason GC is so fun. My first hunch was found by looking at my Illinois Prairie Path Trail Map. Mile 13 on the Batavia Spur was shown to be in the Glenwood Park Forest Preserve, near Batavia. After traveling to that location, I could not locate the actual mile marker on the path. After seeing the 4th clue today, I used one of my other hobbies, one that deals alot with curved trajectories, as the basis for a search. The second hole (a.k.a. location?) of Arrowhead's South golf course runs along Herrick Lake F.P. I've had a couple of my curved trajectory shots land in the F.P., and there is a F.P path right there. My son and I found 15 golf balls, but no cache. Coming out of the F.P., we stopped and looked at a map of the area. We had earlier noticed a mile 6 marker on the path, but didn't know where mile 13 would be. The map showed us that there was a mile 13 marker, over in the Danada F.P.. We went over there, but nothing was found. Good luck to all in tomorrow's sprint to the finish. I will be in the Blackwell F.P. tomorrow morning, but not waiting for the coordinates. There is a kid's fishing derby at Blackwell tomorrow, so there will be 100's of kids fishing the area's lakes. My boys will be there, trying in vain to pull a fish out the lake. I'm guessing they will have as much success as I did today searching for this cache.

Posted on June 11, 2005 21:27 by maleki
I'll by somewhere near the area tomorrow. If anyone wants to play along at home and give me a call when the coords hit, let me know this evening or very early am. maleki@interaccess.com I'll reply with phone # if you can. Thanks

Posted on June 11, 2005 16:54 by Adk Deb
I really want it to be Blackwell but if they're being pulled off course from the straight line ( westerly) of Danada,Henrick and Blackwell than (SW) McDowell Grove Forest Preserve ( interesting history) or (NW) West Chicago Prairie ( northern Illinois' premier natural area) would be interesting final distinations. Good luck and it's been fun learning about the IL prairie.

Posted on June 11, 2005 16:27 by offdisc
To add to the confusion between Blackwell and Warrenville: An earlier clue read "I've always been suspicious of this little park". Well, Warren could easilt be "Earl Warren" who led the investigation into JFK's suspicious assassination (also a TX connection). On the other hand, Blackwell could reference Ohio's Secretary of State who is under investigation about the "suspicious" Ohio voting in the last election (most websites covering this use that word!).

Posted on June 11, 2005 15:56 by Fallenfaery
Ira (mentioned in clue 3) copley was a settler that was born in copley township, il and died in aurora, IL. He bought the glendale news press in california. So now could it be some where in aurora (south of the accelerator?) or in glendale heights. Also Dupage county has passed similar cache placement rules. You have to have a clear container for Dupage now also. that takes us back to the transparent ghost like difference.

Posted on June 11, 2005 13:51 by Teach2Learn
If the trajectory curve is elevation, then I'll stick with Mt. Hoy area of Blackwell. It fits the "picture perfect" setting, pack (use of clay), "13" if that's Winfield Rd. or a trail marker. If it moves them south to Waterfall Glen, then Signal Hill might fit. The "Skywiever" could be a "sky view" which any elevated area might provide. If north, there are almost too many preserves to track with little to distinguish, at least from known clues.

Posted on June 11, 2005 11:14 by Teach2Learn
If they were still moving west past Herrick in entry #2, they woulde hav arrived at Blackwell on the way to Fermi National Accelerator Lab (quantum physics, acclerator, etc.) via the Illinois Prairie Path and regional connecting trail. However, the trajectory curve makes it difficult. They could have been thrust south to Warrenville Grove or Glen Falls preserve (one of the "picture perfect" settings in the article), north to other preserves, or drawn in to the trail around Fermi's lab, part of the Illinois Prairie Path. Hopefully, someone can narrow the field. Perhaps a quantum physicist? :) What else are we missing in the entry?

Posted on June 11, 2005 10:08 by The Pi-Eyed Pirate
My experience with these Mag. caches tells me you folks should expect your coords very early Sunday morning. However, I do recall one that was posted mid afternoon but most are early AM. Good luck to all who venture out! Keep on cachin'!

Posted on June 11, 2005 09:19 by Dakota Ladybug
Time Check clue # 4

Posted on June 11, 2005 07:11 by Teach2Learn
I agree, Adk Deb, concerning Blackwell or close to it. We've broken the journal entry pattern. The other adventures (including #3 and #4, the ones started on Tuesdays like this one) had their fourth journal entry by Friday evening. Either it was planned that way or delayed due to the fact we were already close. Nothing from Paul A. after Wednesday as a log or Thursday morning with an entry.

Posted on June 11, 2005 07:05 by Adk Deb
Good Luck IL cachers, still thinking it's Blackwell, maybe slopes of Mt Hoy facing Silver Lake or the McKee Marsh for birding.

Posted on June 11, 2005 06:55 by Teach2Learn
Thanks, PalfiFamily, the maps usually just show it as Winfield Road. If that's the link, then it again points to Blackwell and yes, Warrenville Grove, as top spots. It also runs north past some area parks, Cantigny and Oakbrook(?), before reaching Timber Ridge Forest Preserve. The southen half of Blackwell still looks best to me, though Warrenville is probably #2 now, followed by Danada and Herrick as a tie for #3, then the other area preserves/parks on the coonecting trails or Illinois Prairie Path.

Posted on June 11, 2005 00:59 by PalfiFamily
Route 13 is Winfield Road - sorry saw that earlier and forgot to share - runs along the parks

Posted on June 10, 2005 22:30 by Teach2Learn
Thekelleycrew - I agree that Danada is high on the list. I think I have them as my third choice, though I might move them up a notch. I have noticed that many of the area's preserves seem to be undergoing at least partial renovation and DuPage Co. Forest Preserves' Conservationist magazine article a few years ago (Fall 2002) talked about neumerous "picture perfect spots" in the system. The aspect that may still give Blackwell the edge is the fact that Daniela says they should be looking for the "dark well"--a reference to Blackwell, possibly even its previous excavation site where they found excellent packing clay. As you noted, that "13" is still a mystery, though your ideas are certainly worth considering. I'm wondering if it's something you'd have to be on site to see. Perhaps a trail marker #13 (on a preserve trail or Illinois Prairie Path) or a cabin/campground circle marked #13. Lots of possibilities, but they might be narrowed if only Paul A. would return. :)

Posted on June 10, 2005 22:01 by Thekelleycrew
Also danada has a 35 acre restoration project going on... the place would have been picture perfect a few years ago

Posted on June 10, 2005 21:58 by Thekelleycrew
have been watching this adventure unfold. here is what the crew has concluded. the reference to 13 could be the # of maps on the dupage county website. or the reference could be for the 26 stall horse barn on danada 13 years old 13 cachers. also on danada is the exercise track or the right track from #1. danada also seems to be centrally located on the map of the 13 maps listed on the dupage county site "13 of them crowed around us" a scrap of leather might be found around a stable. just some thoughts wont be able to participate...

Posted on June 10, 2005 18:33 by Teach2Learn
PalfiFamily - Yes, Warrenville Grove was mentioned in a post yesterday. It's connected to Blackwell Forest Preserve by the Illinois Prairie Path. It does fit "the little park" idea if that was meant as a later clue, though I'd still give the advantage to Blackwell, at least until we get another entry/clue, if that ever happens. I know Paul A.'s out there...

Posted on June 10, 2005 17:27 by PalfiFamily
Decrypt 41.84600 A 88.20500 J "Purpx gur yvggyr cnex"? 41.81500 A 88.17200 J N cnex fznyyre guna Oynpx Jryy, Jneeraivyyr Tebir. 41.82700 A 88.17350 J N yvggyr cnex fbhgu bs gurer.

Posted on June 10, 2005 16:29 by RWEThereYet?
heading up to Chi town with a car full of kids (seven of them). Stopped at Starbucks and logged on to see if the next clue was posted yet. No luck. The oldest (13 years old) should no better, but she likes the contest name and for the last couple of hours, all I hear is.. "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" I don't need the caffiene, they are keeping me on edge as it is. Hope you all can "Be there" with us.

Posted on June 10, 2005 16:24 by Canazuela
I'm starting to think we're way too close and they're not going to give us another clue until tomorrow, if ever......

Posted on June 10, 2005 14:22 by Teach2Learn
Last week's adventure that started on Tuesday (a day later than the others) received its journal entry #4 on Friday. Adventures #7 (Dallas) and #8 (New York) have already received theirs, so it shouldn't be long. Also, Paul A. hasn't posted a log since Wednesday or added a journal entry since Thursday morning. Guess that means we're either on track or so far off base that they have to figure out a way to point us in the right direction.

Posted on June 10, 2005 09:53 by Teach2Learn
SockPuppet - Churchill Woods certanly fits the criteria of being a preserve in the area with white oaks and a dedication to preserving what is disappearing. Then again, many of the preserves in DuPage County do. Of course, three others (Blackwell, Herrick, and Danada) had additional factors fitting the clues already explained. Is there something more that makes Churchill fit better? A longshot might be the "trust" exhibited just like people trusted in Winston Churchill, but that seems a bit far-fetched and out of the chronology in comparison to the other clues. Still waiting to hear from Paul A....

Posted on June 10, 2005 07:23 by SockPuppet
Decrypt Puhepuvyy Jbbqf Sberfg Cerfreir Tyra Ryyla, VY

Posted on June 10, 2005 07:06 by PapaDe
wife&mom - someone actually pointed out, last year, that if you drew lines from corner to corner on the map the resulting "X" would mark the location of the container. After that the maps started being off-set. Now I wonder that "someone was. :D

Posted on June 9, 2005 23:09 by wife&mom
Oops... did nopt meant to encrypt that one....

Posted on June 9, 2005 23:08 by wife&mom
Decrypt Ynfg lrne, gur pnpur uvqqra va fbhgurea pnyvsbeavn jnf bss bs gur nern fubja ba gur pybfr-hc znc ..... gung jnf arire rkcynvarq gb hf.... ohg creuncf guvf lrne gung jba'g unccra.... fb V jbhyq abg arprffnevyl qvfpbhag nal ybpngvba onfrq hcba gur zncf fubja....

Posted on June 9, 2005 21:13 by Teach2Learn
Know Future - Yes, I'd already dropped Kaskaskia to the bottom of the list as just a pointer back to the Batavia area. I'm feeling fairly confident it's one of the top five I've listed in or near Blackwell Forest Nature Preserve. Of course, we'll wait to hear from Paul A. :)

Posted on June 9, 2005 18:33 by Know Future
The updated Adventure Map doesn't include Kaskaskia. That tells us something.

Posted on June 9, 2005 15:30 by Teach2Learn
Yes, the DuPage Co. Forest Preserves site is well organized with links to each preserve and maps as well. Here's the one I posted earlier for Blackwell: http://www.dupageforest.com/Maps/blackwell%20map.pdf. Mt. Hoy is in the SE (lower right) corner close to Silver Lake. The regional connecting trail in yellow that winds around Mt. Hoy would be a good area to search, though notice that the elevation grows to over 800 feet off trail, a siginificant elevation for that area of Illinois. The woolly mammoth remains were discovered in McKee Marsh in the northern area of Blackwell, still close to the trail. And the Illinois Prairie Path connecting Blackwell to Warrenville Grove Forest Preserve (to the S) and to Herrick Lake Forest Preserve (to the E) is at the bottom.

Posted on June 9, 2005 15:04 by Adk Deb
Teach2Learn - dupageforest has such a wonderfull web site really got me reading and being a potter I zeroed in on CLAY!!! Really think this is the final site, somewhere around the clay bed area. Real neat to read about skelaton of woolly mammoth unearthed there too!

Posted on June 9, 2005 14:35 by Teach2Learn
Adk Deb, that clay info may be even more of a clue. Notice the emphasis on "geo-pack" twice in this entry and "pack" as the title of the first entry? Literally, that wouldl mean "earth pack" or "soil pack" or loosely even "clay pack." In Blackwell preserve, while excavating the fomer Hoy Gravel Pit was, "large quantities of low-permeable clay were discovered that could be used to prevent water leakage and protect the county’s groundwater supply. With this discovery, the District decided to create a winter sports hill that could also serve as a landfill. Mt. Hoy, which is no longer operated as a landfill, was created and has provided valuable knowledge in managing solid waste." Mt. Hoy is next to an area of the preserve used for orienteering (use of a compass) traiing. Hmmm...sounds like a good caching spot.

Posted on June 9, 2005 14:21 by Teach2Learn
Updated list of possible sites: 1. Blackwell Forest Preserve trails (near Warrenville), located next to Batavia mentioned in REI Clue, and "Black well" matches "dark well" clue of Daniela in entry; 2. Herrick Lake Forest Preserve trails (Wheaton), settled by "Ira Herrick" of journal entry with "stately white oaks" over 150 years old, next to Blackwell and close to Batavia; 3. DaNada Forest Preserve trails, links to the Spanish thanks/welcome in journal entry and to Daniela's name, area settled by "Daniel and Ada," adjacent to Herrick and Blackwell preserves; 4. Fermi National Accelerator Lab trails portion of Illinois Prairie Path, fits Batavia, next ot Blackwell/Herrick/Danada preserves, possible link to ideas of disappearance due to Fermi's work; 5. Other DuPage Co. Forest Preserve trails in Batavia area, possibly on Illinois Prairie Path; 6. Kaskaskia area in S. Illinois, near St. Louis, connections to earlier clues, now seem to point back to Batavia area

Posted on June 9, 2005 14:12 by Adk Deb
In info re Blackwell Forest Preserve : seems the founders found some good clay deposits to line their wells with , enabled them to survive draught years and let the region grow so that could be the referance to " century of progress" as improving life on the prarie. Go for the dark well ( Blackwell) IL. cachers!!!

Posted on June 9, 2005 14:06 by Teach2Learn
Maleki, looks like just about a half-hour trip for you, and trails you may already know well. Good luck--hope the new (or old) cache clues clarify the specific trailmarkers in one of those nature preserves.

Posted on June 9, 2005 13:54 by Adk Deb
One of Teach2 learn sites mentions a new well : "in September 1999 the IPP ( Il Prarie Path) had a well drilled and water pump installed on the IPP's Elgin Branch at Army Trail Road in Wayne. Thanks Teach for all the info.

Posted on June 9, 2005 13:50 by Teach2Learn
In respose to NH_Moose's earlier post, Anthony's "picture perfect a few years ago" cooment could be linked to DuPage County's nature magazine on their forest preserves, the Conservationist. A few (well, almost three) years ago, an article stated there were dozens of "picture-perfect" settings in the county's forest preserves. Here's the link (with the quote in the second column): http://www.dupageforest.com/CONSERVATIONIST/Fall%202002/page9.pdf

Posted on June 9, 2005 13:39 by maleki
Heading over to this area this afternoon. If anyone wishes to help by phone tomorrow or til its over let me know. Will check back this evening.

Posted on June 9, 2005 12:44 by Teach2Learn
PapaDe, you're linguistically correct, but "da nada" fit the clue, so I went with it :). I believe the settlers of Danada Preserve were "Daniel and Ada," possibly a link (or just a coincidence) to her name Daniela. Danada is also the only name that makes sense in relation to the definitive Ira Herrick, white oaks, and Blackwell references from the entry, pretty clear if you look on the overview map of DuPage County forest preserves leading to the Fermi lab.

Posted on June 9, 2005 12:30 by PapaDe
Not really a linguistic expert myself - I always understood "Gracias" or "Mucho Gracias" to mean "Thanks" or "Many Thanks". Whereas, a typical reply to "Mucho Gracias" would be "Da Nada" meaning "It's Nothing". "Da Nada" being a more casual way of saying "Your Welcome".

Posted on June 9, 2005 12:12 by Teach2Learn
Yes, trashcann, I think you're right that the "century of progress' was in reference to Chicago's World Fair, but perhaps just to confirm the metropolitan area for this cache. It doesn't extend to the detailed clues for the preserves they talk about. Also, after Meigs Field was closed again in 2003, "all aircraft based at the field were stranded, and the public (including rent-paying owners of aircraft based at Meigs), were barred entrance to the property." I don't they'd be able to place one there.

Posted on June 9, 2005 12:01 by trashcann
The century of progress was the name of the worlds fair held in Chicago in 1933. It was held next to the lake in what is now the old Meigs field area

Posted on June 9, 2005 11:42 by Teach2Learn
Right now I would lean toward the Blackwell preserve area due to Daniela's comment that they should be looking for a "dar well." That would have led them past the Danada and Herrick preserves on the way to the Fermi's Batavia lab area. Just to make it more fun, here's one more map link, http://www.ipp.org/dh-ipp.html, showing how this Batavia/Blackwell/Herrick area is all part of the Illinois Prairie Path. Note the remarks concerning how a spur of the trail continues from Blackwell preserve into the Fermi lab area where even buffalo reside.

Posted on June 9, 2005 11:23 by Teach2Learn
Don't limit yourself to just the Herrick Preserve. Here's a map that provides an overview of the DuPage County forest preserves, including the three implied in the journal entry: Danada, Herrick, and Blackwell. http://www.dupageforest.com/PRESERVES/preserves.html. Notice what is at the western border of the area, Fermi's plant, the Batavia connection from the REI clue. The treasure being closest to the "second location" could mean one of the three preserves or simply just an earlier reference to the "Batavia" Herald link to Kaskaskia which led us to Fermi's Batavia plant. Otherwise, we're left with the lack of explanation for Vandalia and Kaskaskia. Kaskaskia may have been the first capital, but was the second town in the anagram clue.

Posted on June 9, 2005 11:05 by offdisc
Of course, I'm just really confused about entry #2! What did they mean by "the second location is closer to the treasure"? How does that fit Herrick Preserve?

Posted on June 9, 2005 11:03 by offdisc
The 2 mentions of 13 could lead someone to the Youth Cabin in the Northwest corner of the Preserve (13 + 13 = 26... total capacity of the cabin).

Posted on June 9, 2005 10:39 by Teach2Learn
Part of the simple answer to things disappearing/becoming transparent might be the commitment of DuPage County's forest preserves to prtoect endangered species of plants and wildlife, but it's difficult to specify the type.

Posted on June 9, 2005 10:28 by Teach2Learn
And one more map, the Danada Forest Preserve, to complete the journal entry's three named areas: http://www.dupageforest.com/Maps/Danada%20Map.pdf. It includes at least two more miles of that yellow regional connecting trail. Of course, there could be more areas close to those preserves. Why the emphasis on the word "pack" throughout the entries? Geo-pack in entry #3, leader of the pack earlier? Could be anything from wolves to Boy Scouts to...?

Posted on June 9, 2005 10:27 by NH_Moose
...would have been picture perfect a few years ago... I can't find any history, was there a fire or something that happened ?? Does Paul mean when he was there years ago ??? Used to have Fermi Labs as a customer, I wish I coulf be on-site!!!

Posted on June 9, 2005 10:22 by Teach2Learn
The search area grows. Here's the Blackwell Forest Preserve map, where the connecting yellow regional trail section is over 3 miles long: http://www.dupageforest.com/Maps/blackwell%20map.pdf

Posted on June 9, 2005 10:16 by Teach2Learn
Here's a map of the Herrick Lake area in DuPage County with some of the marked trails: http://www.dupageforest.com/Maps/hlmap.html. Best trail to start serching might be the yellow regional trail that connects to Danada Forest Preserv, just over two miles long, though any of the others are possible too.

Posted on June 9, 2005 10:08 by Teach2Learn
More confirmation for Herrick Lake Forest Preserve area, from the website: "Herrick Lake is bordered by Danada Forest Preserve on the east and adjacent to Blackwell Forest Preserve on the west." "Da nada" is Spanish thanks and the obvious "Blackwell" link to a "dark well."

Posted on June 9, 2005 10:04 by Teach2Learn
Okay, here's a good possibility, Herrick Lake Preserve, founded by Ira Herrick who lived in early to mid-1800s. It is known for its stately white oaks and is located near Wheaton, IL, in DuPage County. Link: http://www.dupageforest.com/PRESERVES/herrick.html

Posted on June 9, 2005 10:01 by NH_Moose
...Ill...designate the white oak (Quercus alba) as the official state tree.... Any of the parks / historical spots have a watering spot (well) and white oak???

Posted on June 9, 2005 09:58 by Teach2Learn
Quick thought: "dark well" is "pozo de la obscuridad" in Spanish. I have no idea how it connects yet, if it even matters, or if my language translator is completely accurate. The well would be the "pozo."

Posted on June 8, 2005 23:50 by wife&mom
I'm wondering if the transparent container (perhaps plastic?) is to avoid the bushwhacking/metal detector assistance that may have been employed on the other adventures? In our area of the country (SOuthern California) this is not considered in good form.....

Posted on June 8, 2005 22:33 by PapaDe
Did you note that Adventure 8 did not get a third clue today? Nor an updated map?

Posted on June 8, 2005 21:39 by Teach2Learn
Yes, if Adventure 9 follows the pattern of those with clues first released on Tuesdays, then the final coordinates will be posted on Sunday, a day after those for Adventures 7 and 8.

Posted on June 8, 2005 19:55 by Know Future
Are we experiencing a dilation of time here?

Posted on June 8, 2005 19:19 by GeoTruckin
So when do you think the coordinates will be released since the first clue came out yesterday. Sunday?

Posted on June 8, 2005 16:20 by Teach2Learn
So many state park choices between Kaskaskia, Vandalia, and Shawnee National Forest areas, but FWIW here are links to the Illinois state parks in the West Central and South regions of the state: West Central, http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R4/region4.htm; and South, http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/PARKS/R5/region5.htm

Posted on June 8, 2005 15:46 by Teach2Learn
Updated list of possible cache sites: 1. Shawnee National Forest: Indian names like "Sky Wiever" may imply, "Dutch" Creek in forest, Trail of Tears' 13 groups, straight drive from Golf Mill, geocaches permitted in forest, state parks in forest that allow "transparent" cache containers, ghost towns on forest trails 2. Vandalia area parks: due to being second capitol, on Old National Trail (Madonna of Trails), on banks of Kaskaskia River, and close to line from Golf Mill near Chicago to St. Louis; ; 3. Kaskaskia River area (Fort Kaskaskia/Fort Gage to Baldwin Lake), fits REI bonus clue; 4. Batavia area near Chicago, REI store location, newspaper title in clue, Enrico Fermi's, a physics "pioneer" and work with nuclear fission, decay, quantum theory ability to make things "transparent'

Posted on June 8, 2005 15:39 by Teach2Learn
Yes, the Illinois (DNR) state parks do approve caches, but require caches to be approved, including transparent containers, which would differ from the "Be There" tan ammo boxes used so far. That would lead us back to the Kaskaskia River area parks controlled by the Illinois DNR near Baldwin and Vandalia, but state parks like Giant City are actually within Shawnee National Forest.

Posted on June 8, 2005 15:30 by Dorkus&Co.
What about a transparent container - lending itself to the State Parks?

Posted on June 8, 2005 15:22 by Teach2Learn
Guess we may need to add Batavia Plant (name of the paper from the REI clue) to the list with its relation to the "pioneering" work of Albert Fermi in particle physics and beta decay and radiation. He could certainly make things "transparent." That would lead us back to Chicago.

Posted on June 8, 2005 15:21 by maleki
From the Golf Mill location, Vandalia is about 200 miles and Kaskaskia and the Shawnee NF are about 300 miles. Have any of the other adventures had this type of range from the starting point? This would make this one more of a St. Louis area adventure than a Chicago area adventure.

Posted on June 8, 2005 14:55 by Adk Deb
Cked out this site http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/il/il.html in referance to Paul A's comment but nothing was ringing a bell. All the intell on early IL capitols has been real interesing. Can't wait for more info .......

Posted on June 8, 2005 14:47 by Teach2Learn
Thanks, Paul A.! That could point toward Shawnee National Forest. It is lined with "ghost" towns, especially along Tunnel Hill State Trail near Harrisburg. Here's a link: http://www.runningplaces.com/route/index.php?route_id=129. At the bottom you'll notice a list of ghost towns: "Forman, Bender, Parker City and New Castle. All serve as landmarks to trail users." It shouldn't be forgotten that the first REI clue linked to a Kaskaskia cemetery where the dead pioneers were often not identified. In a sense, when Vandalia became the capital, Kaskaskia became more of a ghost town, just like many of the Indians on the Trail of Tears. I'd think Paul's hint boosts Shawnee National Forest as a possiblity, but also brings Kaskaskia back into the picture.

Posted on June 8, 2005 14:28 by Teach2Learn
Creating a list of possible cache sites: 1. Vandalia area parks: due to being second capitol, on Old National Trail (Madonna of Trails), on banks of Kaskaskia River, and close to line from Golf Mill near Chicago to St. Louis; 2. Shawnee National Forest: Indian names like "Sky Wiever" may imply, "Dutch" Creek in forest, Trail of Tears' 13 groups, straight drive from Golf Mill, geocaches permitted in forest, within one to two hours of Vandalia; 3. Kaskaskia River area (Fort Kaskaskia/Fort Gage to Baldwin Lake), fits REI bonus clue

Posted on June 8, 2005 14:10 by Paul Afetta
Anthony and Skywiever have been talking and they seem to think that there will be something different about this cache when we find it. They theorize that as it fades into the future it will become ghost-like – nearly transparent.

Posted on June 8, 2005 14:06 by PapaDe
Teach2Learn - Good job locating the info on the trail of tears. As for the "Shawnee", "Skywiever" connection. I thought the same thing, early. Did some googling, but came up with nothing. Maybe, it is still out there. I definitely agree with you. This seem more like a St. Louis, MO cache. Rather than a Chicago cache.

Posted on June 8, 2005 13:15 by Teach2Learn
And I guess the tanned leather could connect to the Cherokee as well, or just about any pioneer. :)

Posted on June 8, 2005 13:11 by Teach2Learn
Any chance that the name "Skywiever" sounds like it's implying an Indian name to anyone else, another link to the Cherokee Trail of Tears? If you read the complete link in my previous post, it includes the story of a girl named Priscilla on the Trail of Tears who was stopped by Dutch Creek (near Jonesboro in Shawnee National Forest) when she was 12 or 13, same age as Anthony.

Posted on June 8, 2005 13:04 by Teach2Learn
Time to toss one more wild guess out there. It's not in Vandalia, but it is in the same region of the state. Searching for a link to the "13" I discovered there were 13 defined contingents of Cherokee Indians on the Trail of Tears, most of which passed through Southern Illinois, specifically in the area of the previously mentioned Shawnee National Forest which is a straight drive from Golf Mill. They got stopped there for the winter at an area known as "Dutch" Creek. Perhaps more than just the obvious "Dutch" Reagan/Tampico, IL connection? Here's a link: http://www.illinoishistory.com/trailoftears.html

Posted on June 8, 2005 12:46 by Teach2Learn
In a book by Reeve Lindbergh (2nd daugher of Charles), she mentions "the familiar, worn, light tan leather jacket he used." Could be a longshot link to Lindbergh, but the journal entry #1 clue is specified as being on tan leather, an unusual form.

Posted on June 8, 2005 12:37 by Teach2Learn
PapaDe, so far I see no connection between the Madonna statue sites and the Magellan sites. Of course, that could change so it's worthy of note, but the "Be There" hides in Texas and Florida are far from the old Madonna trail.

Posted on June 8, 2005 12:32 by Teach2Learn
It does appear that at least some of the park system in Vandalia is being connected by trails in addition to the Lincoln trail. The gangly idea for Lincoln still fits for him. Of course, it also somewhat fits Charles Lindbergh and if the "Skywiever" connection (tan leather clue was written on related to aviator-type jacket?) exists for him, Vandalia would have been close to the Chicago to St. Louis mail route he flew. Perhaps it should also be noted that Anthony is still 12 (like the number of statues), about to turn 13, though I still think that might be a stretch.

Posted on June 8, 2005 12:31 by PapaDe
I was curious if the other locations of the "Madonna of the Trails" statue across the US, had any relevance to the Magellan hunt this year. The theme of "three" seems to have some import. Pyramids, three pronged devices... Something to keep in the back of ones mind. Just recalling how several/many of last years caches had something to do with Olmstead.

Posted on June 8, 2005 12:20 by sdesigns
I must agree with PapaDe about Vandalia. Not only is it the second capital, it has has three Capitol buildings within the city. It's on the Kaskaskia river too. Also, the name may have been a Dutch name that was changed. And, it's a straight drive from golf - for the most part on one highway - and even straighter a "drive" through the air. Still can't find the thirteen reference - thought about the Madonna trail, but there are only twelve. On another tangent having to do with Skywiever, I took a look at http://www.archwayskydiving.com/aboutus/aboutus.htm

Posted on June 8, 2005 12:17 by GeoTruckin
Used to work in Vandalia. Have been walking through Lincoln Park many times. It is very small and not too many hiding places. Its right in the middle of town.

Posted on June 8, 2005 12:14 by Teach2Learn
Did you read all the way to the bottom of the "Madonna of the Trail" statue description? It says, "This monument, which was dedicated on October 26, 1928 sits on the southeast corner of the Old State Capitol grounds in Vandalia, Illinois. Originally the monument stood at the south entrance of the former Old State Capitol. For aesthetic reasons, the state moved the monument to its present location in 1939." Conections to the capitals/capitols (Vandalia uses the "o" spelling on its home page) and history, perhaps even the fact that there are 12 statues if that relates to Anthony's age, though that's probably a stretch since he's turning 13. http://www.vandaliaillinois.com/madonna.html

Posted on June 8, 2005 12:03 by Teach2Learn
I'd already found the same Vandalia site you did, PapaDe. Of course, even though the athletic fields comprise large portions of the Vandalia parks, six parks with 60 total acres probably allows for trails other than the Lincoln trail, espcecially since they seem to developing a trail that goes from park to park. Interesting...

Posted on June 8, 2005 12:00 by PapaDe
I am curious as to what the area that surrounds the "Madonna of the Trail" is like?

Posted on June 8, 2005 11:56 by PapaDe
I think it would be a hoot if the container was hiding in that mini park with the statue of A. Lincoln sitting on the bench.

Posted on June 8, 2005 11:52 by Teach2Learn
Yes, it could be Lincoln's connection to Vandalia, but Vandalia has small parks, only one with a well-used one-mile trail named after Lincoln. I'm not sure there'd be many hiding spots unless they moved toward the nearby Kaskaskia River. The Kaskaskia River area not far from Vandalia, especially near Lake Baldwin, is controlled by the state park system, the Illinois DNR. They do allow geocaches by permit, though usually in clear containers.

Posted on June 8, 2005 11:47 by PapaDe
My current focus is Vandalia. With apologies to Offdisc - when you used the term "Skyviewer", and I corrected you. I think, perhaps, you were on to something. Somewhere in my muttled memory, I believe, I heard Abraham Lincoln refered to as "Skyview". While researching A Lincoln, I came across the following quote "All I knew was to read, write and cipher..." The young gangly man decyphered the anagram. Now if you check the Vandalia, IL website the city has many tributes to Abraham Lincoln, one of IL adopted sons. http://www.vandaliaillinois.com/

Posted on June 8, 2005 11:30 by Teach2Learn
Oops...sorry about the various "Kaskaskia" spellings. I overlooked the errors with no chance to edit.

Posted on June 8, 2005 11:23 by Teach2Learn
Journal entry #2's remark that the treasure is closer to the second location than to the first is tricky. Does it mean the second capital (capit"o"l if that's not a Magellan spelling error) of Vandalia that rubber ducky mentioned earlier or does it mean the second place mentioned in the orignal anagram, which would have been Kaskaskia? If it's Vandalia, the second state capital, the town is located just off I-70 not far from I-57, a fairly straight drive from Golf Mill. Vandalia is also next to the Kasaskia River.

Posted on June 8, 2005 11:11 by Teach2Learn
Of course, I should add that Shawnee National Forest is huge, including one trail of 160 miles--yes, 160 miles. And yes, Shawnee National Forest does allow geocaches. Pyramid State Park, Giant (or Giant City) State Park, and the Fort Gage/Kaskiaska areas would all be easier to search, but Shawnee does appear to have the straightest drive from Golf Mill, assuming you're taking paved roads :). If "Skywiever" is a clue related to Lindbergh, he did fly the mail from Chicago to St. Louis early in his career, not far from Kaskiaska.

Posted on June 8, 2005 10:27 by Teach2Learn
Pyramid State Park is smaller than Shawnee National Forest, but don't be misled. It's still a lot of ground to search with over 16 miles of trails for hiking/biking/riding (or maybe even for caching). Here's the link to cut and paste: http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/PARKS/R5/PYRAMID.HTM

Posted on June 8, 2005 09:57 by PapaDe
"a straight drive from Golf" down 57 would take you to the Shawnee National Forest. LOTS of area to explore. However, just NE of Ava, IL is Pyramid State Park. Not quite as much ground to cover.

Posted on June 8, 2005 09:38 by PapaDe
So second location? Ava, IL or Vandalia, IL (the 2nd capital)?

Posted on June 8, 2005 09:20 by Mac
"He's about to turn _13_" " There were _13_ of them in all" Hmmmmmmmmmm?

Posted on June 8, 2005 08:03 by RotDL
capitol - the building in which the legislature meets Capital - city that is seat of the government

Posted on June 8, 2005 08:03 by RotDL
capitol - the building in which the legislature meets Capital - city that is seat of the government

Posted on June 7, 2005 20:29 by The Roving Ravenstones
Hey PapaDe good to hear from you! and thanks!

Posted on June 7, 2005 20:28 by The Roving Ravenstones
another mission had alot of numbers in it just as this first clue does. in review of them after the coords came out, they had some pertainence to the actual coords. I might be looking way too much into this but I am feeling these coords and local right now N37°54.210' W89°48.945' or a few away the same N and these west W89°48.913' Hey I am probably WAAYYY off but it is worth a try, I am not local to the area so someone else might want to give these a whirl!

Posted on June 7, 2005 20:19 by PapaDe
Roving Ravenstone - Howdy. Good thought on the anagram.

Posted on June 7, 2005 19:47 by The Roving Ravenstones
How about Cole Memorial Park directly between kaskaskia and ava????

Posted on June 7, 2005 19:35 by The Roving Ravenstones
Just wanted to jump in! the quote "invalid ask as a kaka" I believe is an anogram stating Ava,il and kaskaskia. Now I know the two are not that far apart, but I don't know much about any parks inbetween the two. Just my 2 cents!

Posted on June 7, 2005 16:27 by PapaDe
Well - at least we know it's in Illinios ;) .... we think....

Posted on June 7, 2005 16:10 by offdisc
Could we be way off???? How's this for a hunch: The clue mentioned 2 former capitals, yet everyone ignored the *current* state capital!!! I thought of this earlier, but couldn't make a connection. Thanks to PapaDe for correcting my misread... "Skywiever" gives a link! There is a Lindbergh Park there. And who was a better navigator than Lindbergh.

Posted on June 7, 2005 16:07 by waukesha wizards
My first guess would be Fort Kaskaskia State Park

Posted on June 7, 2005 15:54 by Mac
Call it a hunch but this is where I'd look? Warren Park at Pratt and Western Avenues, in Chicago.

Posted on June 7, 2005 13:34 by NH_Moose
http://www.iltrails.org/kaskaskia.html Dedication of Monument to Pioneers at Kaskaskia, IL as reported by the Batavia Herald on 13 July 1893

Posted on June 7, 2005 13:32 by cheech gang
Bonus clue info: http://www.iltrails.org/kaskaskia.html

Posted on June 7, 2005 13:12 by Roland_oso
REI Bonus Clue: A monument to the pioneers was first reported by the Batavia Herald on 13 July 1893

Posted on June 7, 2005 13:12 by twebs333
Wasn't Glen Miller a thin band leader killed in the air?

Posted on June 7, 2005 12:28 by PapaDe
Skywiever - "a young gangly member of the band." Reference to Benny Goodman or other famous musician?

Posted on June 7, 2005 12:21 by Adk Deb
FYI: Big Bang theorist Edwin Hubble went to Univ. of Chicago.

Posted on June 7, 2005 12:14 by PapaDe
Hi Offdisc - "Now who was "Skyviewer"?" Spelling is "Skywiever". An aviator? Here is a list of famous people from IL. http://www.50states.com/bio/illinois.htm

Posted on June 7, 2005 11:46 by offdisc
We're on to something: Reagan's Cabinet was 13 people! Now who was "Skyviewer"?

Posted on June 7, 2005 10:58 by PapaDe
Sorry - didn't mean to encrypt the last one. Ronald "Dutch" Reagan. Born in Tampico, IL was a movie star.

Posted on June 7, 2005 10:57 by PapaDe
Decrypt Gnyxvat gb zlfrys urer. Lrf, Ebanyq Erntna jnf avpxanzrq "Qhgpu" naq ur jnf n zbivr fgne.

Posted on June 7, 2005 10:45 by PapaDe
Jog my memory - Wasn't Ronald Reagan, who was born in Tampico, IL nicknamed "Dutch"?

Posted on June 7, 2005 10:31 by Newcastle37
Check this out! http://www.artfacts.net/index.php/pageType/exhibitionInfo/exhibition/20447 The Art Institute of Chicago, Overview: In Sight is an exhibition of recent work by 13 contemporary Dutch photographers assembled from the rich collection of the renowned Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam. The nearly 120 photographs and several videos were selected by one of the great experts on Dutch photography, Hripsimé Visser, the Stedelijk's curator of photography.

Posted on June 7, 2005 10:23 by Newcastle37
Here is a shot in the Dark. The US Lock & Dam # 13 (Mississippi River) is in Fulton IL. The City also has a very rich Dutch Heriatge. Just a thought.

Posted on June 7, 2005 10:16 by rubber ducky
Check out this site for a history lesson on Kaskaskia: http://www.prairieghosts.com/kaskaskia.html Apparently it was connected to the rest of Illinois until the Mississippi changed it's course in 1881.

Posted on June 7, 2005 10:06 by rubber ducky
Here's an interesting note that I'm sure isn't relevant to the hunt, but take a look at Kaskaskia on the map (try mapquest). Other than the tiny town of Dozaville 2 miles west, Kaskaskia is the only Illinois town west of the Mississippi. In fact, you can't even get to Kaskaskia from Illinois, you have to go into Missouri to get to it by road. I didn't know that any part of Illinois lie west of the Mississippi. Just wanted to share. :)

Posted on June 7, 2005 09:51 by Bythec''s
Rubber Ducky......you are amazing. Your mind works on this so fast! I definately think you are on to something!

Posted on June 7, 2005 09:42 by Adk Deb
Anyone going to an REI today to pick up the clue? Windy City gets a cache!

Posted on June 7, 2005 09:41 by rubber ducky
After you use the letters to spell "Kaskaskia" you still have some left over. They spell Vandalia which was the state capitol from 1819-1839. It is on the banks of the Kaskaskia River. The town of Kaskaskia was capitol from 1809-1819.

Posted on June 7, 2005 09:36 by NH_Moose
What is the 13 about ??? Rembrandt was Dutch, there was an exhibit last year in Chicago, but I don't get the connection

Posted on June 7, 2005 09:31 by rubber ducky
The coords are for the REI store on Golf Rd in Niles, IL.

Posted on June 7, 2005 09:27 by Juzbip
Illinois forst capitol: Kaskaskia

Posted on June 7, 2005 09:27 by NH_Moose
Kaskaskia - first capital are the coordinates the REI store ?? Someone needs on-site intel !!!!

Posted on June 7, 2005 09:27 by Roland_oso
Chicago

Posted on June 7, 2005 09:24 by rubber ducky
Chicagoland

Posted on June 7, 2005 09:23 by rubber ducky
Chicagoland

Posted on June 7, 2005 09:19 by NH_Moose
Time check 10:19 EDT adventure started