I hid a cache here in their honor exactly two years ago, but am archiving it because it was getting difficult to maintain. It had a tendency to slip out from its hiding spot if it wasn't lodged just right. Muggles may have happened upon it at times, but flood waters took it away just as often. I'm hiding this one in a new spot, that should make it easier for everyone. If you did the other cache, you may remember that "simple substitution code", where a=0. Well forget about it, you won't be using that. You will still be making a circuit of the oak savanna trail and stopping at the interpretive signs, but this time you'll be counting the number of letters in certain words.
Please refer back to the original cache "Cicadas Dig The Oak Savanna" GC12ZAH for information on the cicadas, and also for an appreciation of the oak savanna, a habitat that is rapidly dwindling. This one is being managed and preserved by the Brookfield Conservation Commission. The main thing you need to remember is to always stay on the trails, you won't need to stray from the trail more than a few feet when you get near GZ. Permission to hide the original cache was granted with that stipulation, please respect it.
To find the cache:
Stage 1: At the listed coordinates you will see a sign. Welcome to the Brookfield Oak Savanna. NOTE: Please respect the ground cover of native plants and flowers in their seasons by staying on well established trails, be they crushed stone, wood chips, or dirt. These will eventually get you to within a few feet of the cache. Tread lightly there also, as there may be some native plants, (including poison ivy).
Proceed north along the trail, enjoying nature and reading about the oak savanna
Watch it, you may encounter some invaders trying to take over the oak savanna. Take note of the invader at the bottom right. The number of letters in the last word = A
Find a place up ahead to sit down and rest. Meditate on some peaceful words for a few minutes. Do you know who wrote them? The number of letters in the last name minus the number of letters in the first name = B
You won't need to go much farther before you will probably spot some native plants.
[At some time in late 2014 the plants were "uprooted". If they have not yet been "replanted", you'll probably see them leaning against a tree just a few feet west of the trail.]
Notice the native plant at the bottom left. The number of letters in the plants name= C
[If for any reason the plant is nowhere to be seen when you are here, continue walking north until you get to the two large signs. One of the signs mentions a certain non-profit organization instrumental in the restoration of this oak savanna. The number of letters in the second word of the organization minus the number of D's in that word = C.
At the two large signs follow the trail west. Keep walking and watching. Maybe a butterfly will flutter by. What is the biggest one you see? The number of letters in the entire name divided by 4 = D
Continue your walk around the trail and your senses will come alive, if you let them. What's the first thing you can hear? The total number of letters (in both words) = E
Don't stop now. Keep walking and you're likely to spot some birds. Can you count them all? The number of birds that are facing south = F
The cache is at: N41 49.ABC and W087 50.DEF
Continue walking south on the path for a short distance and take the trail that veers to the right into the woods. Be muggle conscious while hunting, retrieving, logging, and replacing the cache. Have fun, and enjoy the oak savanna.
FYI, here is a link to learn more about the "Brookfield Conservation Commission and the oak savanna restoration"
Here is a good starting place to become an authority on cicadas, "Cicada Mania"
And in case you're interested, this is how you can make your own "origami cicada"
February 16th, 2012...........................#52: Talking with RubyRed7905