Welcome to the mission, this is meant to be fun though you are under no obligation to complete the whole mission. The mission will take you to many places in the Capital Region of New York and in one of those places is the final container. Each stop will give you a number for the final part.
Capital Region Geocaching Mission
This geocaching mission came from my thinking of how to promote geocaching along with promoting some of the historic locations and other parks. In order to complete this mission you will have to go to many spots in the Capital Region of New York to get numbers to fill in the coordinates for the final. The southernmost park for the challenge is Mine Kill State Park and the furthest north is Moreau Lake State Park. There are links to the caches associated with the mission below as well as links to all of the parks and historic locations. The geocaches contain swag and more. The final will have some coupons for anyone that finds the cache and a First to Find unactivated travel bug for the first person to find the cache. I also put a second unactivated travel bug in the cache. Off and on I might drop another unactivated travel bug after the first two are taken. Some of the caches do not have a pen/pencil in them.
For the main mission page follow this link: Capital Region Geocaching Mission
If you want more of an explanation of why I set this mission up follow this link: Capital Region Geocaching Mission Explained
You are under no obligation to complete the final part of the mission.
AB°CD.EFG HI°JK.LMN
A. Initiation: Old Champlain Canal Trail- Capital Region Geocaching Mission Initiated - Another part of history near Peebles Island in the town of Waterford. This part of the trail does not seem well maintained but still a nice walk. To get more of the history of the canal visit this link: Old Champlain Canal
B. Mission 1: Moreau Lake State Park- Creating a Mountain Out of a Mole Hill This cache is the furthest north of all the caches for the mission. There are many other great caches in this state park along with lots of hiking trails. You can also camp, swim, and more. Visit the website for the park for more details: Moreau Lake State Park
C. Mission 2: John Boyd Thacher State Park - The coordinates for the sign are N42°39.022 W074°00.367 “On September 14, 19_4 Emma Treadwell Thacher donated 350 aces….” Fill in the blank. You will get some great views from this spot in John Boyd Thacher State Park. There are many very good geocaches in the park in fact another cache Mystery at the Escarpment uses this sign for figuring out the coordinates. The park is also home to the famous Indian Ladder Trail. To find out more about this state park follow this link: John Boyd Thacher State Park
D. Mission 3: Vroman’s Nose - Vroman’s Nose Multi-cache - Another great small park in the capital region. The park gives you some great views. Even though this cache will not bring you to those views they are worth seeing and you might spot a peregrine falcon since they have been known to nest somewhere on the cliff. For some more information about this park visit: Vroman’s Nose and there is a Facebook page Vromans Nose Preservation Corp
E. Mission 4: Pruyn House - the coordinates for the sign are N42°43.938 W073°46.638 “Buhrmaster Barn ca 1850, Moved from river road – 1912, moved from troy-schenectady road 1988, Dedicated August 3_,1989, Friends of Pruyn House & Town of Colonie” fill in the blank. Great historic site in the Albany, NY area. The historic site is maintained by the Town of Colonie. I decided on this location one evening when I was at the Buhrmaster Barn for a contra dance. To learn more about the site follow the link: Pruyn House
F. Mission 5: Peebles Island State Park- the coordinates for the sign are N42°47.064 W073°40.837 - There are steps on this sign, what step number is: “Machines called “mangles” Squeeze the cloth dry. It is then steam-heat dried.” Another great state park in the capital district. The park provides some great views of the Mohawk River along with the Hudson River with nice scenery and some history. For more info about the park follow the link: Peebles Island State Park
G. Mission 6: Mine Kill State Park - Lost in Translation - This is a great park, many geocaches, great hiking and a water fall. There are many activities going on from festivals to workshops. Also don’t forget to visit the NY Power Authority’s Visitor Center as well. For more information about the park visit this link: Mine Kill State Park
H. Mission 7: Landis Arboretum- the coordinates for the sign are N42°46.965 W074°16.244 "He created the gardens when he retired during the 19_0's." When you get the number to fill in the blank subtract 2 from it to get the number you need. Landis Arboretum has opportunities for nature education, hiking, live performances, weddings, and much more. For more information about the arboretum follow this link: Landis Arboretum
I. Mission 8: Pine Bush- the coordinates for the sign are N42°43.101 W073°51.781 "The Pine Bush has greater than _0 at-risk species that are either state or federally listed as rare, endangered or special concern." Fill in the blank. The Albany Pine Bush is one of only a few locations like it in the world. Another spot similar that is a little bit better known of in the United States are the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. This type of area is called inland pine barrens. For more information about this follow the link: Albany Pine Bush
J. Mission 9: Max V Shual State Park - Finding the Door to Summer - This is a small state park. It is mostly there for camping but it has some good hiking trails, a boat launch for Schoharie Creek, and more. For more information on the park follow the link: : Max V Shaul State Park
K. Mission 10: Saratoga Spa State Park - Racing Deer Around the Hemlock Trail - This state park has got many things you can do from Saratoga Preforming Arts Center, golf course, museums, hiking, geocaching, and much more. When I went to choose the spots for this cache there was even a large farmers market going on. For more information on the park follow the link: Saratoga Spa State Park
L. Mission 11: Schodack Island State Park - The Wheel of Time - The island was originally home to the Mohicans before they sold it to settlers. For more information about Schodack Island follow the link: Schodack Island State Park
M. Mission 12: Bennington Battlefield Historic Site - the coordinates for the sign are N42°56.035 W073°18.288 – General Stark’s Victory August 1_, 1777 – fill in the blank and subtract six from the answer. This spot for the mission is the furthest east and great spot for learning more about the history battles of the area. For information about the battlefield follow this link: Bennington Battlefield Historic Site
N. Mission 13: Grafton Lakes State Park - The Road Not Taken - This state park is another great park in the capital district. Great hiking, many geocaches, swimming, and more. I have another cache in the park that is a four part mystery cache called Grafton Lakes Mystery Cache and for more information on the park look at the following link: Grafton Lakes State Park