I knew I wanted to host an event this day but where? What place would tie in with hosting a geocaching event close to home on the day of a total solar eclipse somewhere else in the US? We won't see much of any type of eclipse around here in Northern Virginia so now it's just an excuse to have a get together with caching friends. By the time of this geocaching event the main events of the solor eclipse will have happend so let's just call this..... an AFTER PARTY! While out caching I came across this location & suddenly the idea of where I should host todays event light up like a bright sunny day... here silly! Near the sight of a Moon Tree.
Where: Scott Jenkins Memorial Park- 39464 E Colonial Hwy, Hamilton, VA
When: April 8, 2024 4:30pm-5:30pm-- Note that by the time of this geocaching event any form of eclipse phenomenon should be over.
If the Sun & Moon align there may be Sun & Moon Food snacks? (see what I did there?!)
Group Photo: We'll take a group photo in front of the Moon Tree.
While you're here be sure to check out the nearby Virtual cache, Adventure lab stage & traditional nearby. 
What is a solor eclipse? "For just a few minutes, the moon will pass directly in front of the afternoon sun and cover it up, creating the unusual celestial phenomenon of the total solar eclipse. According to NASA it will be the last time a total solar eclipse will cross the U.S. for more than 20 years in 2044.
What is a moon tree? “Moon Trees” never actually grew on the Moon, but their seeds were taken into lunar orbit 50 years ago this week. The NASA Moon Trees history website explains: Apollo 14 launched in the late afternoon of January 31, 1971, on what was to be our third trip to the lunar surface. Five days later, Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell walked on the Moon while Stuart Roosa, a former U.S. Forest Service smoke jumper, orbited above in the command module. Packed in small containers in Roosa’s personal kit were hundreds of tree seeds, part of a joint NASA/USFS project. Upon return to Earth, the seeds were germinated by the Forest Service. Known as the “Moon Trees,” the resulting seedlings were planted throughout the United States (often as part of the nation’s bicentennial in 1976) and the world. They stand as a tribute to astronaut Roosa and the Apollo program.
Loudon County's Moon Tree: Dr. Krugman gave a sickly Sweetgum sapling to R. Max Peterson, Deputy Chief of the Forest Service and a resident of Leesburg. Mr. Peterson managed to nurse it back to health. It was planted in its current location around September of 1978. Its growth was somewhat slowed at 8-10 feet tall, as the deer had a tendency to rub their horns on it. Today, the tree stands approximately 60 feet in height and is thriving. It may be the last remaining Sweetgum Moon Tree. In late 2023, two Sweetgums growing in Tell City, IN, after years of declining health, were cut down. The health of a single Sweetgum planted in Brazil is unknown. These are the only four Sweetgum Moon Trees documented.