Tennis Ball Mine Traditional Geocache
-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(micro)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
One of two known natural Tennis Ball Mines.
I was going to make this an Earth-Cache, but after discussing with several friends over at the USGS, I felt it was not appropriate to fan the flames on this controversial subject. The controversy is whether or not Tennis Ball Mines are geological phenomena. Many scientists are perplexed. One day it may be resolved, but for now it remains a Geological Mystery.
There are two known natural Tennis Ball Mines in the world. One mine has not been seen by Westerners for over 50 years as it is located about 30 miles East of Pyongyang in North Korea. The remnants of the other known Tennis Ball Mine can be seen from the Alameda Creek Trail. This Mine operated for over 30 years until the early 1900's. The mine was almost exhausted of its Tennis Ball Ore by 1909 when the entrance to the mine collapsed. It is said that the collapse of the mine buried the 43rd ranked Tennis Player in the world, who had he won Wimbledon the month before he died, could have afforded to buy his own Tennis Balls instead of having to dig for them out here along the Alameda Creek Trail.
You can still see some Tennis Balls in the mine tailings at the former entrance to the mine shaft, but do not cross the fence and try to dig your own Tennis Balls. The fence is there for a reason, to prevent you from the same fate of the 43rd ranked Tennis Player in 1909. You can now buy synthetic Tennis Balls at most Sporting Goods Stores.
Put the cache back as you found it for others to enjoy.
Congrats to dj's for the FTF!!!
2012-12-15 Update: The Tailings of the Tennis Ball Mine appear to have been scoured of all Tennis Balls. There may still be a few, but there are nowhere near as many as when the cache was first placed. Should you not believe the story of this Tennis Ball Mine, please check out the photo titled "Tennis Ball Mine Tailings" and zoom in as needed.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
V guvax V unir n zntargvp crefbanyvgl, ohg zl Jvsr fnlf V qba'g. Oryvrir zl Jvsr.