As you pass through Randle on Hwy 12, you may notice a lovely garden on the east side of town with a distinctive Blue Star Memorial Highway marker. This public area is maintained by the Illahee Garden Club as part of the Blue Star Memorial Program.
The large, well-kept garden is filled with a variety of flowers, plants, and trees, many labeled for identification. Take a few moments to walk through - there are several distinctive "looks," and each is beautiful in its own way. When we placed the cache in July, we saw a beautiful hydrangea in bloom as well as other flowering plants.
The Blue Star Memorial Program honors all men and women who serve in the United States Armed Services. The program began in 1944 as a living tribute to veterans of World War II. The blue star had became an icon during the war and was seen on flags and banners in homes for sons and daughters away at war, and in churches and businesses. In 1945, the National Council of State Garden Clubs adopted the program and began the Blue Star Highway System that covers thousands of miles across all 50 states.
A metal Blue Star Memorial Highway marker is placed in each garden with the name of the garden club responsible for maintaining it. Today, the program has expanded to include all veterans who have served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces.
The cache: You'll find the cache in the eastern side of the garden and a lovely terraced area. There's room for several cars to pull off the highway and park.
2016 was the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service, and to celebrate, Visit Rainier and WSGA hosted the Visit Rainier Centennial GeoTour - 100 caches placed in and around Mount Rainier National Park. The geocaches highlighted the rich history, scenic wonders, quaint communities, and hidden gems of the Rainier region. Participants received geocoin and pathtag prizes for finding all the caches.
