Update June, 2023: Some park work has required a re-routing for this cache. The photos have been updated.
THE INSPIRATION (1%)
Masks, telework, social distancing, quarantine, stay-at-home - 2020 will be remembered as the year of the coronavirus pandemic. This letterbox cache was inspired by three events during the pandemic, including events that were both fun and celebratory.
When stay-at-home orders were first issued in the Virginia-Maryland-DC area in March and April, the Northern Virginia Geocaching Organization (NOVAGO) was treated to a GeoQuarantine Photo Contest by our very own Zippy Finn. Memorable themes included Creeping Crud, Think of the Children!, Bat Soup, Netflix, Doctor(ed) Photos, Social Distancing, and Sickest Cache. At a time when most of us couldn't get out geocaching, it was a welcome distraction. I was fortunate enough to win a custom-made Zippy Finn coronavirus stamp. A print from that stamp is shown below and, if you are persistent enough to find this letterbox, you too can add that print to your own letterbox logbook!
The second event that inspired this letterbox occurred on June 7, 2020. I'm of a certain age that I still get a printed newspaper and I've long made a habit of reading the comics first. They provide a laugh in a sea of otherwise troubling news. On Sunday, June 7th, cartoonists hid images in their strips to honor the essential workers of the pandemic. Shopping carts (grocery store workers), microscopes (scientists), steering wheels (delivery drivers), apples (teachers), forks (restaurant workers) and masks (health care workers) appeared in comic strips. One of the best is shown below from one of the best-named comic strips ever (Rhymes with Orange; think about it).
The final inspiration ... well, you'll have to find the cache to learn that one!
A few simple rules
1) Permission for this cache was generously given by the Fairfax Country Park Authority. Absolutely no night caching allowed.
2) The stamp and ink pad are part of the letterbox. Do not remove - they are not swag!
3) Please do not reveal the 3rd inspiration for this cache. Details are given on the inside cover of the logbook. Participation is appreciated, but entirely optional. Only signing the log is required.
4) Please do not post pointers to the final location, including alternative parking locations or routes. Please let those that haven't experienced this wonderful park enjoy all it has to offer.
The Perspiration (99%)
The listed coordinates will take you to the starting point. When you reach a point in the path where you have multiple choices, just follow the footprints. Going off trail is only needed at the very end. And don't forget to look for the hidden symbols!
Okay, you probably won't see this nice buck on your walk, but he was there when I placed the cache.
The End!
Congratulations to Malanka86 for the FTF!
BEST OTHER (WHERIGO, LETTERBOX, EVENT) CACHE NOMINEE
