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The Tyson's Ghost Mystery Cache

Hidden : 11/17/2004
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This is an offset micro cache, where you have to decipher the clues in order to find the cache. This is not a puzzle cache that can be solved within the comforts of home. You must journey to the posted coordinates and follow the directions.

The Tyson's Ghost is the story of Samantha Bloom, the daughter of Herbert Bloom, a widower and successful landowner in the hills of Virginia near the area that would later be known as Tyson's Corner. His original 800-acre estate, Sam-Cimmeron, was named after his only daughter Samantha who spent her childhood doing what she loved most, riding her father’s famous thoroughbred quarter horses.

As time went by, Tyson's Corner continued to develop and portions of the estate were purchased by wealthy businessmen who were bent on making the busy intersection the city of the future but Herbert Bloom vowed he would never sell Sam-Cimmeron. He promised to leave it to his daughter "Sam," but when the stock market crashed in 1929, he was forced to sell parcels of the main estate until there was only 4 acres left. When Mr. Bloom died in 1933, Samantha was forced to sell the remaining two horses to pay the tax, but she still refused to sell Sam-Cimmeron.

On October 13th 1934, a group of businessmen visited Samantha and, realizing that years of taxed were due, offered to pay her one tenth of what the land was worth. Later that night, Sam-Cimmeron burned to the ground in a mysterious fire, and Samantha was never seen again. Some people say she started the fire herself, and could be heard laughing while the flames engulfed her however, her body was never found. The only thing recovered from the remains of Sam-Cimmeron was the hallway clock, which was frozen at 2:55am.

Today, Tyson's Corner is one of Virginia's busiest intersections. There are corporations and shopping malls covering every piece of land ...except one. On the corner of Tyson's Run and Park Road, there lies a small corner of dense woods that developers have avoided. It seems that every time they have tried to clear the land, there have been numerous misfortunes and industrial accidents that have resulted in several injuries and one death. This small patch of woods is the original site of Sam-Cimmeron. People say it's haunted and some say that every year on October 13th at 2:55am the ghost of Samantha appears.

To find the cache:

From the listed coordinated, follow the black snake as it winds down into the wooded depths. When the snake turns into a minor hydra, do not choose the neck that is remaining or straight, but true. At the Wallace Tower travel west. Past the levee and half way to the falls is a forgotten grove of trees once uprooted. In the midst of this grove is an unnatural frozen ooze. Those brave souls who make it this far may reach under this small mass to claim the prize.

Please let us know if during your journey you see Samantha’s ghost.

Originally placed by JoeCthulhu

Additional Hints (No hints available.)