In 2017, Cache Owner Charlie Hunters hides a cache in a line of poetry. We go seeking sages . . . or oranges . . . or trunks.
In long ago memory, in northern Delaware County, stands the 1800’s village of Stratford, home to mill workers, a church, and a cemetery. Making his fortune as a judge and bank president, Hosea Williams acquires the mill just behind the “Old Stone Church” and cemetery. Six generations later, Gale Warner takes her grandfather’s 236 acres, surrounding the original mill site, and creates the Stratford Ecological Center.
After a lifetime of flying across the world as a peacemaker at Russian war tables, Gale returns to her inheritance, a tiny spot of land where she brings to life her ideals of social and personal empowerment.
Bringing peace to the earth and the Two-leggeds who walk upon it, Gale designs a microcosm of ecological balance, spread forth in a simple yet enticing environmental education/nature center.
Instead of hungry developers quilting an upscale golf course, Gale feeds an entire county with a patchwork of vernal ponds, woods, creeks, gardens, and Four-leggeds.
Today’s joy breaks forth and washes over us, in the fresh green buds, warble of birds, and whispering reeds of Gale’s dream come true.
Under the watchful eye of swooping tree swallows, we begin our quest. The nesting boxes provide shelter for young ones not yet born, while parents-to-be take advantage of the prairie to collect their allotted 2,000 insects for the day.
Continuing on our way, we follow the trails of creatures who call this woods home.
Grass turns to soil churned by spring storms. Two paths diverge . . . into a muddy wood . . . or back to civilization. And we, we took the one . . . .
Well, we’re geocaching–what did you expect the answer would be?!
For 33 years, since the ODNR established 95 acres of Stratford as the Stratford Woods State Nature Preserve, fresh spring rains have watered the ground beneath our feet. This time maybe a little bit too much.
Today would have been a great day at the mill as the stream churns and foams beneath us. Keeping our eyes on the prize, we cross the bridge without loss of life, limb, or camera.
As a final challenge, we crest the top of the hill to find Stratford’s Historic Cemetery sprawled out before us. We stand on the same ground as 1812 war veteran Colonel Forrest Meeker and his wife Patience. In 1816, they say goodbye to their darling six-year-old, laid to rest as the cemetery’s first resident. In the background, a careful mathematician realizes Capt. Kooken could not have fought in the Revolutionary War . . . and makes the correction, 2023 style.
Here the CO pays tribute to the sages who lived . . . and died young . . . on the Ohio frontier. Two centuries later, war over this land has ceased. Visitors come and go, adding their respects.
The hidey-hole is perfect. Now in its third life of ownership, the cache adopts a new human.
As the silent forest leaves us behind, spatters of spring arch over the tumbling, boisterous roller coaster below, on its journey toward waterfalls, and those who search them out in this Season of Singing Streams.
Down the road, the Old Stone Church chooses a new owner. The architect, who spent three years adding ductwork, electrical lines, plumbing, drywall, floors, ceiling and insulation, comes to mow the lawn around his office. Deep roots stretching upward through generations bring the work of joy, creation, fellowship, service, and passion to this spot once again.
OH Love Of Geocaching 