A (WAY) OUT HOUSE AFTER A LONG DAY

Two days later we were at it again. BatikFreak10 (worthy sister), wiscongranny (dear wife person), and I headed out for what would prove to be a very long day.

Our first cache stop also gave us an opportunity to view the present state of education in western Greenbrier Co. WV. Things like this are all too common in todays world. I wonder if the "educators" here even noticed the misspelling or just didn't bother to care.

BatikFreak10 had wanted to collect a cache we had placed in remote Greenbrier Co at a wind generator site, so after she captured that one we headed out for the rest of the day.

This has to be the biggest cache I've ever found.

If you happen to meet BatikFreak10, ask her about wind generators.

One of the advantages of spring geocaching is the chance to see all the latest offerings from the world of plants and flowers. We all seem to enjoy seeing them as they arrive for the season:

As best I can identify this one, it seems to be Golden Ragwort. But there are many other ragworts that are quite similar in appearance. It takes a trained eye to spot all the differences.

Star Chickweed, although it doesn't look like a weed to me.

We checked two different flower and plant guides but never did find anything even close to this little guy. Do you know what it is? Please leave a comment if you do.

You may not be able to see it here, but I am standing in several inches of water. The good news it that I'm standing on a flat rock. The not so good news is that a few seconds earlier I was standing in mud, and several more inches of water. But the cache was on the other side of the ditch and there was no place else to stand.

Geocachers have to be willing to be...well...mildly inconvenienced for their sport

Several of our finds today were located along a fairly new rail trial. Although the B&O RR left the area many years ago, traces still remain of their presence. A box of unknown use slowly returns to the natural world.

Joyce (aka wiscongranny) poses in front of a view of the Gauley River at a spot known as "Crupperneck Bend", a turn of more than 180*. The B&O grade mentioned (and pictured) above extended beside the river below as the railroad once made its way north and to the outside world.

Finally, we had to admit that we had been out a long time and were in need of a rest stop. How very convenient when we found this luxury rest facility. Evidently there had been a house, or some other place habitable by our fellow man for extended periods located near this spot. All that now remains is this decaying outhouse. Soon it will be just a pile of rotting boards covered by the encroaching plants, and when enough time passes, even that will disappear.

We'd been out for a long day, more than 12 hours and more than a few miles. We'd had a nice time and seen some wonderful scenery during our trip. There were some quiet and tired little geocachers in the truck during the long drive home.
A COMMENT ON TODAYS WORLD:
We all know the price of gas today. As this is being written a gallon of regular gas costs $3.99+. During our two days of geocaching in one week we filled the tank twice. Total cost $150.00!! While I don't plan on giving up a hobby I enjoy, I think we will probably have to reduce the frequency of our trips. We are truly fortunate in that we are retired and don't have to drive to work every day. The hardship placed upon those who have to travel every day has got to be enormous.