Islands In the Stream by mikeott
Islands In the Stream
by mikeott
Photographer: Mary Maxwell
It's August. It's hot. It's really hot! So what better time to do this cache where the only way to it is a water route. As Mike Ott states: "Unless you can broad jump 30 feet or take fishing waders, you will get wet."
Mike Ott created Islands in the Stream as a water challenge. Since this review is appearing on the Delaware Geocacher's Web Site, most readers will be well aware that Delaware has recently experienced a number of rain storms each of which has dumped multiple inches of rain. As a result there has been flooding throughout the state. But when designing this site, Mike thought ahead. He notes: "The cache is an ammo container stocked with fancy sea shells. It is attached to a large tree so it doesn’t float downstream when high water occurs. There is good chance it will be underwater 1-2 days every year."
Mike placed this cache back in May of 2003 making it one of the older Delaware Geocaches. The log currently shows 52 entries. Some are DNF (did not finds) but not because the hide was so difficult. Instead, some folks encountered water that was too high or too cold. Some encountered muggles.
The cache is located in the White Clay Creek as it flows near the White Clay Creek State Park. From October through July State Parks are free to the public. But even during the months when admission is charged at the park, there are no access fees for this area. Hikers, picnickers, swimmers, fishers, and all manner of folks congregate here. One thing you will not find is bikes. At the entrance to a path along the creek bank there is a sign prohibiting riding bikes on the trails and noting a fine for being caught doing so.
As can be seen in these photos, taken by Mary Maxwell of the maxiam team, getting there is part of the fun. Where else do you get a chance to find out if your GPS is really as waterproof as the manufacturer says it is?
As Mike notes, "unless you decide to try within 24 hours of heavy rain, fording the stream should not get you wet above the waist, or with the correct approach the stream depth should be 18” or less where the current is faster."
Water depth does change quite a bit. In some areas it is quite shallow and at other points it gets waist deep. If you look closely at the photo on the left you can spy the shallow part in the upper left of the pictures. Notice also that these are "mini" rapids.
Keeping your footing in this swift current is a bit of a trick. And, even when you get to the deep water you need to be on guard. The creek bed is lined with slippery smooth stones. Depths can changes in a few feet of walking.
Here Jerry Maxwell, of the Maxiam team, shows that not far from shore the water can get deep. That walking stick he is carrying was for use on the island. It didn't help much with fording the creek!
Most of the creek bed is open and sunny. While there are a number of beautiful mature trees all along the banks and on the islands, there's ample open space for your GPS to grab a strong lock on the satellites.
While walking in the creek the big question is "How can I tell when I've found an island." Another big question is "How can I tell when one island ends and another begins?" And, then there's the question," Just how many islands are there?" Fortunately your GPS should be able to keep you moving in the correct direction!
In this photo you can get an idea of the width of the creek. We're not telling whether that's an island on the left or not.
Once you found an island the question is whether to search at the water's edge or to go onto the island and search there. Again, we're not telling. All we will say is - trust your GPS.
While some cachers have gone for a stroll in the creek in the months of Dec, Jan, Feb and March this cache is certainly refreshing on a hot summer day. Oh, and by the way, if you think you might wait until winter so you can walk over on a ice cover - forget it. The White Clay Creek flows too swiftly to freeze over - as some thoroughly chilled geocachers have discovered.
So if the summer heat is getting to you, come try this one. This is one cache where finding it will make you feel better in several ways!