Find #129 1015/Entropy (GCYVQK)

I'm putting this cache in this listing not because it is one of my favorites, but because it was my nemesis for quite a while.  I found the first stage of this cache rather easily, however when I got to the final stage and I thought I found the right place according to the hints, it was nowhere to be found.

I don't think anyone will be driving this anywhere anytime soon!

This one is located in Smedley Park, Springfield, PA.  Although, the section of the park this cache is in is relatively close to Media, PA.  I returned to this cache multiple times scouring about a 50 + food area surrounding the final coordinates.  Every time coming up with nothing.  I finally contacted the owner and told them something was up who was no help what so ever and only wished me luck.  On one occasion someone reported finding the cache so I returned again only to not find it once again.  On this visit, I actually found a small scrap of what looked like used to be a geocaching sticker. After contacting the finder and questioning them, turns out they did not really find it and were newbies and didn't know the first stage was not it and put a piece of paper in it and signed it.  Oy!

BMX jumps nearby this cache

I contacted the cache owner once more and informed him of this and still nothing was done.  I told him I was not looking for his cache anymore until he confirmed it was actually there.  A couple of months went by and low and behold an update was posted indicating the cache was there.  I went to the site, not even using my GPS and found it instantly!  I was relieved to check that one off my list!  And it was the first on my run of 10 caches found on 10/10/10.

Find #128 Woodley Devil (GC15DFP)

This was a very large 10 stage cache covering the major part of a park, if you can call it that.  No trails whatsoever and a large amount of brush and swamp!  No wonder they call it the Woodley "Devil".  

This cache was memorable not just because it took a good part of the day caching, but I met up with fellow on-line caching friend BenamBenam3.  It is always nice to bump into a fellow cacher, but to actually join one in a hunt is great!  Several others were supposed to join us to tame the devil, but no other dared.  

Things went relatively smoothly until around stage 3 or 4 when we ended up having to trudge through what amounted to a swamp to get to the stage.  At least we didn't have to find containers, just small metal tags which were relatively easy to spot...  most of the time.

We had some company at stage 6

We got hung up on stage 6 for quite a while.  However, we amused ourselves by collecting golf balls and forming a golf ball "grave yard" of sorts.  The woods at stage 4 were filled with them.  Golfers must have used the adjacent field to practice their driving skills. I have to say that BenamBenam3 contributed the most to the pile.  We also managed to find a toy machine gun which became BenamBenam3's prize possession!    

BenamBenam3 and the infamous "golf ball graveyard"

Perhaps it was a sign of things to come when we got stuck on stage 6

We finally caved and called for some hints.  Within about 20 minutes we finally found it.  We were then able to move on and finish up the final 4 stages.

BenamBenam3 goes commando with the machine gun

After trying to dodge poison ivy on stage 6, BenamBenam3 went commando with the toy machine gun we found :)  Too funny!  We were quite glad to finish that one after it seemed that we dodged the poison ivy for nothing and were quite glad to get to the final stage and to have tamed the "Woodley Devil".

Newlin Mill Park

This was an awesome little park that I never new existed.  I was greeted in the parking lot by a buzzard that came right up to my car door.  Of course as I dug out my camera to snap a picture, he scampered off.  This place was the sight of a former grist mill and was a rail road stop on the Pennsylvania Rail Road.  This park is currently home to 3 caches.

The falls at the Newlin Grist Mill

The blacksmith shop at Newlin Mill Park

Lot of trails at Newlin Mill

Some of the trails are on the old rail bed and is bordered by nifty little ponds, streams, and small waterfalls.  I plan on revisiting this park even if there are no new caches there!

Some of our fine feathered friends

Former railway bridge on the old rail bed

Find #116 St. Davids Dome (GCMDFJ)

I have driven by this spot many times over the past 15 years and I have always wondered what this structure was.  Thanks to Geocaching and the placement of this cache, I had an excuse to get an up close and personal look.  Very cool place.  I always thought this thing was hollow, but it is solid rocks!  Bumped into another geocacher as I had the cache open and was signing the log.

St. David's Dome - Villanova, PA

View from the dome to the north west towards Radnor, PA

View of the stone dragon across the hill

View from the dome to the north east towards Villanova, PA

Find #114 Rock n Roll (GCHT3J)

This cache was hidden away in the heart of Ridley Creek State Park.  Contained a awesome collection of CDs, hence the name.  The nearby boulders were freakin' huge!  That is what I remember most about this cache.

That was one BIG boulder!

Pictures don't do it justice...

Find #112 Bird bus (GC189Z8)

I love visiting historical places and although this one was not significant, it was pretty cool looking none the less.  This cache is also a memorable one to me because I had to think like a bird to get to it.  It was kind of crazy!

100th FIND!! - More Railroad History ( GCZ58Q )

My 100th!  Wahooo!  This cache took a while as it was scattered in three stages across about a 10 square mile area.  The first two stages were historical sign markers.  The last, being a micro cache was at the location of what used to be a old railway station.  

 Some of the old track can be seen in the wooded area

  

There are double tracks in the middle of the woods where the cache is located.  It was kind of neat.  Lots of old relics (along with some plain modern day junk) in this spot.  I believe the old station or part of it is still standing nearby and is now a restaurant.

100th Find!

Find #99 He Was Mad! ( GCYQAF )

This cache has significant historical importance as it is hidden on the former estate of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne.  General Wayne won his claim to fame during the Revolutionary War.  He commanded the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment at the battles Brandywine, Paoli, and Germantown.  

 Former estate of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne

He later led the Continental forces at the Battle of Monmouth.  Followed later in the war by the Battles of Stoney Point and Green Spring.  Stoney Point was his most successful campaign of the Revolutionary War.  After serving as a statesman, General Wayne was later called back into service to lead forces during the Indian Wars at Fort Recovery and the Battle of Fallen Timbers.

Wayne died in 1796 while returning to Pennsylvania from a western military post.  He was buried at Fort Presque Isle which later became Erie, Pennsylvania. There was a blockhouse named after him which is still standing today.  

His family later had his remains moved to the family plot in St. Davids Episcopal Church in Radnor, Pennsylvania which is the site of another related cache.

Find #87 REVOLUTIONARY WAR RUINS ( GC19FB )

This cache is located at the site of a stand off between British Red Coats and Mary Taylor Frazier during the Revolutionary War.  The British were planning to capture Colonel Persifor Frazier, but he had escaped.  Mary stayed behind to protect the farm and property.

The location of the trail head to this cache is near the old Locksley rail station

The ruins of the old Frazier Farm

The ruins of the Frazier farm have been preserved in remembrance of the Frazier's fight for freedom.  This site is located in Bonner Park in Thornbury Township, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.

I love this plant.  I would really like to know what it is called.  I dubbed it the "lily pad tree".  It looks like you are underwater looking up through lily pads.

Close up of the fireplace detail in the old house ruins

One of a couple of still standing stone piers which most likely marked the entrance to the farm

If you choose to walk the rail line instead of taking the trails, be careful because the rail lines are active and part of the West Chester Railway. It was once part of the Pennsylvania Railroad.  They give touring rides from West Chester to Glen Mills station.

Watch out if you choose to walk the rails to the cache instead of the trails.  It is an active railway!

Find #85 The Look ( GC1E2AD )

"The look" is located above what seems like America's version of the white cliffs of Dover called White Banks.  This is a great view off of a rock cliff that is almost pure white in places.  Unfortunately, when I found the cache at this site, it was vandalized and there was not much left but a plastic bag.

White Banks of Elk Neck

View out towards the remainder of the Chesapeake Bay and the open ocean.  The small island is located just off shore of the lower point of the Aberdeen Proving Grounds

A view almost straight down from the top of the cliffs.  The top part of the pic is not sky, it is water

View of the Havre de Grace area from the White Banks

Trail map of Elk Neck State Park

Find #80 Elk Neck-Best View Ever!! ( GC920F )

Located at Turkey Point at the very southern tip of Elk Neck State Park, this truly was one of the best views ever!  There is a light house located at the point as well.  This is a great place to visit even if you are not looking for caches!

Now there is something you don't see everyday!

The lighthouse at Turkey Point

Me in front of "The best view ever"

View of light house with the bay to the south

Find #78 Soaking In The Sun ( GC19A81 )

This was my first Maryland cache find.  A great view from the water's edge of Elk Neck State Park of the Chesapeake Bay.  

 Great view of the Chesapeake Bay from just off the parking area

 Havre de Grace and Charlestown areas across the bay

The trails were very well kept and easy to use. There was lots of wildlife to see as well.  Deer, hawks, and yes, snakes also.  There was a great view of the Havre de Grace and Charlestown across the water.

I wasn't the only one using the trails that day.  This deer didn't want to move very quickly.

All creatures great and small...  notice the fly to the left of the butterfly

Great view from the cache site

Tug boat heading inland

Find #77 Waterfall Madness ( GC2DBYK )

This was a great little waterfall and pool in the Aston area.  One of my favorite areas I have visited so far.

Trail leading to the waterfall

Waterfall and pool

Nice little fishing area across the pool

The area looked like it may have been used as a canal.  This may be the reason for the dam that forms the waterfall.  Down stream from the falls is what appears like an old raised tow path and a canal next to the stream.

Close up of the falls

Nature's embrace

Possibly an old tow path and maybe a canal