Cache of the Month - December 2008

seven tee 5 (GC186NA) by programmer64                 Difficulty:       Terrain: 

by MuckSavage

It's often said that "it's the journey that matters, not the destination."

Pre-planning, a decent length hike, and a well-stocked cache at the end of it all are just a few things that make a great cache.

"Seven tee 5" is just one of those caches that combines everything that's mentioned above.  Located around the Wheelabrator Wildlife Refuge Center, in Westville.  Seven tee 5 takes you through a nature preserve complete with wooded paths, footbridges, and wildlife viewing stands.

Before beginning your journey, it is imperative that you check the tides and plan your hunt accordingly.  The tide moves fast here (see MuckSavage's log).  The hike is about 3 miles roundtrip and there is an opportunity to pick up a few caches along the way to break up the hike.  Keep this in mind with your arrival at the water's edge, though.

The final stages of the hike will have you out on a limb, so-to-speak.  You'll think there's lots of CITO to be done, but have a look at some trash.  Some of it is pretty interesting.  One might consider some of it to be a sort of "Time capsule of life on the river."  I liked examining many of the trees and how the water alters their trunks and root systems.

To aid in your quest, search "Tides, Route 47 Bridge, Westville, NJ."  A pair of rubber boots may come in handy.  This isn't a place to come to and forget your pen!

Seven tee 5 is truly a cache that lives up to my personal motto:  "Tread Lightly & Go Prepared!"

Tide Tables for Big Timer Creek:  2008  |  2009  |  2010

Current Tide Table

Nearby:

• Eagle Scout Project Waymark (WM3KAF)

• Down By The River by APV (GC1027Y)

• The Water's Edge by programmer64 (GCKYJ5)

• Winter Warlock @Wheelabrator by Winter Warlock (P64) (GCRN0Z)

• Micro Mania I by APV (GC18J3V)

Location shows why it's important to check the tide tables!	Why it's important to wear boots! (photo by Evanspack)
At high tide this is under 3-4 feet of water (photo by MikeOtt)	Can't you see it?  Best to walk around (photo by MikeOtt)
View of the Philadelphia skyline from cache (photo by cruzn4cache)	Forces of nature expose tree roots (photo by cruzn4cache)

Cache of the Month Feature

The Cache of the Month Committee is looking for nominations for the next Cache of the Month (COTM) from the South Jersey Geocaching membership.  The candidate cache must be an active cache in South Jersey (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Ocean, and Salem counties).  Consideration of nearby caches outside this area is on an exception basis.

The selection process is the following:

• Caches can be nominated by either posting a note on a SJG forum thread, or by sending a note to one of the committee members
• The committee will review the nominations and select the Cache of the Month
• The cache will be written up and presented on the SJG site
• Shameless self-promotion of your own caches is permitted
• Old caches and new caches alike can be nominated
• Active caches only, please.  Not much point to highlighting a cache that is no longer around or out of commission
• Large and small caches can be considered.  We are just looking for caches with that "wow" factor.

The Cache of the Month is meant to highlight those fun, out-of-the-ordinary, standout caches so that all the members of the club can get an opportunity to learn about these caches and visit them.

The Committee

The Cache of the Month Committee consists of the following cachers:

Feel free to contact any of the committee members if you have any questions.  We are inventing the process as we go so your indulgence will be appreciated.  Feel free to make comments and suggestions!  As with any new process, it will change and evolve as we go.  So please think about those special caches you have visited and would recommend to your friends, and consider nominating them for Cache of the Month.