Monday, February 10th - Geocaching and Geocaching Conversation

Today was the day for our recycled items to be picked up. All the bins on the streets in Crown Colony reminded me of sentinels standing guard.

 

We went to Wa-Ke Hatchee Park this morning to look for a geocache. Wa-ke Hatchee combines  the Native American names of "cow" and "water." A creek cuts through the 50-acre property and this watering hole was an important spot for the old Florida Cowboys as the last source of fresh water for their cattle as they headed to Punta Rassa for shipment by boat to Cuba.

 

We met a local resident who informed us that alligators reside in both of the lakes. Sure enough, he pointed out the gators that were lazing around in the water. They were not easy to see because they were in sections of the lake that were scum covered and they blended in very well. Even though we have been told that alligators only need to eat once every couple of weeks and that they are active at night, we still were cautious while we were walking close to the water.

For a rather small lake, there was a good variety of wild life around it today. We saw ibises, American coots and mallards, as well as an anhinga that is easy to recognize by its black and white feathers.

 

 

We noticed an eagle perched on the top of a light pole which was a bit of a surprise since we usually see them in tall trees.

 

We invited a local geocacher, Brian Wyllie, for dinner with us tonight. I prepared chicken parmesan, one of our favorite dishes.

 

 

 

Brain has placed 79 caches and many that we have found are very unique and challenging. We wanted to “pick his brain” and he was very forthcoming with information and tips—especially for one of his puzzle caches they we had not been able to find.

 

We reluctantly called an end to the evening with promises to spend some more time with him before we leave Florida.