The Preachers Stone

GC18NGR

39° 24.420N
74° 55.072W

Well, today was an interesting day. I awoke and Gert and I decided to meet after work at the in-laws. I expressed that I would like to complete a cache before I went over. On my way to my in-laws in the morning to drop Fritz off, I felt chest pains as I drove down Garden Rd. For the past few days I have been experiencing twinges in my right side. I was scared. While I felt all right, I decided I should go to the doctor.

I dropped Fritz off and headed right to work. I asked if a substitute could be found. Not much concern was shown and after the ball was dropped, I mentioned that I “needed” to go to the doctor. I should have followed that up with, “Don’t say anything.” I didn’t and all hysteria broke out.

A few minutes later the nurse and VP came bolting down the hallway for me. Despite my protestations otherwise, they insisted they drive me to the doctor, while the other drove my truck. I acquiesced. I handed my keys to the nurse who took off. I sought out the VP; she had gone too. Splendid! The patient was left behind. How comical!

Eventually they figured out what was wrong and came back for me. I got in to see the doctor. I had an EKG and a test for osteoporosis (why?). We chatted and I explained what had been going on. He thought it was muscular and not heart/lung-related. That was a relief. And the more I think about it, the more I agree. Nevertheless, I am going for a stress test.

Feeling better, having a clean bill of health, and off for the rest of the day, what was I supposed to do? I wasn’t certain where I was heading, but I figured this rainy day deserved some splashing about.

I finally decided to head out here. It sounded as though it would fit the bill today. And did it!

I loved the road in. This is a reminder as to why I fixed the Explorer rather than buy new. Bouncing along, I had a great time splashing through. I wasn’t sure how far I could go, but it appears all but the last 400-500′.

Silly me, I headed right for the water. As I dipped high, low, and around the briars, I saw no crossing. It looked as though I would get a bootful if I leaped. After a couple minutes, I retreated back to the truck to approach differently. D’oh! A trail. It’s supposed to be easier after all this time. :)

The trail took me across and soon I was at an area that looked promising. On my way, I became drenched. Yes, it was raining, but it was the water on the brush that I was moving through that soaked my chinos thoroughly. I waited for Maggy to catch up before moving any further . . . briars were about and I suspected I could avoid them. Yup. A moment later I spotted the stone and part of the cache that was exposed.

If this is indeed a preacher’s stone, it is pretty neat. Nature has re-claimed the land, but it is kind of neat to imagine a congregation at this spot long ago. As I arrived and all through my time at the cache, the heavens opened up. It was as if evil had been here and God, a revengeful god, tried to cleanse the area. Signing the logbook during the battle was rough and I suspect my log will run.

I took a few photographs and then headed back out. By the time I returned to the truck, the rain had subsided. Now it was time to splash all the way out.

I’ve been back several of these roads out here, but had never been on this one before. What a fun outing!

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