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Cache Me If You Can
Do you like treasure hunting and technology? Turn your eagle watching experience into an "Eagle Caching" adventure where you seek and find the best places to watch the eagles. "Eagle Caching" combines the tradition of eagle watching with the technological treasure hunt called geo-caching. Geo-caching is a sport in which the technology savvy outdoorsmen, women and children use clues and coordinates to find small containers filled with treasure called caches. The event is open to everyone with a GPS navigator.
EAGLE CACHING LOCATIONS
Navigate your way to the eagle watching hot spots. Once you're at the site, grab your GPS and use the listed coordinates to find a hidden cache. You should only have a 15 to 30 feet radius to search. Decrypt the clues for an extra hint to help find the cache. Once you've found the cache, sign the log book and find the treasure inside. Below you will find a listing for the Eagle Caching locations throughout the Alton Region. In placing caches, we worked with our partners and respected their wishes in posting information on the cache. When permission was granted, caches were posted at geocaching.com. We would encourage you to log your visits to the sites at geocaching.com. For others, please feel free to visit drop us note and tell us about your eagle caching adventure.
Use the key below to decrypt the clues!
Decryption Key
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M
--------------------------------
N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
(letter above equals below,
and vice versa)
Clifton Terrace - Getting to the Root of Clifton Terrace
Size:  (Small) Difficulty:  Terrain: 
Coordinates: N 38 55.682 W 090 15.164
Elevation: 481ft
CLUE: Gur ebnq znl abg or lryybj, ohg sbyybj gur cngu gb bar bs gurfr frira.
Clifton Terrace was known for its development by the man Lewis Stritz. Over 100 years ago, he built the Clifton Terrace Inn and planted a vineyard on the site. The cellar he built on the property is still intact and behind an iron gate within the rock. Once a landing for boats, picnics and gatherings for companies, the terrace hosted some of the areas premiere residents. Now the terrace is a place for visitors to enjoy a playground, trail and prime river view.
Elsah - Bridging the Gap in Elsah
Size: (Small) Difficulty:  Terrain:
Coordinates: N 38 57.116 W 090 21.713
Elevation: 450ft
CLUE: Oevqtr gur tnc orgjrra gjb fgbarf.
A river town full of history, most of Elsah's structures date back to the 19th century. Browse the historic streets and take in the feeling of a community hardly touched by the fast-paced world. Elsah is known by the locals as a treasure, and each year attracts numerous tourists from the surrounding area looking for a peaceful getaway. Plan a little rest and relaxation at a bed and breakfast or simply explore a few of their gorgeous structures. Plus, a visit to this serene small village will be a great chance to watch the grace and beauty of the American bald eagle.
The Palisades - Signs from Summer Swim Days
Size: (Small) Difficulty: Terrain:
Coordinates: N 38Ú 58.067 W 090Ú 24.595
Elevation: 445ft
CLUE: Gbb pbyq gb fjvz, ohg fvta va gb nqq fbzr rkgen urng gb lbhe uhag.
An exciting stop in the summer, the Palisades hosts the ever-popular Raging Rivers Water Park. Just as exciting in the winter are its visits paid by the American Bald Eagle. Park at the temporarily closed water park and dream of the warmer weather you will enjoy next spring. But for the time being, enjoy the cold temperatures like the eagles do and explore a favorite migration route this winter.
Grafton Riverfront - Lighting the Way for the Eagles
Size: (Small) Difficulty: Terrain:
Coordinates: N 38Ú 58.085 W 090Ú 26.033
Elevation: 432ft
CLUE: Yrg gur yvtug thvqr lbhe srrg gb gur jngre'f onax.
Recently constructed along the Mississippi River in Grafton, Illinois on Vine Street, the lighthouse was dedicated to its visionary, Larry Wright. Open to foot traffic and near the public boat-launching ramp, visit the beacon of light and its visible red and white stripes. Wright proposed the project to serve as a beacon of light along the river, one that would prove Grafton's resilience after the Flood of 1993. Honor the rise of Grafton as it lights the way for eagles once more.
Brussels Ferry - "Over River" Flight
Size: (Small) Difficulty: Terrain:
Coordinates: N 38Ú 58.070 W 090Ú 29.723
Elevation: 440ft
CLUE: Qba'g pebff gur sreel whfg lrg; Fgbc naq purpx vg bire.
Brussels Ferry has been a take-off point for those looking to adventure across the Illinois River for years. This free ride is popular year-round, but especially during eagle season. Not only just a boat ride for your vehicle, the ferry is a prime place for eagles each winter. Because the ferry churns the waters as it crosses, eagles roost in the surrounding trees waiting for a great catch. Stop and rest as you admire the eagles, or park your car on the ferry and take an exciting eagle adventure across the river.
Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge
Size: (Small) Difficulty: Terrain:
Coordinates: N 38 56.178 W 090 32.417
Elevation: 465ft
CLUE: Hfvat n fpbcr vf rnfl. Svaqvat na rntyr znl cebir zber qvssvphyg.
Part of the Mark Twain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, the Two Rivers refuge is located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Covering the areas of Calhoun, Gilbert Lake, Batchtown, Portage Island and Apple Creek, the refuge plays an important role in helping the more than 200 species of birds that migrate to the area each year. The 8,500 acre complex also houses the wintering American Bald Eagle. Stop by the refuge for assistance in exploring their vast refuge known to host over 1,000 of the wintering birds.
Hardin Riverfront- Riverside Watch
Size: (Small) Difficulty: Terrain:
Coordinates: N 38 58.070 W 090 29.723
CLUE: Qba'g pebff gur sreel whfg lrg; Fgbc naq purpx vg bire.
Once called Child’s Landing after Benjamin Child’s who landed in the area in 1835, now Hardin is the largest of five towns in the small county of Calhoun. The riverfront town is located near the only bridge into the county, the Joe Paige Bridge. The county is almost completely surrounded by the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. The waters attract the great winter travels of the Bald eagle, providing a great place for watching the eagles.
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