Walk in (and we mean it) accommodations for bugs of all sizes and types. Follow the bird seed trail of 8 easy P&G’s (no two alike) leading to Philbert Phlamingo’s TB Hotel in Epworth Forest. The resort is located in a tiny section of woods on a peninsula surrounded by scenic Lake Webster. This is a safe place for trackables to rest. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR YOUR ARRIVAL:
#1 Look for the easy to
spot "Signal the Frog" geocaching parking sign when you head down Susanna Lane. Susanna Lane is a single lane dead end with absolutely no room to turn around so be sure to use the provided parking area.
#2 From the parking area walk further down Susanna Lane to the clearly marked trailhead leading to ground zero. Please do not cut directly through the woods.
#3 The cache is locked. Use your geo sense to unlock it or check out the hint. We are only trying to keep out the muggles, not cachers. This is a fun and easy find for the young and young at heart. Kids can meet Philbert Phlamingo (the bird responsible for putting out all the caches leading to the hotel), his side kick Bob the Bellboy, and Hidey the Parrot. Besides all the fun to open hotel rooms with keys from around the world, they will also find the key to the special “Swag Suite” which we strive to keep filled with clean new items they can choose from to take home as a souvenir. If you or your family are up for an adventure this is where you can pick up free transportation to the water access only island caches nearby. (contact CO’s for information)
For the seasoned TB trader you will find secure, well organized TB housing. Each locked hotel room has a sign on the outside indicating where the bugs inside would like a ride to. New trackables are checked in by hotel management regularly and refurbished if needed before being placed in the appropriate “suite” to await a ride to their next destination. If your drop off is too large to fit into the check in “lobby”, please leave it on the counter and the hotel proprietors will take care of it in short order. This cache is also a Waymark so you can log waymark WMM3ZZ at geocaching's sister site Waymarking.com (your geocaching.com user name and password work there as well) And as a bonus, this site is a Bookcrossing Zone for book drops and pickups (http://www.bookcrossing.com/hunt/1/16/7142/759725)
We try to keep this cache’s trackable inventory accurate and the cache well stocked with great new swag for kids. If you find the inventory wrong or the cache raided and bare (or any problems for that matter) please note it in your log or report the cache as in need of maintenance (the logs are monitored). We take pride in our cache and will attend to it right away. We want you to enjoy your find and the great hobby we share. Cache info:
In its first life this cache was an ammo can located at the trailhead. A lot of logs said it felt awkward with all the houses around so to answer those concerns we changed the location and container to what you find today hidden in the woods. The CO’s still keep an eye on it but only to keep the cache and TBs safe from muggles, not to bother cachers. The cache building itself was purchased from Menards. Originally the intent was a storage shed for canoe paddles and life vests. Rick, one of the CO’s quickly saw a caching opportunity and ran it by his cohort in caching Diane. Diane agreed and the project was launched in early spring of 2016. Rick built the cabinets, counters, and the “hotel room tower” mostly out of left over wood from remodeling projects at the nearby log cabin “Mingo Manor”. Philbert Phlamingo, the desk clerk, used to reside in the log cabin until he got his new job here. Philbert’s former job was as photo mascot for the CO’s waymarking adventures. Philbert can be seen in over 1000 waymarking visit pictures at Waymarking.com under “dnrseekers” (waymarking is geocaching’s sister site of what used to be “virtual caches” here on geocaching.com). The key fobs and keys on the hotel rooms came from around the world and are the original “real thing”. They were purchased from ebay. Hidey the Parrot came from Algodones Mexcio. She was purchased on a vacation trip there and had no idea she would soon meet the love of her life in North Webster Indiana (she is a legal immigrant and hopes to become a U.S. citizen should she and Philbert get married). Picture frames and accessories came from the local Goodwill store. As for the meaning of the occasional plastic pink yard flamingo you might encounter in the area, there is none. Pink yard flamingos need to explanation; they just are what they are, tacky and fun. And last, yet most important, this cache is placed in honor of D's mom, Mary, whose generosity made the purchase of this property possible. Mary is dearly missed and loved today just as she was when she passed away in March of 2013. Thank you Mary for letting us share with others this little piece of paradise that your current landlord made for us here on earth. (and pardon the flamingos please)
Hint:
Philbert’s girl friend, Hidey the Parrot, holds the key to Pilberts heart and cache. Fish around a little bit and see if you can spot her in the trees. The area's premiere travel bug hotel with scenic views overlooking Lake Webster and a CURRENT inventory list! Let your bugs vacation where recreation abounds. We have water tight indoor living, woods to explore, nearby lake water sports, cool shade in the summer & natural wind protection from the elements in the winter. While you're here dropping off & picking up those bugs grab a prize for the kidlet. The hotel is ready for young human visitors too with special take home souvenirs
The hotel is ready for young human visitors too with great NEW take home souvenirs in the Kid’s Swag Vault.
