Only the Hardiest of Cachers... Belle Isle

Normally this time of year I share the annual Belle Isle event photos. 

Budding green trees, blue skies, red bridges, hundreds of smiling faces. It's a Spring right of passage where we transition from the winter-blahs-cabin-fever to adventure-right-around-the-corner. And we really need it this year after this never ending Winter.

Unfortunately, Mother Nature can't read a calendar and Spring didn't show.

Not blurry -- RAIN!

Mid-30's, freezing ice rain, winds whipping up waves. Conditions so bad that I-75 North and South were closed due to accidents (our side had a flipped SUV). 

But, a few hardy souls, the usual suspects, made their annual appearance!

Team Lareau - TaGeez - scrapcat
GlenSizz - Rambling Rumble - BWY Gang

GlennSixx - Bapman Crew - Scook - CITOcacher - Trustworthy

TaGeez - Warrior Princess - Rambling Rumble - BWY Gang

ProBob - Oneforfortytwo - The Frito Bandito

Kicking off the event was a touching tribute to Othum and Brummelbear, both of which we lost to cancer this year. Both loved this event. In this picture, Rattrak is holding a box of Brummelbear's unactivated coins, raffled off before we hit the trails.

Team Rumble - Rattrak - GlennSix

Team Lareau didn't think they'd be around for the raffle so they gave me their ticket (which I handed back to them when the raffle began). They won and then passed the coin along to me. It's a nice warm and fuzzy owning a coin from the collection of one sweetheart and being gifted it from a pair of sweethearts. 

Red cheeks and rain gear

Unlike the normal 45 caches, the Belle Isle Cachers released 13 this year: 12 puzzles and 1 letterbox. After earning our first FTF, we retired to iHop for a puzzle confab and hot chocolate. We are not a group that lets weather dictate our fun!

puzzle break!

We ended our adventure with the annual lunchtime potluck. In memory of dear, sweet Brummelbear, who was traditionally the keeper of the grill, Mrs. Brummelbear came out to cook hot dogs. 

Speaking of hot dogs... At her side, greeting every returning geocacher, was Leo's pup-pup. She misses him. Look at those sad eyes. But her tail was wagging for us.

Maybe next year Mother Nature will have her act in order.

Thank you, Belle Isle Cachers!