This is not an exhaustive list of all the murals in Austin. There are many of them. But this should be a good representative sample.
In order to find the final cache, you will have to find clues at each of the 14 murals listed below. The final cache is within a half a mile radius of the posted coordinates. There should be an easy parking spot for most murals except for the ones around the University of Texas where you might have to walk some...
Murals can be visited in any order. So here is the list:
- I love you so much - N 30° 15.069 W 097° 44.958
Amy Cook, 2010
Variable A: On the side walk that the mural is on (W James St), there is a utility pole that is about 20 to 30 feet to the west (after the first two trees). "A" is the last digit on the yellow id tag. (Error Check: it is also the difference between the 4th and the 3rd digit)
- Spider House - N30 17.719 W097 44.534
Justin Prince, 2007
Variable B: Just in front of the mural on the right side there is a utility pole. "B" is the second digit on the yellow id tag. (Error check: It is is also the third and fourth digit.)
- My butter half - N 30° 16.816 W 097° 43.173
John Rockwell, 2012
Variable C: Nearly directly in front of the mural, there is a utility pole on the side walk on MLK. "C" is the first digit on the yellow ID tag. (Error Check: it is also the difference between the 3rd and the 4th digit)
- Willie for President - N 30 14.933 W 097 44.977
Jacqui Oakley, 2015
Variable D: On the sidewalk (Elizabeth St) that the mural is on, there is a wooden electric pole at the edge of the building to the east, D is the sixth digit of the yellow tag (Error Check: it is also the sum of the second and third digits)
- Austintatious - N30 17.187 W097 44.512
Kerry Awn, Rick Turner, and Tommy Bee, 1974 (South side) and 2003 (North Side)
Variable E: On the mural on the south side, "E" is the number of armadillos on the steps of the Capitol. (Error Check: It is also the number of posts on Judge Roy Bean’s porch on the north side mural.)
- The Frog - N30 17.033 W097 44.530
Daniel Johnston, 1993
Variable F: There is a traffic light at the closest corner (east of the mural). "F" is the second digit of the Yellow ID tag on the post. (Error Check: It is also the 6th digit.)
- Victory Grill - N30 16.150 W097 43.730
Variable G: There is a year painted on the mural below the man with sunglasses and the man with straw hat. "G" is the last digit of the year (Error check: it is also the sum of the first digit and the third digit of the same year.)
- Urdy Plaza - N30 16.150 W097 43.775
Variable H: On the tower in between the murals/mosaic, there is a plaque dedicated to Dr. Charles E. Urdy. On the last line, there is a year. "H" is the third digit of the year. (Error Check: it is also the second digit.)
- George Washington Carver Library N30 16.157 W097 43.439
John Fisher, 1986
Variable I: To the west of the mural near the street, there is giant utility pole. "I" is the fourth digit of the yellow ID tag on the pole. (Error Check: it is also the first digit.)
- South Congress Food Mart - N30 15.439 W097 44.832
Variable J: At the corner of South Congress and Riverside, slightly to the south east of the mural, there is a traffic light pole. "J" is the second digit of the yellow ID tag. (Error Check: it is also the 3 digit.)
- Greetings From Austin - N30 14.855 W097 45.357
and also Cesar Chavez on the other side - Billy Brakhage and Rory Skagen, c.1997
Variable K: On the same sidewalk to the west of the mural, there is a wooden electrical pole. "K" is the 5th digit on the yellow ID tag. (Error Check: it is also the sum of the first and second digits.)
- Serving SoCo since 1957 - N30 14.304 W097 45.263
Variable L: Looking at the mural, there is a blue date below the yellow star. "L" is the second digit of the date. (Error check: it is also the third digit.)
- South Austin Mural - N30 12.558 W097 46.872
Careen Vaughn
Variable M: On the side walk on 1st street, there is a wooden utility pole in front of the mural on the side by the “Barton Creek Grennbelt” sign. "M" is the first digit on the yellow ID tag. (Error Check: It is also the sixth digit.)
- Stevie, Janice and Willie - N30 15.083 W097 45.880
Uloang, 2017
Variable N: North of the mural between the sidewalk and the parking, the very first tree has a round metal tag. N is is the 4th digit. (Error Check: N is also the last digit on the yellow metal pole on the sidewalk north of the mural just before the next parking lot)
To find the final coordinates, you will need to use the formulas below:
- For latitude, you can assume N30. The rest of the numbers can be obtained with this formula:
((F+E)*(J+G+H)*(B+A+G)*D)+(F*C*K)
- For longitude, you can assume W097. The rest of the numbers can be obtained with this formula:
((D+F+N)*(B+I+M)*(F+C+L)*E*N)-((J+H)*(F+I))
Check your solution
Finders of this cache can also discover a rare geocoin of the “Arches and Bridges of Central Park” geocache that was my inspiration. Also, the first 5 to find can take a limited edition souvenir postcard available next to the cache.
If you know of another cool mural in Austin and would like to share, please upload a picture with coordinates. I may use it in the future in case one of the existing ones gets painted over. I hope you have as much fun discovering these cool pieces of art as I did when I hid the cache. Enjoy!