A Hard Mystery Cache Mystery Cache

Another Difficult Cache
Please do not try this cache if you are just passing through
 

This is another difficult mystery cache.  It's has three stages.  I thought my East Texas Hardest cache would take a long time to solve and EZMATE did it the next day -- this one seems to be taking longer. 

This one doesn't have rules like the East Texas Hardest, but asking fellow cachers how to solve it cheapens both your find and that of the people who really solved it.  Please say in your log whether you solved it without help from another cacher who had solved it.  Absent this remark, it will be assumed you had help.  If it hasn't been solved in a month I'll add a hint that may (or may not) help.

You can ask me questions, but I may or may not answer them.  I only expect to answer questions that clarify the puzzle and the meaning of any words I've written associated with the cache. I do not expect to answer questions about the location of the cache or how to solve the mystery.  If you wonder what I meant by something I said, tell me what you think I mean and I may clarify.  Based on the questions I've received about East Texas Hardest I answer almost none. 

As people write me with questions, if I answer them I will post the answers here in logs assuming I can do so without giving away part of the puzzle .  You may want to check back now and then to see if there are new question/answers or hints.

Warning

It's a mystery cache so you're likely to run into things you don't expect.  Don't be surprised if you don't succeed the first time out (or the second, or third, or maybe never). 

I want you to know all this up front so you won't be disappointed or upset if you try it.  If you feel like the conditions of this cache aren't your cup of tea, please pass it by.
 

Stage two is only open 7am-10pm
Other stages open 24/7

You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.

Congrats to VoodooCupcake, geogeex,
Manofsteel73 & MTCachers for FTF

Placed by a Texas Geocacher