Middle to Locust FTF Power Trail #47 Mystery Cache
Burnt Turtles: 12:37 PM Friday December 24, 2021
Archiving my contributions to this Middle to Locust series
All cache containers will be removed by January 1st
Middle to Locust FTF Power Trail #47
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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***Note: The Cache is NOT at the posted coordinates but it’s a great place to start!! At Stage 1 try not to be too suspicious, if anyone asks you’re just admiring the historic artifact.
Middle Road, turning into Locust Street spans 20 miles, beginning in northeast Bettendorf and ending in western Davenport. It is a major thoroughfare for traffic in Scott County. This is a FTF Power Trail, beginning at the start of Middle Road. A "Power Trail" is a series of at least 50 geocaches within close proximity. A "FTF Power Trail" means that if you are the "first to find" (i.e. the 'FTF') of a cache in this series, PLEASE 'pay it forward' by placing the next cache along this trail, and do so within two weeks of getting the FTF. Keep in mind that some areas will have higher muggle traffic than others, so you may have to be creative in your hides, or you may have to dive slightly off course to place a new hide.
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Grab your paper and pencil kids you’ll definitely want to take some notes for this one. Also please pay attention to the instructions given. Don’t hesitate to message me if you need some clarification. Ding Ding class is in session!!!
STAGE 1- At the posted coordinates you’re looking for the name of a very prominent city. (Hint: southwest) List the letters used in alphabetical order. Next count the number of times that letter is used. (Hint: five letters will be used)
I hope you drank your coffee this morning...
***Example: BURNT CORN (nine letters are used)
1st letter is B used 1 time
2nd C 1
3rd N 2
4th O 1
5th R 2
6th T 1
7th U 1
[3rd + 4th] = 3
The city you’re searching for is not Burnt Corn, AL
Use this information to find the final North coordinates!
N 41° [3rd] [2nd] . [1st + 2nd] [(3rd*2) + 5th] [(4th*3) - 2nd]
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Proceed to Stage 2 by traveling 571.5 feet at a bearing of 273.6° There you will be looking for twenty two (22) engraved letters. No need to leave the sidewalk for this stage. Jot these letters down and convert them using the traditional method A=1,B=2,C=3...J=0,K=1,L=2...You’re doing great. Almost done!
Use that information to find the final West coordinates!
W90° [10th] [18th] . [9th - 8th] [1st - 2nd] [4th + 22nd]
That’s it! I hope you’ve enjoyed this unknown geocache I’ve created for you. I know you won’t fill any Fizzy Grid squares with this one but it will add a smile to your stats.
CONGRATULATIONS TO IowaBeaver ON THE FTF!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Qhr gb gur pybfr cebkvzvgl bs gur arneol fpubbyf V oryvrir gur orfg gvzr gb fghql guvf zlfgrel jbhyq or orgjrra 4:00cz - 8:00cz naq/be ba gur jrrxraqf. Gur svany vf ABG ba fpubby cebcregl.