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Mail Call of the Wild Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

AltDotAir: The cache container has been stolen; we have opted not to replace this because the uniqueness of the cache container made this one the fun that it was, and the original first leg is impossible to recreate.

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Hidden : 12/7/2002
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

This puzzle multi-cache takes a civilized path between two wildlife habitats. Between Parts 1 and 2 is most of the interesting part of Monterey's Path of History. May be walked for a two-mile+ roundtrip, or you may drive and park free or with meters at each of three stops. If you're going to do this on a Sunday or Holiday, decrypt the hint for a spoiler (the item required for the second part of Part 2 is inaccessible those days).

UPDATE 11/13/04: The starting point to this cache is now accessible again! The bad news is that the sign that formed the basis for Part 1 has been taken down. We're waiting for the replacement or an equivalent to go up (sometime before the year's end, we're told) and we'll re-do the puzzle clues.

If you want the coordinates for Part 2 (the ones you could only get hithertofore if you went to Part 1), THEY ARE ENCRYPTED IN THE HINTS BELOW (we spelled them out). This is still a nice cache with a decent find at the end of it; there's just one less spot on it if you skip No. 1.

We note that if you have really good binoculars, you can ''peer'' through the fence down the pier. It's not as much fun, but you can figure it out if you want to get extra karmic geo-credit.

We still encourage you to get as close to the Part 1 coordinates (the starting cache coordinates above) as is possible -- it's a neat spot!


All Nature seems at work. Slugs leave their lair ---
The bees are stirring -- birds are on the wing --
And Winter slumbering in the open air,
Wears on his smiling face a dream of Spring!
And I the while, the sole unbusy thing,
Nor honey make, nor pair, nor build, nor sing.
-- Samuel Coleridge, Work Without Help

You have a mission, you must not fail
To deliver a special kind of mail
Connie the Cormorant is the sender
The receiver, Will an Acorn Woodpecker

Bring postcards or "bird" stuff to this cache
You'll need it when you find the stash
Leave the dog at home, parts one and two
On part three, though, Fido can come with you.

Kids are fine, it's pretty safe
When minded (unlike orphaned waifs).
It's semi-urban, you can drive your car
But walking it ain't TOO far.

The coordinates given are for part one
We hope the sights provide some fun.
You'll see a Hawksbill on the way
If it's not at sea today.

Brave men and women line this pier
Who take to sea without much fear
Sailors on their duty depend.
Proceed all the way to the end.

Then you'll see fierce lions!
Easily, not hardly trying.
When you get to this smelly place
Frame Mount Toro with your face.

Take your face from this window
Just look right down below
You'll spot a small but earnest sign
That threatens a prodigious fine.

From this sign you'll need two digits
From the phone number at the lower limit
Take the first digit and call it "A"
Take the last, and call it "K"

Then count the number of metal posts
Cemented in this fenced-in coast
You'll substitute this number here you see
When you see the letter "D".

Mark Latitude, where you'll soon be
As 36 35.DKD
The longitude you'll be glad
Is 121 53."DAD"

You see the letter which you carry
(Go fast! Do not tarry!)
Must properly be first sorted
Or your mission will be aborted.

Part two begins with two "heros"
Names of Sloat and Viscaino.
Find each of their respective pictures -
(Skipping the historic lectures).

On Viscaino are Ohlone
Looking on the scene forlornly
Count them up (a multiple of three)
Designate this number "C"

Now please note the artist's name
The number of letters is the same
In his last or in his first.
(Please hang on tight, this IS a verse.)

This number, odd, prime and lucky
For the geocacher oh so plucky
This one you will remember
Replace the "F" with this number.

Then count up the number of bluish flags
If this cache ain't yet a drag
Let's designate with letter "G"
To make a longitude to be.

Now look across to the Commodore
(Be careful not to block the door)
For the latitude you'll have to see
Some items for your numbers three.

There are some men with raised-up swords
Depicted above the engraved words.
Count them up -- don't be dim.
Designate this number "M".

For letter "N" you will log
The number(s) of small brown dogs.
Finally count masted ships at sea
Let's just call this letter "P".

Coordinates for the next part
(Hurry up, it's getting dark)
Are 36 35 dot MNP
By 121 53 CFG

But wait! do not leave this brick station
You're going to need a "combination"
For this you should proceed inside
This service station built with pride.

Go straight in, then turn left
(Get this right or you'll be bereft)
Find the boxes on the wall
(Not to fear, we won't count them all!)

Start at the top, by the window
Behind the mural of Viscaino
Count across from one to forty
(Be stealthy, this is public sporting!)

Then count carefully four down
(be careful or you'll wear a frown)
Note the last three digits of the four-numbered box
(You'll need the numbers for a lock!)

Now you can go to the park
Opposite this benchmark:
G-U Two thousand eighty four
Is where you can leave your car.

Now it's easy, traditional caching
No more Alt - Dot - Air geo-bashing!
An easy trail on any day
Though you cross a waterway.

At the Woodpecker's noisy behest
The cache is a small metal "nest"
Very, VERY well concealed.
(Here's a hint: you need not kneel!)

Where Pine and Oak are embraced
Is this special hiding place.
You may laugh aloud a lot --
Because an "X" marks this spot!

When you find the avian station
Don't forget that combination!
Leave something birdy, or a card
And don't forget to sign the log!

Now you have delivered the geo-mail
Apace akin perhaps to a snail.
From one to another bird,
At least YOU have the final word.

(Email us if you still need hints
Photographs or coordinates
Relayed to you without a cost
Just tell us where you got lost!)

Y finalmente -- recuerdas
Nuestra geocache consigna
¡NO TENGAS MIEDO
ES UN JUEGO!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[Spoiler Hint for verses starting "But Wait!"...use if doing the cache on a Sunday or holiday.] Guerr Avar Sbhe. [These are the exact coordinates for Part 2 if Part 1 is inaccessible. Use on honor system. You should pick up the poem at the verse starting ''Part 2'' in the poem if you use them:] 36 35 cbvag frira sbhe frira ol 121 53 cbvag frira bar frira.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)