None of the caches are located on the Capitol grounds. No physical caches are located at any of the intermediate coordinates. The final cache is located in another part of Olympia.
To ensure a smooth visit to the Capitol, please take a moment to view the Washington State Capitol Campus links below. Public gatherings to express viewpoints will occur on campus from time to time, particularly during the Legislative Session (January 13th - April 27th). It is possible that one of these events might be held near one of the geocache waypoints. For more information, please refer to the following resources from the Washington State Capitol Campus:
This is part of the Keys of the Capitol Series
Key 1: Splendid Art Key 2: Changing Waters Key 3: Gardens for the Senses Key 4: Interesting Spaces Keys of the Capitol: Finale
Each multicache in this series will feature a different theme and ask you to find a "key" (name or word) that can be found in proximity to the final location of the cache. When all the keys are combined in the correct order, they can be used to unlock a grand finale mystery cache.
Often, people drive by the Capitol and overlook the many interesting things it has to offer. However, when you take the time to walk around, you discover there is quite a bit to see. The purpose of this series is to encourage you to spend time enjoying the numerous attractions within the Olympia Capitol campus.
Key 3 is entitled: Gardens for the Senses. (Code Name: Malus domestica)
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Quick Stats:
6 Stages, 1.2 Miles
Small: Camouflaged container. Use stealth.
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Some of the way-point description have links to more information about gardens. There are also lettered questions/directions that you will need to record the answer to while standing at each garden. To reveal the cache's hidden location, you will assemble a passphrase and enter it into Certitude or you can use the formulas provided in the final stage section to figure out the final coordinates. The checker will also give you a suggested parking location and info about the nearby feature at the final location
The hide location will guide you to another site with a similar theme.
Quick Links
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3
Stage 4 Stage 5
Stage 6
HEAD TO THE FINAL
Parking and Transportation
Stage 1: Winding Lavender Path
Best time to view June - July
N 47° 02.056 W 122° 53.726
Spend a few moments of a summer afternoon immersed in the tranquility of this little path. Where the air is perfumed with lavender, the hillside painted in shades of purple, and the gentle buzz of bees fills the air.
At the first switchback at the base of the lavender path there is a sprinkler head that is a different brand from the rest. Record the name listed on the sprinkler minus the last 2 letters.
A = ______ = The name of the sprinkler minus last 2 letters
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Stage 2: Pergola and bulb garden
Best time to view the bulbs in late March- mid April
Best time to view the Pegola mid April - May
N 47° 02.164 W 122° 53.915
The shade of the pergola provides a cool retreat from those feeling the sun's heat on a spring or summer day. Early on the planter is filled with a lovely variety of bulbs, followed by blooms on the Wisteria vine in late spring. A chorus of birdsong can often be heard at this location. Nearby serviceberry trees attract them here. Sit for a while and you might hear: chickadees, wrens, robins, finches, pine siskins, scrub jays, or even a northern flicker. Then again...this is Washington, so you could be met with sideways rain instead of birdsong depending on the day.
On the right of the Pergola is a Korean Dogwood. Read the in memory of sign in front of the dogwood. Record the first word on line 3
B = ________ = The first word on line 3.
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Stage 3: Pollinator Garden
N 47° 02.132 W 122° 53.948
A nice little raised bed garden featuring a variety of plants selected to support pollinators. Each bed provides tips on creating a pollinator friendly space.
Find out more about the Pollinator Garden
Take a moment to Pause for Pollinators. One of the signs features a picture of a raspberry flower. Record the second word in the caption for this picture.
C = ______=Second word in the caption of the raspberry flower picture.
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Stage 4: Kiwanis Food Bank Garden
N 47° 02.090 W 122° 53.980
This is one of the 3 Kiwanis food bank gardens in Olympia. Produce grown at this garden is donated to the Thurston County Food Bank.
Find out more about the Olympia Kiwanis Foodbank Gardens and how you can help
Read the Kiwanis sign by the main garden. Record the last word in the sign title.
D = ______ = Last word on sign title.
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Stage 5: Yoshino Cherry Trees
Best time to view Mid March - May
N 47° 02.098 W 122° 54.290
These trees put on a wonderful show each year. It is wonderful to see them come into bloom and also to experience the showers of petals on days when gusts of wind come through.
Find out more about the Yoshino Cherry Trees
about half way up on the east side of the center path you will find a plaque near the waypoint location. Counting the title as line 1, record the 5th word on line 3.
E=______= Line 3, 5th word.
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Stage 6:Sunken Garden
N 47° 02.220 W 122° 54.200
As the sign says, "This garden is meant to be enjoyed! Touch the foliage Smell the aromas Look at the textures and absorb the colors. Listen to the chatter of birds and the buzzing of bees." The sunken garden can be enjoyed almost any time of year with some flowers, like the Witch Hazel, displaying their fragrant yellow blooms in winter. The intention of a sunken garden is to collect more rainwater throughout the year. Thereby the plants rely less on direct watering.
Find out more about the Sunken Garden
Read the main sign on the south garden entrance. Read the section entitled A Garden for All of Us. Record the 2nd word in the paragraph.
F = ______ = Second word in paragraph for A Garden for All of Us.
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Final Stage:
?
N 47° 01.??? W 122° 54.???
OPTION 1: Assemble the clues from each stage in the order below to create a passphrase. Enter the passphrase into Certitude without spaces to get the final coordinates. Additional information and the final parking location are also contained in the checker notes.
Use stealth when retrieving.
Passphrase Formula:
DBFAEC
GARDEN
Ex. if clue D was "Pine" and clue B was "Tree", you would write "PineTree" in the first two spots above.
You can validate your puzzle solution with
certitude.
OPTION 2: Sum up the number of letters from the clues for each stage enter the sums into the formula below:
N 47 01.(C)(F-E)(A+A)
W 122 54.(E-C)(B-D)(E-A)
CHECKSUM = A+B+C+D+E+F= 47
Key is located across the street from the suggested parking location found in Certitude.
The keyword for this multi can be found on a plaque under the tree by the front entrance sidewalk (N -.018 W -.055 from the final coordinates). Counting the title as line 1, the word is found on Line 8 Word 5
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Parking:
There is paid visitor parking throughout Campus. M-F 7-4PM Free on weekends, holidays, and after 4pm. General Public - Visitor Parking
You can also find street parking nearby. Most locations have parking meters.
Olympia Intercity Transit offers free transportation on their routes. You can get to Capitol Campus on using a few different routes. Route 14 is a good option that stays in the downtown/capitol area. For a listing of all available routes go to the Intercity Transit Page
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