Please note: The Cache has been updated in November of 2020. The "mini in the middle" has been rehidden, and the final has been replaced in a slightly different spot. The coords in the second mini have been updated. So if you have been waiting to do this one or finish it, now is the time. Please leave a note or personal message if there are any problems with any stage. Thanks.
Before we begin, there's some stuff that you should know:
The original "1812 on the Niagara Parkway" was intended to be a continuous journey from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Fort Erie, but in an effort to avoid the heavy traffic around Niagara Falls, Flick's Tours has decided to break the tour into two parts, one section "Above the Falls" and the other "Below the Falls". This way, you are saved time, expense, and aggravation. Here at Flick's,we always endeavour to anticipate your wishes and problems, and offer you a care-free excursion. Welcome to Part 1, "Below the Falls". This is a "Tour with a Twist"-- a mini in the middle!
Please note that the location of the final stages is NOT "canine friendly". Also, the final stage involves quite an elevation differential and can be slippery at times, so toddlers will probably not enjoy themselves, and, consequently, neither will you. During periods of inclement weather, even adults may wish to put this cache off until there is improvement. Safety first, 'k? When all conditions are favourable, you are gonna LOVE THIS!!
The entire tour will involve a drive of approximately 20.5 km (you're gonna spend more time doin' math than drivin') and a short hike (as the crow flies, heh, heh).
There are several noteworthy stops along the route that involve "pulling off on the shoulder of the road". For this reason, they have been excluded. All stops on the tour feature ample, safe parking.
During the tour, you will pass historical museums, art museums, historical landmarks, vineyards, wineries, fruit markets, botanical gardens, a horticultural school, and even a butterfly conservatory. Many offer tours. Please feel free to take advantage of everything that interests you. We'll wait for ya.
There are dozens of picnic areas during the tour. If you've brought along a lunch, you may wish to wait until the final staging area. For those who prefer a more secluded atmosphere, I suggest my personal favourite, Locust Grove, N 43' 09.468, W 79' 02.899. Once you've been there, you'll know why it's my personal preference.
If I have any further advice or information, it's this: DON'T FORGET YOUR CAMERA!!!!!!
Ok, enough babble. I will now turn you over to your tour guide at:
Stop # 1: ROWS AND COLUMNS
Good day, Ladies, Gentlemen, and Children! Thank you for joining us at the above coordinates. Sir Winston Churchill (who was not noted for being really quick with a compliment) called the Niagara Parkway the "prettiest Sunday afternoon drive in the world". You will see a small part of it today, and you can judge for yourself, although we won't actually be on the Parkway until Stop # 3. Here at our first stop, find the year that the current structure was built, divide by 1000, and add the result to both N 43' 13.286 and W 79' 02.454. The new coordinate should bring us to:
Stop #2: I REMEMBER WHEN THIS STUFF WAS NEW!
At this stop, you should be able to find the year that the "Canada Constellation" was first printed. Again, divide the answer by 1000, and add to both N 43' 13.315 and W 79' 01.991. We'll finally join the Parkway at:
Stop #3: A LOT OF PEOPLE SAVE OLD MAGAZINES.
This stop charges a flat rate of $6.00 per day for parking (no gate, just a ticket machine). If you're just here to collect the information you need, don't bother. You'll only be a minute. That's what I did. Four times. Find the answer to the question "In what year was this site described as "tumbling into ruin"?". Again, divide by 1000, and add to both N 43' 13.078 and W 79' 02.622. Disregard your GPS for a minute, and turn south on the Parkway for a distance of 1 km and turn right at the intersection (John St.). This way, we've avoided lots of turns and stop signs. Trust me. I AM a guide, y'know. Soon, we'll find:
Stop #4: THEY MUST HAVE A LOT OF SERVANTS IN THIS TOWN
At this stop, you'll find two metal objects, one black, one grey, and obviously from different eras. Find the year of manufacture of the older, black one, divide it by 1000, and add to both N 43' 12.112 and 79' 01.846. These coordinates should bring you to:
Stop #5: MICKEY F'S?
Once we get parked at this location, we won't need to drive for a short time, 'cause it's time to find that "mini-in-the-middle". If you didn't notice the small green sign next to the driveway, take the short walk back and note the 5 digit street number of the old house. Disregard the first two digits, we're only gonna work with the last three. Divide 'em by 1000 and add 'em to N 43 13.028, W 79 02.668. These coordinates should take you to a mini cache that contains questions and directions. The mini is a camo'd pill bottle. Take the answer to question "2" in the mini (the later of the two years), divide by 1000, and add to both N 43 08.033, W 79 01.501 This should lead you to:
Stop #6: I'M ADDICTED TO HEROINE
Find the year that this American settled in Upper Canada, divide it by 1000, and add to both N 43' 06.012 and W 79' 01.678. Between here and our final parking stop is an area that is rich with history, but, since there are already several caches connected with the area, we'll skip it. You might want to visit those caches sometime. You'll be glad you did! At our new coordinates, we'll find the trail head at:
Stop #7: ARE YOU SURE FLICK DID THIS?
Now that we've parked and located the trail head, we need the answer to question "1" from the mini. Divide it by 1000, and add to both N 43' 06.104 and W 79' 01.375. If we've done everything correctly, we should enjoy the walk to:
Stop #8 THE SECOND MINI
Due to understandably weak signal strength, you'll probably need to resort to the hint for this one. Look for the cache on a path that leads to the water's edge. The mini is a small, clear plastic container with a blue lid that will give you the coordinates of:
Stop #9 YIPPEE!! THE MAIN CACHE!!
Enjoy the surroundings! If you're here at the right time you may see some boats pass by the area. The Main Cache is a camo'd plastic container which holds the usual goodies. Before you resort to the clue, you'll find the cache in a cluster of rocks.
We hope you have enjoyed the trip, and will consider taking part in Flick's existing, and future, tours. Please report any errrors, omissions, or concerns to the management of Flick's Tours.
After investing a lot of time, energy, and expense to complete the tour, we don't want anyone going away frustrated and empty-handed, so, in an effort to ensure your satisfaction:
HINTS FOR THE CACHES ARE VERY SPECIFIC! PLEASE DON'T DECRYPT UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!!
Please feel free to browse through our brochure below for a look at areas that you will, or may, see during the tour. The photos are purposely arranged in random order and there isn't a spoiler in the bunch.