09/01/08 The "Tree Mushroom" has been vandalized. The
translation for the Braille message has been added to the cache
page along with the latitude of the "tree mushroom" and the "number
on the path". You will still need to determine the correct
longitude. Due to the destruction I will be archiving this cache at
the end of December.
The walking path encircles the pond in Silverview park. It is a
nice, pleasant walk on a cool summer’s eve, but can be pretty
bitter on a cold winter’s night. To add to the enjoyment, there’s a
surprisingly diverse collection of waterfowl and other birds to be
seen on or around the pond. I’ve seen great white herons, snowy
egrets, green herons, loons, wood ducks, pied-billed grebes,
pheasants, cedar waxwings, ...just to name a few. As an incentive
for others to take a walk around the pond, I’ve hidden several
caches along the way. Rather than trying out some diabolical ideas,
I decided to make these fun caches that shouldn’t be too difficult
to find. Instead, I’ve added a twist that I haven’t seen before
with other caches.
The idea for this cache was originally triggered by the fact
that the city of Mounds View had to put up a railing at a
particular spot along the trail because someone took a tumble off
the path. I don’t know the full story but apparently it was broad
daylight and the person was simply not paying attention. I’ve sat
on this cache for a while because of the nature of the puzzle.
People who have lost their eyesight carry on their life’s journey
with courage and dignity and largely out of sight of most of us. I
decided to go ahead and release this cache more to raise awareness
of their struggle. The Braille code was developed about 200 years
ago by Louis Braille, a teenager at the time. It has become the
standard method for the blind to read and write. I decided it
wouldn’t hurt any of us to know a little bit about the Braille code
that is so important in their lives. While the original idea may
have come from an unfortunate incident no disrespect is
intended.
This is a simple three-stage multi. In order to find the first
two stages, however, you will have to translate the Braille clue
below. The above coordinates are for the picnic shelter near the
parking lot for this park which should be your starting point. Be
careful and pay attention!!!
From the parking lot, take the path counterclockwise around the
pond. When you the reach the “tree mushroom” determine the latitude
(45* 06.201). Find the number on the path (118-007). Add the first
three digits to the fractional part of the latitude you just
determined. Continue on the path until you find a “rough-hewn
rail-post wooden railing”. There is only one around the entire
pond. Determine the longitude and add the second three digits of
the number obtained at the first stage to it’s fractional part. Now
add point one two three to the latitude and point one two seven to
the longitude. The result will take you to the final stage. It is
hidden about thirty inches above the ground.