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!)