For an Iowa town of its size, Ottumwa has an abundance of
peculiarities and unusual places. This is partially due to its age,
the river flowing through it, and the fact that it once had a much
higher population than it does now.
Most steps you can drive right up to, but a couple require a hike,
one of which is often overgrown depending on the season, often wet,
and may be flooded occasionally. You will visit several unique
places along the way. Allow 3-4 hours to complete the hunt.
Although this cache has many steps, they have been arranged in the
shortest distance to minimize driving time. Most stages are close
to each other. All are in town except for the last which is in a
rural nature area.
All steps are on public property. Please do not cross private
property even if it is shorter.
I no longer live in Ottumwa, and have few opportunities to check
on the cache. If you think you've done a thorough search and still
can't find the cache, please post. However, few people visit this
site so it's unlikely that someone would stumble upon it
unintentionally.
I later visited the cache with friends who solved all steps
except the first three without help. This is why there are already
entries in the logbook. They thought it was relatively easy except
for the first three steps, which have since been modified for
clarity. Step 8 has been modified due to a bridge closing. Also
there are nine other caches close by the steps for you to
hunt.
------
Throughout the puzzle, each letter represents only one digit.
However, one digit can be represented by more than one letter.
0: It is highly advantageous to take with a map of
Ottumwa and Wapello County, particularly for steps 2, 3, and the
final cache site. You may pick up a free complimentary map at the
hotel located at 41°03.695' N, 92°24.636' W.
Steps 1-3 are more difficult than the rest, so you have the
option of doing either Step 1 or Steps 2 and 3. Both will give you
the same two digits. Hint: The other unknown letters in Step 1 are
not used.
1. The following adjective describes the street located
at 41°02.811' N, 92°24.436' W minus the first letter of its
name: PAL254R63E The numbers 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 replace the letters
in this word in their positions.
2. North-south street located at 41°02.595' N,
92°24.258' W: How many separate segments of this street are
there in Ottumwa? In other words, this street is broken into
several parts, but all parts have the same street name. How many
parts total? ANSWER: N
3. North-south street located at 41°02.646' N,
92°24.097' W: How many separate segments of this street?
ANSWER: M
Z=N+M, A=N-M
Digits from 1, 2, and 3 can be substituted in to complete the
coordinates to 4, 5, and 6. Substitute the digits from step 1 where
their respective letters appear in the coordinates below.
------
4. 41°0A.6ZA' N, 92°2M.766' W: How many arrows are in
the sack? ANSWER: F
5. 41°0A.Z17' N, 92°2M.4N0' W: How many cross-shaped
protrusions are formed in a matrix here? ANSWER: GW How many stone
protrusions are in the same matrix? ANSWER: HX
While you are here you might want to try the caches that have
parking very closeby.
6. 41°0A.116' N, 92°24.46M' W: Add the two years
that belong to the Senior closest to this unusual monument. ANSWER:
JKLY
While you are here you might want to try the three caches located
on the property.
G+Y=T H+J=Z Digits from 4, 5, and 6 can be substituted in to
complete the coordinates to 7, 8, and 9.
------
7. 41°0H.7LG' N, 92°24.KWL' W: Find the hidden
number. ANSWER: PQ-RS
While you are here you might want to try the cache located within
feet of the answer.
8. 41°0H.WTY' N, 92°24.GZT' W: When looking at the
face pointing to the road, how many people are standing? ANSWER:
U
While you are here you might want to try the cache located within a
tenth of a mile.
9. Forgotten corner: How many dwellings are located on or
very near the cul-de-sac at 41°0W.4YG' N, 92°2X.LGK' W? This
is not a trick question, the answer should be obvious. ANSWER:
V
B=P-Q, C=S-V, E=R+V
Digits from 7, 8, and 9 can be substituted in to complete the
final coordinates.
------
Final cache site: The cache is located at 40°US.BB4' N,
92°1E.CCB' W. Park at 40°US.U34' N, 92°2B.BVB' W. It's a
0.7 mile hike from here but parking closer you would have to cross
private property. Please park here. I was rather disappointed to
find out that the road leading into the nature area has been closed
to all vehicles, increasing the one-way hiking distance from 0.3
miles to 0.7 miles. Cache is an ammo can.
Bonus virtual cache: There is a scenic but dangerous spot located
at 40°UT.EPU' N, 92°1E.CUU' W, a few paces away from the
cache site, which is safe. Watch your step if you go here!! I am
not responsible for injuries. The bottom of the hill is private
property.
Cache contains Canadian, Danish, Swedish, German, French, Italian,
Austrian, Dutch/Belgium, and Swiss change; silly putty, and
more.
Good luck!!
You can check your answers for this puzzle on
Geochecker.com.