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Totally QRazy!!! Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

dwhole: Archived

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Hidden : 6/10/2010
Difficulty:
3.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size:   micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:


Hope it makes you QRazy!
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This cache is not at the listed coordinates above!
It is a puzzle cache that has two stages.
To find the first stage, you must first solve the puzzle below:


This puzzle comes by way of an American author.
He was born January 1, 1919.
He was known for being reclusive.
His most popular book is the source of this puzzle.


    North 36° 03 . A B C
A: "THEY EACH had their own room and all."
B: "I DIDN'T HAVE anything special to do..."
C: "A TINY BIT of light came through..."

    West 115° 02 . X Y Z
X: "THE FIRST THING I did when I got..."
Y: The number of letters in the second word of the book's title*
Z: "IT WAS TOO LATE to call up for ..."


*A side note for clue "Y" - Think of the whole title of the book. We tend to skip over little words that seem insiginificant, but in fact are a part of the entire title. I have been sent multiple emails on this one, and so I feel the need to offer additional help.

Check your solution here.


Once you solve the puzzle to find the coordinates of the first stage, go to the first location. Once at the first location, find an Altoids tin (at least I gave you a freebie ).

In the tin, you'll  find a sealed QR Code. Use a compatible phone (*see note below for help) to decode and find the coordinates of the final cache. You will then need to use the coordinates to zero-in on the actual cache. Log only, bring a writing instrument.

I rated the difficulty based on the fact that you'll need to take some extra steps to get to the final stage. I'm sure if you can operate a GPS device and use a computer, you can do this cache. Remember - technology loves you, even you don't love it.

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*Notes on QR Codes and how to read them:

1. QR Codes are 2D barcodes, like you see on shipping labels.
2. Most smartphones (Blackberry, Android, Palm, etc) and some non-smartphones (especially Nokia, and SonyEricsson), have the ability to read QR Codes with either included or freely available apps. If you don't have an app already, I personally recommend BeeTagg, it's free, works well, and runs on a lot of different phones. If your phone doesn't support this, I'll give some tips on a work-around below.
3. To read a QR Code, your phone takes a picture, and decodes it to reveal the coordinates.
4. If your phone does not support an available app, try the following workaround:
a. Take a closeup picture of the QR Code (we'll assume it's digital) - make sure it's very clear and in focus - remember garbage in, garbage out. I will leave some print outs of the QR Code for you to take if need be.
b. Use a computer to upload the image to a QR Code reading website (http://zxing.org/w/decode.jspx) - a free, open source project
c. The website will decode the coordinates.
d. If you don't want to take the picture, go home, decode, and go back out again.... try a team effort. Take a pic with your phone, send it to someone at a computer, and tada!
5. If you want to learn more about QR Codes, go to this Wiki.
6. Plus, QR Codes are a nerdy fun way to give someone special a note.
- as a side note, be aware of any data charges you may incur with your wireless provider.

QR Test Image



To familiarize yourself with using QR Codes, here's an image to test your mad skills.
IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS CACHE!!!!!
This is a test, and only a test. If your phone supports the app, take a pic of your monitor, otherwise save it to your computer and upload it to the above website.
If done correctly, the coordinates that you decode would put you at one of the entrances to Lake Mead












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FTF goes to TeamTettamanti
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Also, in your log, write your method/device used to decode.
(Thanks to TeamTettamanti for the idea)

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Gur nhgube nyfb jebgr "Avar Fgbevrf"

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)