This is not an exhaustive list of all the murals in Austin. There are many of them. But this should be a good representative sample.
In order to find the final cache, you will have to find clues at each of the 14 murals listed below. The final cache is within a half a mile radius of the posted coordinates. There should be an easy parking spot for most murals except for the ones around the University of Texas. For these (1 to 6), I suggest parking once and walking in between.
Murals can be visited in any order. The current order is the one I used coming from the North. So here is the list:
- Luv Video - N30 17.715 W097 44.512
Justin Prince, 2007
Variable A: At the bottom right of the mural, you will find the artist signature and his email address. "A" is the second digit in the email address. (Error check: It is also the first digit on the yellow ID tag of utility post in the same parking lot at the corner of 29th and Fruth.)
- Spider House - N30 17.719 W097 44.534
Justin Prince, 2007
Variable B: Just in front of the mural on the right side there is a utility pole. "B" is the second digit on the yellow id tag. (Error check: It is is also the third and fourth digit.)
- Mellow Mushroom - N30 17.318 W097 44.504
Variable C: In the middle of the parking lot, there is a low laying plaque for the "C. W. Hall Methodist Student Center". C is the number of letters of the first word on line 6. (Error check: It is also the number of letters of the seventh word on line 6)
- Le Bonheur de Vivre - N30 17.259 W097 44.515
Doug Jaques, 1998
see also the Old Tower Record Mural on the other side by Carlos Lowry, 1980
Variable D: On the the west most panel of the “Bonheur de Vivre” mural, there is a plaque with the artist name and other contributors. "D" is the third digit of the date on the plaque (Error Check: it is also the second digit.)
- Austintatious - N30 17.187 W097 44.512
Kerry Awn, Rick Turner, and Tommy Bee, 1974 (South side) and 2003 (North Side)
Variable E: On the mural on the south side, "E" is the number of armadillos on the steps of the Capitol. (Error Check: It is also the number of posts on Judge Roy Bean’s porch on the north side mural.)
- The Frog - N30 17.033 W097 44.530
Daniel Johnston, 1993
Variable F: There is a traffic light at the closest corner (east of the mural). "F" is the second digit of the Yellow ID tag on the post. (Error Check: It is also the 6th digit.)
- Victory Grill - N30 16.150 W097 43.730
Variable G: There is a year painted on the mural below the man with sunglasses and the man with straw hat. "G" is the last digit of the year (Error check: it is also the sum of the first digit and the third digit of the same year.)
- Urdy Plaza - N30 16.150 W097 43.775
Variable H: On the tower in between the murals/mosaic, there is a plaque dedicated to Dr. Charles E. Urdy. On the last line, there is a year. "H" is the third digit of the year. (Error Check: it is also the second digit.)
- George Washington Carver Library N30 16.157 W097 43.439
John Fisher, 1986
Variable I: To the west of the mural near the street, there is giant utility pole. "I" is the fourth digit of the yellow ID tag on the pole. (Error Check: it is also the first digit.)
- South Congress Food Mart - N30 15.439 W097 44.832
Variable J: At the corner of South Congress and Riverside, slightly to the south east of the mural, there is a traffic light pole. "J" is the second digit of the yellow ID tag. (Error Check: it is also the 3 digit.)
- Greetings From Austin - N30 14.855 W097 45.357
and also Cesar Chavez on the other side - Billy Brakhage and Rory Skagen, c.1997
Variable K: On the same sidewalk to the west of the mural, there is a wooden electrical pole. "K" is the 5th digit on the yellow ID tag. (Error Check: it is also the sum of the first and second digits.)
- Serving SoCo since 1957 - N30 14.304 W097 45.263
Variable L: Looking at the mural, there is a blue date below the yellow star. "L" is the second digit of the date. (Error check: it is also the third digit.)
- South Austin Mural - N30 12.558 W097 46.872
Careen Vaughn
Variable M: On the side walk on 1st street, there is a wooden utility pole in front of the mural on the side by the “Barton Creek Grennbelt” sign. "M" is the first digit on the yellow ID tag. (Error Check: It is also the sixth digit.)
- South Austin Music - N30 15.195 W097 45.824
Aaron Sacco
Variable N: To the east of the mural in between the two parking lots there is wooden utility pole. "N" is the third digit. (Error Check: it is also the sum of the last 2 digits.)
To find the final coordinates, you will need to use the formulas below:
- For latitude, you can assume N30. The rest of the numbers can be obtained with this formula:
((F+E)*(J+G+H)*(B+A+G)*D)+(F*C*K)
- For longitude, you can assume W097. The rest of the numbers can be obtained with this formula:
((D+F+N)*(B+I+M)*(F+C+L)*E*N)-((J+H)*(F+I))
Check your solution
Finders of this cache can also discover a rare geocoin of the “Arches and Bridges of Central Park” geocache that was my inspiration. Also, the first 5 to find can take a limited edition souvenir postcard available next to the cache.
If you know of another cool mural in Austin and would like to share, please upload a picture with coordinates. I may use it in the future in case one of the existing ones gets painted over. I hope you have as much fun discovering these cool pieces of art as I did when I hid the cache. Enjoy!
