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Welcome to Holliston Mystery Cache

Hidden : 10/25/2012
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Welcome to Holliston. This cache will take you to various famous and popular locations around this little town.

At each stage you will obtain a number that will eventually create the coordinates for the final physical cache.

Final location: N42 AB.CDE W071 FG.HIJ


The posted coordinates will take you to Holliston Town hall which will serve as stage 1.

Stage 1 - obtain the number of large ground based flag poles - This will be "A" in the solution above

Stage 2 - Holliston's "Moon Tree" - Here you will obtain the number of sides to the fence around the "Moon Tree" in front of Police station - This will be "B"
This tree was grown from seeds taken aboard Apollo 14 by Astronaut Alan Shepard.

Stage 3 - Arch Railroad bridge - Here you will obtain the number of arches then subtract 2- This will be "C"
A great stone railroad bridge that crosses the Boggastow Brook ravine. The tracks are long gone and this bridge is now a walking/biking path

Stage 4 - Casey at the bat, statue - Here you will obtain the number of sides on the fence around the Casey at bat statue - This will be "D"
Holliston's Mudville neighborhood claims to be the location of the 1888 Ernest Lawrence Thayer poem, "Casey at the Bat", and maintains an ongoing rivalry with Stockton, California, which makes the same claim regarding the poem's setting.

Stage 5 - Water Street Mill (The building on the East side of the road) - Here you will obtain the number of fire escapes facing the street and divide by 2- This will be "E"
Holliston Mill was built in 1825 for use as the Goodwill Shoe factory. Like many old New England Mills, it has found new life as office space for small business and for artists’ studios.

Stage 6 - Bullard Farm - Here you will obtain the number of chimneys on the main house - This will be "F"
The Bullard Farm was first settled by Benjamin Bullard in approximately 1652. The land was purchased from local Native Americans, and conveyed under the Keynes Grant and approved by the General Court in 1649.

Stage 7 - Kamitian Field - How many windows are at the concession stand - this will be "G"
Home of the Holliston Panthers football team. You can easily see the concession stand from the public road, you do not need to go on school grounds and you will not be able to see it from the parking lot or anywhere near the school buildings. UPDATE 4/21/19: The concession stand burned this morning so I will just tell you that the correct number here is 6. http://hollistonreporter.com/article/15188/concession-stand-burns-to-the-ground.html?fbclid=IwAR2k7un59mA63xPvEQNt4UZC98YgYPq4WQR9aq5XlpYVgLanKXE0yMf6g-4

Stage 8 - Outpost Farm - Here you will obtain the number of words on the front of the building above the awning - This will be "H"
Established in the 1950's as a chicken and egg farm. Now raises fresh Turkeys and vegetables. The farm stand now sells vegetables, turkey pies, fresh sandwiches, pies and other sides.

Stage 9 - Balancing Rock - Here you will obtain from the big street sign across the road. Subtract the first number from the second - This will be "I"
On the north side of Washington Street heading into Milford sits a large rock weighing easily over 5 tons. The rock appears to be balanced precariously on an outcrop of granite ledge. On November 6, 1789 General George Washington led his entourage from Boston to New York via this route. He recalled in his diary the road in Holliston that would eventually be honored with his name. Legend has it that, as they came across this "Balancing Rock," they took the opportunity to have some fun and tried their best to tip over the rock. It is said that the General himself, quite amused at the spectacle, added his muscle in an attempt to push the rock off its natural pedestal. Their efforts — and those of many others over the years — were to no avail as Balancing Rock still stands today.

Stage 10 - Fiske General Store - Here you will obtain the number of steps up to get in the front door - This will be "J"
Founded in 1863, is a town gem. Popular with residents, it's known for its catchphrase, "'most everything"

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Hc ba gbc haqre fbzr ebpxf

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)