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Difficulty:
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Welcome to my very first hide!
One of Allentown’s somewhat odd features is the number of funeral homes located in a rather small area around center city. On Hamilton Street alone there are three between 16th and 17th (Bachman, Kulik & Reinsmith/Weber/Burkholder), and two additional homes a little farther down (Judd/Elias). If that’s not enough, nearby on Linden is Stephen’s, and on Turner is Weir. I’ve heard the Hamilton Street homes referred to as Funeral Home Row, Death Row, or other such names, and that’s how this cache gets its name.
While you could technically drive around to complete this cache, the name would suggest that the point is to walk around and have a good look at this cross-selection of Allentown’s funeral establishments. If you take my suggested route, this cache will result in a 2.5 mile walk and can be completed in around an hour. But what is the suggested route, you ask? The starting coordinate is at 17th and Hamilton where you can find street parking on either street. Walk down Hamilton until you get to Elias F.H.; then go north a block to Linden. Take Linden to West Park (passing Stephen’s F. H. on the way), and then cut through the beautiful park to Turner Street. You can take Turner Street to Weir funeral home where you will be able to find the final cords, get the cache, and return to your vehicle.
I suppose I should back up once again and let you fine folks know how visiting all these places will actually help you find the cache. Well, here are some nice puzzled cords for you:
N 40 EF.ACA
W 075 EG.DBG
A = Go to Bachman, Kulik and Reinsmith FH. The waypoint takes you to the main driveway off of Hamilton Street. There are several large decorative rocks a few feet from the sidewalk around the driveway. Take the number of rocks + 2 to get A. Note: This is only the rocks a few feet from the sidewalk, and includes the total number of rocks on both sides of the driveway, not the number on each side. DO NOT include any large rocks that are more than 10 feet from the sidewalk or the driveway.
B = Go to Weber FH. There is a walkway from Hamilton Street leading to the front door. If the flagpole is on the west side of this walkway, then B is 0. If the flagpole is on the east side of this walkway, then B is 1.
C = Go to Burkholder FH. If the main sign is teal, then C is 0. If the main sign is yellow, then C is 3. If the main sign is gray, then C is 6. If the main sign is burgundy, then C is 9.
D = Go to Judd funeral home. If the main sign is blue, then D is 2. If the main sign is yellow, then D is 3. If the main sign is red, then D is 4. If the main sign is green, then D is 5.
E = Go to Elias FH. On the top of the main sign there are Greek columns depicted. E is the number of columns depicted on either side of the sign; do not add the columns on both sides together.
***Stephens Funeral Home has moved to a new location, however they still have their name here, and the building is unchanged. As long as that remains the case I will keep this point as is. Once it changes hands I will remove this stop and just give the number out.***
F = Go to Stephens FH. The front of the building has a plethora of awnings which are primarily white, gray, and one other color. If that other color is red, then F is 2. If that other color is yellow, then F is 3. If that other color is blue, then F is 4. If that other color is green, then F is 5.
G = Go to Weir FH. Look at the front door, on the right side of the door, right next to the mailbox is a window. If that window is oval shaped, then G is 0. If that window is circular shaped, then G is 3. If that window is rectangular shaped, then G is 6. If that window is square shaped, then G is 9.
This is set up so you don’t have to actually go on the property of any of these establishments. Of course, if there are any engagements going on, I ask that you be as discreet as possible as you pass by. I do work for one of these homes, so if you have any questions on them or the funeral industry in general, feel free to send me a message. You can also message me if you are color blind, and I will give you the answers to the color related parts of the puzzle.
The actual cache itself should be quite easy, and the only reason this is a difficulty of two stars is because of the time and exercise required. While the research portion of this cache can probably be done 24/7 (as the funeral homes are generally well lit at night), you must get the actual cache during daylight hours.
The original container and location of this cache got flooded out, and the final is now a medium lock n lock container.
There is plenty of room for trackables and trade items in the cache, and along those lines I have a special request for everyone. Inside the cache you will find a pen from one of these funeral homes, and I’d like to collect memorabilia from each funeral home on the route of this cache. Please do not bother the homes with requests for items, but if you have had a loved one pass away and used one of these funeral homes and have a pen, piece of letterhead, or anything else with the funeral home name on it, please leave it in the cache.
Good luck! (Congrats to vauction for FTF!)
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gur svany pbagnvare vf n fznyy ghor. Tvir gur nern n tbbq frnepu naq lbh fubhyq unir vg. Zvtug or qvssvphyg jvgu fabj.