Birdwatching at the VEIP (Version 2) Multi-Cache
Son_of_Mt_Soma: Time to archive this one. Hiding place is being paved over for new construction.
Birdwatching at the VEIP (Version 2)
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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This is a small cache located conveniently near the vehicle emissions inspection program (VEIP) station in Forest Hill, MD.
After recently taking my car to be checked out at the VEIP, it occurred to me that some geocachers may appreciate having something to do after going through the VEIP experience. So, the idea of a birdwatching expedition was formed, since VEIP sounds like something a bird would chirp out. However, in keeping with the spirit of geocaching, this is not your typical birdwatching adventure. You will not be finding any actual birds (unless you come across one by accident). Instead, you are looking for signs and other markers associated with them.
This is version 2 of this cache. The original hiding spot (a road sign) for the micro cache was removed. After looking things over, I have found a new location for the cache, and I have changed the size of the cache from a micro to small. It can now hold coins and small TBs. Steps (1) through (3) are unchanged from version 1.
(1) The starting point (Point A) for this journey is an object across the street from the VEIP station in Forest Hill, MD (see posted coordinates for this cache). To find the coordinates for the next stop (Point B), you need to do the following:
(a) Count the number of hexagonal bolts (X) being used to hold parts of this object together.
(b) Count the number of letters (Y) in the name of a firebird (a species with brilliant red or orange plumage) that is very popular in Maryland. A large flock of them can be found at [N39 17.030’, W076 37.300’] from April to early October. However, you may have to fight the traffic in order to get a good look at them.
Coordinates for Point B:
Latitude N39, with minutes = (34.152) + [4X / (1000)] - [Y / (1000)]
Longitude W076, with minutes = (21.741) + [X / (1000)] - [7Y / (1000)] + (0.002)
(2) At Point B, you are looking for a six digit number [R S T U V W] that is located about 2 feet below where a bird is perched.
Coordinates for Point C:
Latitude N39, with minutes = (minutes of Point B) + [2R / (1000)] - [5S / (1000)] - [8T / (1000)] - [6U / (1000)] - [4V / (1000)] + [4W / (1000)]
Longitude W076, with minutes = (minutes of Point B) - [4R / (1000)] - [4S / (1000)] - [9T / (1000)] - [9U / (1000)] + [4V / (1000)] - [4W / (1000)]
(3) At Point C, you are looking for another six digit number [J K L M N P] located below where a robin circles above a large food source. From Point C, you will need to travel the below distance to find some local waterfowl (located at Point D). His hiding place is visible from Point C even though the bird itself is not.
Distance to Point D (in feet) = 2J + 2K + 8L + 7M - 7N + 5P
You do not need to go more than 250 feet from Point C to find this bird.
(4) To find the coordinates for the cache itself, you will need to measure four separate distances (as the crow flies) (in feet):
(a) Point A to Point B ==> a
(b) Point B to Point C ==> b
(c) Point C to Point D ==> c
(d) Point A to Point D ==> d
For each distance, round the value to the nearest ten, and then drop the last digit. Use the resulting values in the below equations (ex. for a distance of 1813 feet, round it to 1810, and then drop the last digit to arrive at a value of 181 for use in the below equations).
Coordinates for the cache:
Latitude N39, with minutes = (34.152) + [a / (1000)] - [b / (1000)] + (0.025)
Longitude W076, with minutes = (21.741) + [2c / (1000)] - [4d / (1000)] + (0.104)
UPDATE (17 May 2007): Congratulations to MDscramblers for being FTF for Version 1 on 16 May 2007.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
(1) Gb svaq Cbvag O, lbh jvyy arrq gur shyy anzr (gjb jbeqf) bs gur ybpny sveroveq. Fpevzcvat ol jvgu whfg bar jbeq jvyy yrnir lbh fubeg.
(2) N tbbq Unesbeq Pbhagl ebnq znc jbhyq or urycshy.
(3) Cnlvat nggragvba gb gur ebnq ba lbh jnl gb gur IRVC jvyy fnir lbh fbzr gvzr.
(4) Vs lbh unir gebhoyr zrnfhevat qvfgnaprf va gur svryq, gel uggc://jvyyvnzf.orfg.iju.arg/tppnyp.ugz va gur pbzsbeg bs lbhe ubzr.
(5) N fvoyvat bs gur oveq ng Cbvag Q vf xrrcvat na rlr ba gur "arfg" lbh frrx.
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