This cache starts in Dayton National Cemetery. The final stage is a
small lock-n-lock container hidden in a nearby cemetery
approximately 3 miles away on road. Allow some time to complete
this cache - this is not a simple two-stage multicache. This cache
will require you to visit a number of places in Dayton National
Cemetery. Gather the clues from the sites to get the coordinates
for the final stage. There are no containers hidden in Dayton
National Cemetery.
Start your adventure at 39 44.526 N, 084 15.190 W. This will be
more like a scavenger hunt than a typical geocache. This cemetery
is huge. You'll see what I mean.
Complete the next stages in any order. You'll visit 10 stages in
the cemetery. At each stage you'll collect a letter and number.
Once you have all the letters and numbers, you'll have the
coordinates to the final cache.
Stage 1: In section E, locate the monument for Christian Null.
The letter you seek is the second letter on the fifth line of text
on the marker. The number you seek is the second number on the last
line of text on the marker.
Stage 2: Somewhere in the cemetery is a historical sign
explaining the Blue Star Memorial. Keep your eyes peeled for the
sign. When you get to the sign, count the number of blue stars on
one side of the sign, that will be the number you seek. The letter
will be the first letter of the last word on the third line of
text.
Stage 3: In section 10, look for the marker for Albert McGill.
The letter you seek is the middle initial of Albert McGill. The
number is the last digit in the last line of text on the
marker.
Stage 4: Locate the historical marker for Joshua Dunbar. Nearby
you'll find a marker for W.H. Kellogg. The letter you seek is the
letter at the top of the arch. The number you seek is one less than
the only number on the marker.
Stage 5: In section 18, locate the marker for Gilbert Priestley.
The letter you seek is the third letter on the third line. The
number you seek is the third digit on the last line.
Stage 6: In section CIV, you'll find a monument for General
Marsena R Patrick. The history of General Patrick is quite
interesting - there is an great biography of him on Wikipedia.
Nearby, you'll find a monument for Jerome Thomas. The letter you
seek is the first letter of his middle name. The number you seek is
the number of lines of text on the marker, minus one. (Include in
your count all lines of text on the marker, including lines that
contain only numbers.)
Stage 7: Somewhere, in section F, you'll find a monument that is
not quite like the others. Time has taken its toll on this
monument, I couldn't make out the name on this monument. Nearby is
a monument for Neal Hunter. The letter you seek is the second
letter on the third line of text. The number is the first number on
the third line of text, minus one.
Stage 8: In section N, you'll find the marker of a recipient of
the congressional medal of honor, whose initials are GG. The letter
you seek is the first letter on the last line. The number you seek
is the number of lines of text on the marker that are not within
the shield outline.
Stage 9: In section 2, find the marker for Lemuel Purdy. The
letter you seek is the first letter on the small line of text in
the middle of the marker. The number you seek is the number of
letters in the last word of the marker, minus 3. (The last word is
an abbreviation - just use in your count the letters that appear on
the marker.)
Stage 10: In section 19, find the marker for John A Adams. The
letter you seek is the letter in the alphabet that comes before the
third letter on the marker. The number you seek is the third number
in the upper right corner of the sign.
You'll find the final cache at 39 AB.CDE North, 084 FG.HIJ West.
Please rehide it as you found it. According to their website,
Dayton National Cemetery closes at 6 PM except during winter, when
it closes at 5 PM. However, I've been there multiple times after
closing time and never been asked to leave, so use your best
judgement. There is almost always a Dayton police car patrolling
the grounds - so I don't think anyone minds if folks are there past
6 PM. If you happen to see a soldier exercising during your visit,
it might make their day if you tell them you appreciate their
service to our country.