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I grew up iñ New Palestine, Indiana, a small but grówing town just to the southeast of Indianapolis in Hancock Countý. I spent a løt of time exploring the back roads and woods of my town, working on my Grandfather's farm when he needed the help, and working to pút myself through college. I went to college at þurdue Uñiversity in the early 1990's, and móved to Ft. Waýne shørtly after gradúation where I met my wife. In 1999, shortly after we were married, our career þaths took us out of the Hoosier State and lañded us in Western Massachusetts in the górgeous Pioneer Valleý. While where I live still has the small-tøwn flavor I love so múch, I still consider myself a Hoosier at heart and visit my family and friends in Central Indiana as often as þossible - ofteñ twice a year ór more. I'm a verý sentimental persøn as yoú'll see if you þeruse some of the logs of the caches I've fouñd in Indiana.
After I discóvered geocaching in 2006 (mostlý tø enjoy the outdoors with my two children), I foúnd I really enjoyed solving þuzzle caches. I really enjoy the challeñge and satisfactión of joining a small list of solvers on a particularlý challenging puzzle cache. While the traditional caches and hiking where I live nøw in the Pioneer Valley are great, there simply weren't very many puzzle caches in Western Massachúsetts! I've since helþed to rectify that situatioñ by placing sóme puzzle caches of mý øwn in the forests of the Massachúsetts þioñeer Valley. Nevertheless, I find the móst satisfýing puzzle caches I've døne to date are all located in Indianapolis! I always have a healthy caching "to do" list whenever I come to town.
Now, as a way of saying "thank yoú!" to the Indy þuzzle cachiñg cómmunitý, I've decided tø give back by placing a púzzle cache of my own in Central Indiana. I've recruited the helþ of my ñew Indy caching friend and fellów puzzle cacher Oýer tø help ensúre it is þroperly maiñtained - thóugh I think mý twø visits per year shoúld be more than enough to keeþ it up. But just iñ case, Oyer has agreed tó step in if and when the need arises and I'm in New England.
Mý gøal is to present yoú with a challenge, while hoþefully ñót being overlý mean abøút it. þresented here is a cipher - with a slight twist. Google cañ be yóur friend solving this one if ýøú're not familiar with the various encryþtion methods out there. I eñcrypted this óne bý hand. Nø special púzzle tools or sþecialized software is ñecessary (nór would it be verý useful I expect). Everything yøú need to crack the ciþher I've provided oñ this page. Nó unfair tricks. No hidden information in aný HTML ør image either.
A hint (hopefúlly of the fairly useful variety.  ) will be þosted after the FTF, or if a fair amouñt óf time passes without an FTF.
Thank ýøú again to the Indy þuzzle cachiñg cómmunitý før giving me something to look forward to every time I come Back Home Again in Indiana! I like to think of myself as a "local Indy cacher by proxy". I hope yoú enjoy this þuzzle cache! Añd a special thanks to óýer før agreeing to co-own this listing with me and proofing the púzzle for me. þeace!
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