perPETually Rockin' Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

jawalk07: I am archiving this because there is no longer anyone to maintain it. Janice (jaw) lost her fight with cancer earlier this year and I (alk) now live in Virginia. My apologies to anyone who was looking forward to finding this cache.

Allan

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Hidden : 3/3/2008
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
2 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:


PerPETually Rockin’

This is a mystery cache in our local pet cemetery. Local legend has it that a circus once came to town and, for some reason, one of the elephants died and is buried here. Turns out that it was a lion, not an elephant. We couldn’t find it, maybe you can.

Here’s some history to the Pet Cemetery (WARNING: short Hornell NY history lesson ahead. If you want to skip, please scroll towards the bottom of the page for the cache info. We thought this was interesting enough to include here, but it’s not necessary), quoting from the Hornell NY Evening Tribune, some years ago (not sure of the exact date).

“Friendship Grove,
The Hornell Pet Cemetery

The following article is reprinted from the
Humane Society Recorder
(undated source)

Believed to be the oldest pet cemetery in the United States and the second oldest in the world is Hornell's unique and well-kept cemetery--Friendship Grove located on Bald Hill, just outside the city limits of the city of Hornell, N. Y. Here are put to rest deceased pets from all over the county.

The cemetery was originally owned by Frank L. Myers who purchased the property in the year 1907 for the sole purpose of burying his departed canines. Soon he accorded his friends the privilege of burying their pets in his cemetery. The last dog owned by Mr. Myers died of grief, 24 hours after he passed on. Following Mr. Myers death in 1934, the cemetery was purchased by the Steuben County Humane Society and since then the Society has kept it up. Here in the shade of towering trees and beneath an odd array of tombstones lies the remains of between 800 and 900 animals from all over the United States. Although the cemetery was originally started with the idea of burying only dogs, there are cats, canaries, monkeys and also a horse and a lion buried there. Many owners have reserved plots for their second or third pet.

A large cement tablet has been erected on which is inscribed Senator West's famous eulogy to a dog. A large statue of an Indian bearing a monument of tribute to Mr. Myers was erected also by Mary Agnes Leahy and James Houlihan in 1935. On a tombstone of a poisoned dog is written an epitaph by the owner who claimed his pet was a better friend to the world than the "dog" who poisoned him. In Mr. Myers plot, apparently the first animal he buried there is marked with a gray granite tombstone with the markings "Trix 1892-1907".

Among the many canines buried there are "Baron Von Schnaps", a German police dog who was the mascot aboard the U. S. S. Lexington prior to it's sinking; also "Mr. Bum", mascot of the U. S. S. Texas; "Swaller", mascot of the fire department who died in 1908 while responding to an alarm; "Trixie", another famous firedog noted for leaping 65 feet from a ladder and landing in a net. He died in 1909.

Every Decoration Day the graves are adorned with flowers and many people visit the cemetery even though they are not owners of pets buried there. One marker is inscribed "Prince died September 20, 1936, Black as coal, Heart of Gold". Prince has been dead for almost 70 years, yet today there are flowers and a satin bow on his grave. A number of graves are marked with just a plain metal marker, some wooden, others are of marble, granite or stone.

The animals are buried according to their owner’s wishes. Several cats, also several dogs have been buried in satin lined infant’s caskets. One being sealed with a glass top. Another in a metal box coffin lined with silk containing a silk pillow for the animal's head to rest upon. The coffin was lowered into the grave with ropes with the usual funeral rites.

The Society's caretaker does everything in the cemetery from digging the graves, burying the animals, seeding for grass, setting up markers putting in foundations and keeping the grounds in order throughout the season.

There is a charge for burials which includes a temporary marker, also a fee of $1.00 per year for upkeep. A burial includes the box, digging the grave at a regulation depth and seeding. A map is kept up to date at all times showing the section and locations of each plot. A file in the office indicates each owner. There are several wrought iron seats throughout the grounds for people to rest on and the huge trees, of which there are many, give ample shade. An animal shelter adjoins the cemetery grounds.

Also we have established a perpetual care plan and many people have taken advantage of this. It eliminates all billing of the $1.00 a year fee and the important factor remains, after you have gone, your plot will be taken care of. Many people who live out of town are very happy with this setup.

For more information, click on (visit link)

Now, on to the cache:

Being a musician, we tried to keep along a musical theme. The clues are titles to songs.

The cache is in a miniature 50-cal ammo style container and has room for some small trade items. Our first trackable geocoin is also in here for the FTF so it can start its travels. The cemetery is located next to a BOCES (a vo-tech school) so, depending on when you do the cache, there could be muggles about. There is good parking, off of the road.

The listed coordinates will take you to the first grave marker. From there, just follow the directions. (You may want to bring a calculator, unless you’re really good at math).

Starting point (listed coordinates): (think Creedence Clearwater Revival - ________ Q), subtract the birth year from the death year, add 50 and subtract that from the last 3 of the W coord to get the last 3 of the next W coord.

N 42 20.283 W 077 40.???

Step 2: (Sonny and Cher – I got you ______ ), take the last 2 digits of the birth year, add that to 68 to get AB. Then take the last 2 digits of the death year, subtract from 120 to get CD.

N 42 20.2AB W 077 40.5CD

Step 3: (Prince – When ______ Cry), add the last digits of the birth year to the last 2 digits of the death year, then add to 452 to get EFG.

N 42 20.293 W 077 40.EFG

Step 4: (AC/DC – Back in ______ ), Add all 4 digits of the birth year together and subtract from 20 to get XX. Then subtract the first 2 digits of the death year from the last 2 digits of the death year and multiply by .55 (point 55) to get YY. These are the coordinates for the final cache.

N 42 20.3XX W 077 40.5YY

Happy Hunting!!!

Allan and Janice
jawalk07

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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