This multi-cache is a nod to Navdog's excellent series of urban caches: Urban Jungle, Urban Art, and Urban Walkabout. (Though the finals are long gone, Premium Member's can follow the links and still get three highly recommended guided tours of downtown Portland.)
Instead of Architecture, Art, or Academics, this cache will take you to most of Downtown Portland's permanently displayed Animal population. The clues can be solved in any order, and the final is located within the region below. Simply note the creature or critter at each spot indicated by a letter on the map, convert the animal to a number using the handy table, then plug the values in to generate the final coordinate!
To help orient the map to the ground, the bounding streets are listed and an 'X' marks the posted coordinate of the cache page (a 'weather machine' that forecasts to great fanfare every day at high noon. Look for the Great Blue Heron on rainy days). North is to the right! Please make sure the lid is snapped tight after closing the container!
The cache can be found at:
45.BA.D2H
122.E0.GLJ
A ____ Eight (4 on the west face, 4 on the south) of these faces can be found just below the crest of this building (as 'capitals' of the 'pilasters'). Two more replicas adorn the entrance alcove, next to the parking garage. (1905, terra cotta)
B ____ Find five of these critters in and around the western-most pool. (1986, bronze)
C ____ These three sun-bathers are common faces in the NW. (1986, bronze)
D ____ Two are standing, watching vigilently at something (or someone!) over the fence. (1986, bronze)
E ____ This family won't go hungry today. (1986, bronze)
F __0__ This regal character stands guard above the sidewalk. (2002, painted steel)
G __7__ This is a familiar face, if oddly placed. (1900, bronze)*
H ____ Two greet your entry into the courtyard of one of Portland's older apartment buildings. (1922, cast stone)
J __8__ The critter beneath. (1922, bronze)*
K __2__ A small reminder of our rural past. (1999, bronze)
L ____ Somehow this shiny fellow got stuck in the corner. (1995, bronze)
* As of 2021, these statues have been temporarily removed due to civil disturbance.
Decoder Key:
| Bear - |
4 |
Elephant - |
6 |
| Beaver - |
3 |
Elk - |
7 |
| Buffalo - |
7 |
Horse - |
8 |
| Bull - |
5 |
Lion - |
1 |
| Coyote - |
2 |
Otter - |
0 |
| Dog - |
9 |
Rooster - |
0 |
| Duck - |
5 |
Salmon - |
4 |
| Eagle - |
3 |
Seal - |
9 |
Not part of the puzzle, but worth a visit if you have time:
- North Park Blocks at Burnside, between NW 8th & Park: Da Tung & Xi'an Bao Bao (enlarged replica from Shang Dynasty) (2002, bronze)
- NW 4th & Burnside : Sun Chau, China Gates (1986, bronze & marble)
Srrq gur zrgre vs arprffnel, gura ghea nebhaq, hc naq haqre.