The "High"way Multi-Cache
Hidden : 2/26/2009
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

This is a multi-stage cache that will bring you down one of America's finest historic streets. There is a designated bicycle lane most of the way and the route is approximately 2.5 miles long. The above coordinates will take you to the starting point where you will need to get information to continue to the next stage.

Congratulations to Fismo on FTF and finding my error on final coords. Change has been made.

At the above coords there is a marker. On the "port" side:

Second digit - 3 = A
Third digit -1 = B
Fourth digit + 1 = C

On the other side of this marker:

First digit + 1 = D
Second digit - 2 = E
Third digit + 2 = F
Fourth digit - 1 = G

Midway Point

N42 48.ABC W070 5D.EFG

This city is rich in history and geology and here you will begin your tour past many of these significnt locations. You will be travelling along a designated Massachusetts Scenic Byway that is located in a National Historic Register District, one of the largest in the country. On your way to the midway point you will pass "The Ridge" on your left, Newburyport's most exclusive section. This area was formed from the elevated bank of the Merrimack River as it curved to reach the Atlantic Ocean eons ago. Early settlers earned their place on the ridge as shipbuilders, sea captains and traders in the newly discovered Orient market. Merrimack Street, High Steet and Low Street were all aptly named to define social status in the community.

At the Midway Point coordinates you will find another marker overlooking a very big hole. This is a kettle hole that was formed when a large section of ice broke off from a receding glacier. Early townspeople filled the depression with water and it became the Frog Pond, a place to graze their sheep. Over time the area became a sand pit and later was the site of a windmill and then a ropewalk shed. The shed was dismantled in the 1800's to create a promenade fashioned after London's Pall Mall and was named the Bartlett Mall. Old locals still refer to this area simply as "The M-a-a-l". Here you will also see the Essex County Superior Courthouse (1805) that was designed by Charles Bullfinch. It is the oldest continuously operated courthouse in America where John Adams and Daniel Webster argued their cases. In 1976 the courthouse was bombed by a radical anti-government group and sustained serious damage. The repairs to the southeast corner are a visable reminder of the blast that was heard for miles. In front of the building is a shell from the Siege of Louisburg in 1759.

Final Point and Cache

N42 49.HIJ W070 5K.LMN

From the North coordinates of the midway point subtract 19 from the last three numbers to get HIJ. Take the year of the Bartlett Mall Renovation Project and add 1934 to get KLMN.

As you travel tree-lined High Street you will pass block after block of Georgian, Federal and Colonial homes fronted by fences and gates that are pieces of art on display. You will pass typical New England churches, the beautiful High School and several homes listed on the historic register individually. Over 90% of the buildings along High Street are more than 50 years old, many are tucked into lots far from the steet. This thoroughfare has evolved since its humble 17th century origins as the dirt road to and from the thriving community of Newbury to become an American legacy and a gem of the city of Newburyport. This may be the smallest city in Massachusetts but it is big in history, beauty, architecture and culture. I hope you enjoy your tour. Good Luck!!

Additional Hints ()

Cnnx gur pnn naq fgergpu lbhe yrtf.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)

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