Arcata Welcomes You! Multi-Cache
humspuds: It's time to open up the area to new caches and adventures.
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A fun 5-stage multicache celebrating some of our favorite Arcata places.
Established during the gold rush era as the town of Union, Arcata (population 16,000) has evolved over the last 150 years into a fun, funky community with a little something for everyone: a bustling downtown full of unique shops, easy access to unspoiled ocean beaches, hiking among the redwoods in the community forest and the beautiful campus of Humboldt State University. With so much to see and do, Arcata is a great place to visit – and an even better place to live!
Each cache is different, so use your geosenses and please rehide carefully.
Stage 1 is located in the heart of town. This place is home to the longest-running weekly Farmer’s Market in California, giving local organic growers a chance to sell their fresh produce directly to the public. It’s also the starting line for the world-famous Kinetic Sculpture race as well as the site for many of Arcata’s festivals and celebrations. A long-suffering bronze statue of President McKinley overlooks the action. A hub of activity at all times, you’ll need extra stealth in your search for the next coordinates; however, as this place attracts quite an offbeat crowd, geocachers should blend right in! Big clue: use the hint below to avoid disturbing the landscaping.
Stage 2 takes you to an innovative wastewater treatment plant and wildlife sanctuary that has become a model for other treatment facilities. The initial phase was completed in 1981 and the sanctuary now consists of 307 acres of fresh and saltwater marshes, grasslands, mudflats and miles of hiking and biking trails. This area is a birder’s paradise and is a primary site for Godwit Days, a spring birding festival that brings hundreds of bird enthusiasts flocking to Arcata.
Repairs to the levee began in August 2009, so several trails are closed. However, one of our favorites remains open and offers a self-guided tour with a taste of history. You may also see a colony of black-crowned night-herons, a few tree frogs, a cinnamon teal… or all of the above. Enjoy the tour!
Stage 3 brings you back to town and to one of Arcata’s major businesses. New in town? Check out this community resource located outside the business.
Stage 4 will take you past the recently reopened Arcata Theater and Lounge to Northtown and the gateway to Humboldt State University. In fact, this next spot has been operated by HSU for over 20 years, and has taught countless local children (and adults) about the natural world around them. Unfortunately, university budget cuts may lead to a permanent closure of this fantastic educational resource. Will the community rally to save it? Stay tuned (maybe you can help!)
Note: the 4th stage container doesn't have room for all the numbers, so add N40 to the first one, W124 to the second.
You’ve reached Stage 5! Of the many forest access points, this is the one we use the most. There are more than 10 miles of trails to explore in these 620 acres. However, the final cache is an easy walk from the parking area to a spot where GPS reception should be adequate (just in case, the hint is a giveaway). Note: in its new 2013 location, the container might be hard to spot , so bring a flashlight. The cache is a medium-sized Tupperware container with a $5 gift certificate for the FTF, some cool swag and lots of goodies having to do with this great town. Please re-hide very carefully as non-cachers visit this spot. Enjoy your visit – and if you already live here, lucky you!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
1. Gur ab-abf
2. Gbnq Cbaq envyvat
3. Fvta
4. Jnvfg uvtu
5. Ubyybj fghzc whfg n srj fgrcf hc sebz genvy
Treasures
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