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Odyssey in the Shopping Centers Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

The VanDucks: We are sorry to see this one go, but the businesses here change so rapidly that we cannot keep up! In addition, the location for the final has not been maintained lately by the landscapers.

Thanks to all the cachers who did enjoy this one over the years!

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Hidden : 9/22/2009
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

We can never have too many shopping centers, can we? That seems to be the reasoning of the land-use planners along Rt. 7 in Loudoun County. Let’s go on a quest to two such shopping centers along beautiful Harry Byrd Highway in Sterling, Virginia!
(For less aggravation, we suggest you enter via the intersection of Rt. 7 and Lakeland Drive to access all stages of this cache without having to re-enter Rt. 7.) HINTS UPDATED 8-22-2017

UPDATED HINTS AS OF AUGUST 2017 As we continue our very occasional series of “Puzzle Caches for the Puzzle Challenged”, we once again observe the VanDuck rules: you may solve the puzzle completely when you get to the cache site. (However, we have provided a link to the final stage coordinates for those who like to check their answers.) All stages of the puzzle cache are within walking distance of each other, although the heavy traffic through these parking lots might make it safer for those with young children to do most of the “legwork” in the car!
The final stage, very close to a road, is a small container with a log and room for a few little trade items.

You will need to record the address number, usually above the door, at each location described; notice that some locations have TWO DIFFERENT ADDRESS numbers, so record and use BOTH numbers in those cases.

SHOPPING CENTER ONE - Parking: N 39° 01.078, W 077° 22.607
Business 1: Flapjacks, griddle cakes, batter cakes, pancakes; get ‘em while they’re hot!
Business 2: Stock up on international ingredients for hot Coco or the next exotic recipe you may want to cook – it’s all for sale here -- worth a trip inside to see the live fish tanks!
Business 3: Whenever she can leave the plantation, Scarlet likes to do her hair, nails and a facial, and sometimes she spends the whole "day" here!.

Solve for NORTH coordinates, by adding the address numbers: Business 1+ Business 2+ Business 3= _____________
From the sum, subtract 92,817, to find N 39° 0 __ . __ __ __

SHOPPING CENTER TWO – Parking: N 39° 01.128, W 077° 22.700
Business 1: Wonder how much interest will accrue if you leave your money here for 1,000 years...Anyone need to buy a bank?
Business 2: At last – some answers for those annoying computer problems!
Business 3: Would a cup of hot tea and some ramen taste good about now?
Business 4: Hope you're in the zone by now!
Business 5: 15 minutes can save you... oh, never mind!

WEST; add address numbers for: Business 1+ Business 2+ Business 3+ Business 4+ Business 5 = ___________
From the sum, subtract 7, to find W 077° 22. __ __ __.

Click to verify coordinates

Congratulations to imfirstdue for the scholarly FTF!

You can ALSO check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Svany vf abg sne sebz ebnq ( ab arrq gb tb bagb nal cevingr cebcregl be frnepu nal gerrf) naq ng tebhaq yriry.

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)