Volunteers of General Guitar Multi-Cache

The geocache is NOT at the posted coordinates!

From its humble beginnings as a group of volunteers in 1825, the Columbia Fire Department expanded to include nine stations and computer systems that allow quick, immediate response. But where in Columbia are their stations located?

Locating the final cache will require substitution for coordinates, orienteering and visiting fire stations (and perhaps a sandwich).

Listed on this cache page is a series of waypoints and their corresponding addresses. Each lead to one of nine fire stations with a given fire station number in the Columbia city limits. Match the number with the address and substitute accordingly below.

N 38° 5A.BCA W 92° BD.E0A where . . .

A = 1400 Ballenger Lane
B = 201 Orr Street
C = 400 Green Meadows Circle
D = 201 BlueRidge Road
E = 2301 East Nifong Boulevard

Now that the starting coordinates are known, let's take a look at the orienteering from that spot. The cache is located FGH degrees from true north at a distance of IHJ feet. To solve this, visit either the fire station at 400 Green Meadows Circle OR 201 BlueRidge Road. The checksum for F through J is 22.

201 BlueRidge Road
A silver sculpture stands proudly at this fire station displaying several terms related to fire fighting. Find the word "sweep". Right below it should be the word "own". We are going to use the word above "sweep" and the word below "own" to determine the following.

F = number of a's in the word above "sweep"
G = number of i's in the word above "sweep" doubled
H = length of the word above "sweep" minus 2
I = length of the word below "own" minus 1
J = length of the word below "own" doubled

400 Green Meadows Circle
At the intersection of Green Meadows Road and Green Meadows Circle, one will find a small bronze sculpture at the fire station there. On a plaque describing the sculpture, note the artist's name.

F = number of o's in the artist's name
G = number of letters in the artist's full name divided by 3

Now, take a look at the sculpture itself. There are two mascots present: Truman the Tiger on the far left and Smokey the Bear on the far right. One will also see someone in the center holding a pile of books.

H = number of letters in Truman's name plus the number of his hands that are visible
I = number of letters in the name of the object Smokey the Bear is holding
J = number of books being held by the center person plus 3

With coordinates and orienteering information in hand, finding this cache should be a cinch. Take care, though, as the terrain rating reflects obtaining the cache more than the legwork required to determine the coordinates. Please replace the geocover as it was found to keep the container out of sight.

Permission to place this cache has been provided by Lida Gochenour of the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department. Observe park hours and, for your own safety, please do not seek this cache at night.