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Poseidon or Neptune? Mystery Cache

Hidden : 4/6/2011
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

The cache is not located at the above listed coordinates. You must first figure out the REAL coordinates to “Poseidon or Neptune”. The cache is in semi-suburbia so beware of muggles but also beware of slithery creatures. Parking is available nearby.

Poseidon is a god of many names. He is most famous as the god of the sea. Poseidon is one of six siblings who eventually "divided the power of the world." His brothers and sisters include: Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, and Zeus. The division of the universe involved him and his brothers, Zeus and Hades. Poseidon became ruler of the sea, Zeus ruled the sky, and Hades got the underworld. The other divinities attributed to Poseidon involve the god of earthquakes and the god of horses. The symbols associated with Poseidon include: dolphins, tridents, and three-pronged fish spears.

Poseidon was relied upon by sailors for a safe voyage on the sea. Many men drowned horses in sacrifice of his honor. He lived on the ocean floor in a palace made of coral and gems, and drove a chariot pulled by horses. However, Poseidon was a very moody divinity, and his temperament could sometimes result in violence. When he was in a good mood, Poseidon created new lands in the water and a calm sea. In contrast, when he was in a bad mood, Poseidon would strike the ground with a trident and cause unruly springs and earthquakes, ship wrecks, and drownings.

Poseidon was similar to his brother Zeus in exerting his power on women and in objectifying masculinity. He had many love affairs and fathered numerous children. Poseidon once married a Nereid, Amphitrite, and produced Triton who was half-human and half-fish. He also impregnated the Gorgon Medusa to conceive Chrysaor and Pegasus, the flying horse. His union with Aethra resulted in the birth of Theseus; and he turned Caeneus into a man, at her request. Other offspring of Poseidon include: Eumolpus, the Giant Sinis, Polyphemus, Orion, King Amycus, Proteus, Agenor and Belus from Europa, Pelias, and the King of Egypt, Busiris.

One of the most notorious love affairs of Poseidon involves his sister, Demeter. Poseidon pursued Demeter and to avoid him she turned herself into a mare. In his lust for her, Poseidon transformed himself into a stallion and captured her. Their procreation resulted in a horse, Arion. Poseidon is Greek for "Husband" (possibly of wheat), and therefore it is thought that he and Demeter (goddess of wheat) are a good match because they reign as the god and goddess of fertility.

Poseidon often used his powers of earthquakes, water, and horses to inflict fear and punishment on people as revenge. Though he could be difficult and assert his powers over the gods and mortals, Poseidon could be cooperative and it was he who helped the Greeks during the Trojan War. Poseidon is an essential character in the study of Greek mythology.

N 38° 38.ABC

A = The 200(A) movie “Poseidon” was a story about a luxury ocean liner, the Poseidon, that capsizes after being swamped by a rogue wave. The survivors are left to fight for survival as they attempt to escape the sinking ship. It starred Kurt Russell and Richard Dreyfuss.

B = The French Department of Subaquatic Archaeological Research divers (headed by Michel L'Hour) discovered a lifesize marble statue of Neptune, in the Rhone River at (B); it is dated to the early fourth century (convert the first letter of the cities name to a number to equal (B)).

C = Poseidon’s parents were (C) and Rhea (convert the first letter of the parent that is missing to a number to equal (C)).

Checksum ABC = 10

W 121° 04.DEF

D = The only spacecraft that has ever visited Neptune was NASA’s Voyager (D) spacecraft, which visited the planet during its Grand Tour of the Solar System. Voyager (D) made its Neptune flyby on August 25, 1989, passing within 3,000 km of the planet’s north pole.

E = Neptune is the eighth planet from the Sun and the (E) largest (by diameter). Neptune is smaller in diameter but larger in mass than Uranus.

F = The Neptune Society of Northern California chapter in Sacramento has an address of: (F)213 Garfield Avenue, Sacramento, CA 95841

Checksum DEF = 11

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

Congrats to gplamy for the FTF.

As always, enjoy.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre Ebpx

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)