Key to the City Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

OReviewer: As there's been no response to my earlier note, I am forced to archive this listing.

If you wish to repair/replace the cache sometime in the future, just contact me email, including the GC Code, and assuming it meets the guidelines, we'll be happy to unarchive it.

Thanks,
-OReviewer

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Hidden : 1/13/2013
Difficulty:
4 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This is a 4 stage puzzle that will take you all around Philadelphia on a quest to find the 'Key' to the City of Brotherly Love. THE CACHE IS NOT AT THE LISTED COORDINATES. This is just the starting point.  FTF wins 2 free meals at a Philadelphia restaurant, located in another part of the city for you to explore. We will include new gift certs to other area restaurants from time to time so keep an eye out.

This is our (SRSK) first hide and we wanted to make it fun, historically educational and a little bit challenging as well.  Happy hunting!!

At each stage you will have to search for certain letters, that once decoded, will offer a helpful, final stage hint. You'll then need to look for a container that will have a clue telling you where the next stage is. Each clue container should be considered slightly larger than a micro and, to make it more fun, no container is exactly the same.

To complete this cache, you will need to stop at 4 different stages around the city. We will provide a hint for each stage. The final cache is small so please bring your own pen/pencil. PLEASE PLACE ALL CLUES BACK EXACTLY HOW YOU FOUND THEM. YOU WILL NEED STEALTH FOR EVERY STAGE. BEWARE OF MUGGLES. 

STAGE 1: THE UNKNOWN - Letters

Enter the area where the coordinates take you, and search for the Unknown.
Be sure to notice the 3 plaques that lead you down a path to the Unknown.
The letters you seek, are on the memorial but are laying in the same manner as the plaques you just passed.

Letter number 1 = the first letter in the first line

Letter number 2 = the last letter in the last line


STAGE 1: THE UNKNOWN - Clue

Now go beyond Washington, toward the corner of houses.
Then explore the area around the road you shouldn't go down, not once, but twice.

STAGE 2: CIRCLE GETS THE SQUARE - Letter

Once you've traveled to the area indicated by the clue found in Stage 1, walk around until you find a picture of the man for whom where you're standing was named.

Letter number 3 = 2nd paragraph, the last letter in the first line
 

STAGE 2: CIRCLE GETS THE SQUARE - Clue

Now turn around.
Walk past the Pope towards the Watermark.
Make sure not to slide down the Vine and make a voyage between Bulgaria and Brazil.
The clue is parked here.

STAGE 3: THE CLOCKMAKER - Letters

Once you've traveled to the area indicated by the clue found in Stage 2, you'll be in a place named after a clockmaker.
As you search the park, you'll notice a statue featuring a time piece with no hands.
Travel past this statue to the Star gazing Frog.
Continue on to the guardhouse then stop to smell the roses and spot the guarded rock.

Letter number 4 = 1st word on the plaque, the 6th letter

Letter number 5 = 2nd word on the plaque, the 1st letter


STAGE 3: THE CLOCKMAKER - Clue

We made this one easier. Stay close to the stone.
Leave Jenna & Mike alone, but don't leave their side.

STAGE 4: Ben's Base - Letters

Once you've traveled to the area indicated by the clue found in Stage 3, you'll be at Ben's Base.
Enter the square from the corner where Ralph Modjeski stands. (Ralph doesn't have the letters you seek)
No need to go far. Look for the plaque, in just a few feet. 

Letter number 6 = the 5th letter on the plaque


Letter number 7 = the 14th letter on the plaque


Now that you've found all the letters, use this number sequence to decode exactly what you're looking for.

SEQUENCE: 174'5 632


STAGE 4: Ben's Base - Clue

You've now made a historic trek around the City of Brotherly Love..turn around and look up at the sculpture across the street.

(PLEASE USE CAUTION WHILE CROSSING THE STREET..THIS IS A HEAVILY TRAVELED ROAD)

We now ask you to take a few steps more to find the cache.
Be sure to enjoy the statue and then the surrounding informational plaques. Some steps later and you're there. The cache is in this area. There is NO reason to walk off the statue grounds and onto the bridge.
Happy Hunting from SRSK!!
NOTE:
The phrase you decoded is what you'll find inside the cache.
To learn more about this sculpture, google the phrase (in Philadelphia).

CONGRATS TO G-Pirate and Jenny_D_Pooh for the FTF! Flag Counter

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[Stage 1 Letters: It's not the writing on the wall] [Stage 1 Clue: Double Do Not Enter/The Itsy Bitsy Spider went up it] [Stage 2 Letters: Look toward Moore] [Stage 2 Clue: Kiosk] [Stage 3 Letters: Enter on the Barnes & Noble side] [Stage 3 Clue: Not the padlock. Magnetic] [Stage 4 Letters: Look to the left. Don't pass the 4 flags] [Stage 4 Clue: Standing under the statue, look to Ben's base, notice the sign you can't read]

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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