There is NO cache at the posted coordinates. If you pull up an aerial view of things, you will see that they take you to the middle of the kiddie pool at Sleepy Hollow Bath and Racquet. I chose this particular spot because it very clearly says, "There is no cache here." So, if decide to go to the posted coordinates for this particular smiley, you may want to reconsider your options. I'm just saying.
A Cache in FAQ Format
Q - And how did this cache come about?
A - I was playing around with some numbers the other day, doing something completely non-cache related, when I noticed an interesting pattern. I had started out fairly simple (just arithmetic really) and went from there into something that I probably learned in elementary school (or maybe later. I forget, actually) What I noticed was that larger inputs gave you larger results.
Q - And what is your point? It's not like that should be rocket science. Besides, your stuff is a little strange most times anyway.
A - My point is that it worked for a while then it didn't. That caused some head scratching on my part. Eventually I pulled out a slightly sharper pencil, worked out the math a bit more carefully, and realized that, yes, things are supposed to work that way and that the desire to scratch was probably the result of too much sun on my scalp from not wearing a hat while training the geo-pups to herd sheep.
Q - And why should I care?
A - The reason you should care is that as I went on what I got the idea for a puzzle. I had to change things slightly, obfuscation-wise, but the germ of the idea was there.
Q - And when are you going to tell us these numbers?
A - Fair enough. What I ended up with is:
111 and 422
439 and 571
447 and 504
111 and 349
571 and 330
971 and 991
Q - And that's it?
A - You betcha! No hidden info on the page. No comments in the source. Everything is right out there for your amusement.
Q - And I should be able to do this puzzle by myself?
A - Absolutely. As noted, the techniques involved were something I learned in high school. If not, just go to the internet, the font of all knowledge.
Q - And am I going to have to sharpen up a pencil for this? Heaven knows you've done that to us before.
A - While a pencil will work, I know of at least two other ways to solve this one, and I don't mean to use a pen. There are probably more, but I stopped looking after two.
Q - And are you going to give us a hint?
A - No.
You are looking for a micro so bringing the appropriate piece of equipment (hint, hint, BYOP) will be important. Hopefully, I do not have to tell you what that particular piece of equipment is (am I write?). The container is hidden in such a way that it is out of site of the unaware but does have a "helper" for you. If you could arrange that the "helper" is still helping after you are done, life will be much better for the next cacher. Because this is a puzzle, please do NOT leave travel bugs and the like. They tend to sit there too long, plus, they likely won't fit.
There is parking in the vicinity. The specific choice of location is best made after a consultation with a map. You may have to cross a street at some point. Or maybe not. If you do, please look both ways. If the terrain gets steep or thorn-ish, you are lost. The muggle factor at GZ could go either way, mostly depending on the time of day (isn't that the way it always is with these things?).
Once again, if you already have one or more FTFs please wait 24 hours from the date of publication, and we might be able to share the FTF wealth. Of course, once the log is written into the first time or after 24 hours are up, all bets are off. I cannot enforce that request but I will ask nicely. And if it weren't my cache, I would have to wait too.
And since this is a Northern Virginia cache, the usual warnings apply: Heed all signs, consult a map before heading out so as to determine an optimal route, and wait for the last frost before planting your lima beans.
And of course, the obligatory geochecker.
Congratulations to Schwandt for the FTF!! And on his 400th puzzle yet!