Anyone can hunt for this cache; however, the most pleasurable experience will be to do it with a child old enough to help in the hunt and young enough to enjoy the experience. So beg or borrow (don’t steal) a young person to take the walk with you.
Start at the given coordinates which are where your guided walk on the trails. Along the way are informational panels and artifacts with answers to the questions below. Match correct answers to those at the bottom of this cache description. Behind each answer is a number. Insert that number into the blank in front of the question you just answered.
Ready? Ok, let’s go. (Put your GPS away for now, but take it with you for the final location!) Walk from where you parked to the nearby yellow gate.
On the yellow gate you will see a sign that tells you an animal that may not go into the park. Look at question A and follow the directions. This one, letter A, is for practice, so you will know how to do the rest. I will be sure you get the correct answer for letter A.
A = _____ What animal is not allowed in the park, even if on a leash? Look at the sign for the answer. Now look at the bottom of the page to find that same answer. See the number behind the answer? Put that number in the blank behind A. You answer should be 0.
Start your walk, and just beyond the bike shed and rack, you will see an open area to your left with a sign at the beginning of a small trail. Leave the paved road only to read that sign.
B = _____ What is a good cure for nettle stings?
Once you have the answer, don’t head up that little trail - return to the paved road and continue walking along it. You have some distance to go, so this is a good time to watch for birds and animals. You should be able to spot narrow animal trails heading off into the woods. You may hear Great Blue Herons or harbor seals.
The paved trail has some curves. Follow it to the end where you will be able to go right, left, or straight ahead. You will go all three directions; the order is up to you.
If you turn right and go to the water, you will see an information board with the title "A Buffet for Birds."
C = _____ How many kinds of birds have their picture on this board? (Types of birds, not total number; look at entire board.)
Now look at the canoe near this sign. This replica is concrete and would sink, unlike the wooden ones the original settlers made. Because it is concrete, it will last and you can even crawl into it. Look inside the canoe for some surprises.
D = _____ How many baskets of seafood and berries do you see in the canoe?
If you turn left and go to the water on that side, you will see more canoes and information boards. One of the boards is titled "A Haven for Harbor Seals." While there, you may see some harbor seals out by or on the log booms. They may even bark for you.
E = _____ If you see a seal pup on the beach, what should you do?
The other information board is titled "A Nursery for Bats." You won't be able to see bats unless you go on a special night tour with staff. You can, however, see them in the evening at Capitol Lake. For more information, type "Bats About Our Town" into your computer search site.
F = _____ How many insects might a bat eat in just one hour?
Hint for final cache = Many bats live in caves; this cache lives in a cedar cave - one cedar on each side of the trail; the cave is in the one on the right as you approach.
Now look inside the black and red canoe.
G = _____ How many salmon did this fisherman catch today?
If you go straight at the end of the main path, you will see a covered area with a large number of information boards telling the history of the area.
Look for the panel that has the words "Creating a legacy for the future." If you are a kid, you are the future. If you are an adult, you are creating a legacy.
H = _____ How many kids are sitting near the water?
Now start walking back to where you started. However, soon after you begin that walk, you will see a small trail leading off to your right. It is the other end of the trail you didn't take at the beginning of your walk. Where it starts is an information board reading " Caution: Newt crossing ahead.”
I = _____ What animal is not killed by the poison on the newt's skin?
Now start walking down this little gravel trail until you get to an information board about wetlands.
J = _____ What does the layer of clay under the wetlands act like?
Now you have all the answers and will find yourself right by a spot to lean and figure out where the cache container is located. It's time to take out your GPS and enter the coordinates so that you know where to go.
You will find the cache at:
N 47° AB.CDE W 122° FG.HIJ
Here is a list of answers. Not all of them are used. It's up to you to decide which ones are correct.
2 = 0 (in other words, if your answer to the question is 2, then fill in the blank with a 0)
3 = 9
4 = 9
5 = 1
6 = 1
7 = 0
8 = 8
9 = 7
300 = 0
400 = 1
500 = 6
600 = 5
Fern = 9
Frog = 1
Slug = 4
Dog = 0
Cat - 1
Help it back into the water = 2
Strainer = 4
Slime = 8
Snake = 8
Soup bowl = 2
Stay away = 7