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Crazy California #12 - Giants of Lompoc Traditional Cache

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Hidden : 3/31/2016
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This cache is part of a geo-art series dedicated to interesting facts about California. The caches in this series are all within the La Purisima Mission hiking trail areas. Bring a pen/pencil to sign log sheets, tweezers for any tiny caches, small items to trade, and hiking necessities (food, water, sunscreen, etc.). Beware of poisonous plants and wildlife. Please take care of all caches and replace exactly as found to ensure they last a while.

 photo 10.jpg

In 1833, a group of Mexican soldiers stationed in Lompoc, were digging a powder-magazine pit on the old Lompoc Rancho one morning when they unearthed a human skeleton.  This skeleton, found beneath a layer of cemented gravel, was 12 feet tall.  The giant had double rows of teeth on its upper and lower jaws and was surrounded by burial offerings such as carved shells, huge stone axes, and porphyry blocks covered with hieroglyphic symbols.

Fearing that the find was a horrible, evil omen, the local Indians panicked.  To head off trouble, authorities re-buried the mammoth remains somewhere on the rancho.  This was not such a unique event.  Giant skeletons were discovered all over America during nineteenth and early twentieth-century archaeological and mining projects.  Dozens of similar remains were found in Lovelock, Nevada and the mound country in central Minnesota.

Indians in these areas were familiar with the giants and said their ancestors fought bloody battles against the giants.  Archaeologists of today have written off the stories as hoaxes or fantasy, but we can't be sure.  All of the giants remains have been lost or destroyed due to poor record keeping practices of those old days.  Some day, if excavation occurs in the hills around Lompoc, they may again uncover the 12 foot wonder.

Cache:

This cache will be tricky to reach, but if you follow the reference points I've included, they may help.  Stick to the open sandy areas to find your way, and bushwhacking should be minimal.  I had a tricky time getting in, but it was a breeze getting back out when I followed the path I took to get in.  Small camo'd container.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Onfr bs Gerr

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)