The cache is not at the posted coordinates, but it is a good place to begin your tour. You may visit the virtual waypoints in any order, but following them as listed will take you on a loop with very little back tracking. The information can be found for each location by observing from the street. Do not enter the private yards or disturb the residents. This is not intended to be a tricky puzzle to solve or a hard cache to find -- it's intended to be a fun introduction to some well-maintained turn of the century beach homes with interesting history. Once you have correctly answered the eight questions below, you will have the coordinates to direct you to the cache.
North 46 2A.BCD West 124 0E.FGH
NORTH COORDINATES
A. The Marton Home: Built in 1884, a kerosene lamp was sometimes left burning after all had retired for the night. In the middle of the night in February 1904, a seaman stumbled to the back door after having swum ashore following the lamplight after being shipwrecked on the steamship Frank Howe that ran aground in bad weather.
What color is the fence surrounding the front yard?
Red = 1
Unpainted = 2
White = 0
B. Yeo Ho: This quaint summer cottage was built in 1895 and nicknamed after its first owner, Lillian Yeo.
How many stories is the Yeo Ho?
One story =1
Two story = 0
Three story = 2
C. The Shulderman Home: This home was built in 1888 by Peter Schulderman for his wife, Collie. Many of these grand old homes were occupied all summer by a wife and children, with the husbands arriving by train on the weekends to spend time with the family. This home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
There's a fire hydrant at the street in the home's front yard. What color is the hydrant?
Yellow = 7
Red = 9
Green = 6
D. The Sou'Wester: The large home you see in front of you was built in 1892 by US Senator Henry Corbett from Oregon as a summer house. Corbett sailed "around the horn" from Massachusetts to settle in Portland during the 1850's and chose Seaview for his family's summer retreat.
What is the primary use of the Sou'Wester at this time?
A convenience store = 2
A brothel = 0
A funky lodge and campground = 8
WEST COORDINATES
E. The Depot: The Depot was built in 1900 by the Union Pacific Railroad as a train depot to replace the shed-like waiting area that had been in use for more than a decade. After prohibition ended in 1934, the building became a tavern.
What is the primary use of The Depot at this time?
A restaurant = 3
A flower shop = 1
A t-shirt shop = 2
F. The Sand Castle: Built in 1898 by the Strand family of Aberdeen, who enjoyed the local Clamshell Railroad passing daily in front of their house on its route the length of the peninsula.
What distinct architectural feature does the Sand Castle have?
A moat = 5
No windows on the ground floor = 1
A large turret = 3
G. The Sea Chest: Built in 1895 by the Frenches of The Dalles, Oregon, as a summer place, who would arrive for the summer months with their Chinese cook and a stableman. The main house to the west of this location burned down at some point, and you are looking at the remaining building of the estate, the governess' house.
What unusual decoration is attached to the front of the home?
A mermaid statue = 9
A large ruler = 1
A totem pole = 4
H. The Thorsen Home: Last on the tour before the final cache location, the founders of the Thorsen Paint Company of Portland owned this small farm, complete with a windmill across the road. This home has a full basement, a very unusual feature in an area with such a high water table.
What outdoor household chore would be the most time consuming for these homeowners?
Washing windows = 0
Changing light bulbs in the lamps on either side of the front door = 6
Sweeping the front steps = 9
Once you have correctly answered these eight simple questions, you will have the coordinates to direct you to the cache. The final cache has been placed on the north side of the property with permission from the managers. Please be respectful and avoid disturbing any guests. The hint is a spoiler, and here's a giveaway Spoiler Photo if needed.
In memory of Laurie Freeman aka geocache reviewer "Wizard of Ooze", aka geocacher Half-Canadian and Scooter the Wonder Dog. This geocache was originally placed by her for the enjoyment of the geocaching community.