This is the second cache in the Frog and Toad cipher mini-series. This is a multi-stage puzzle cache that celebrates a certain “Cryptic Tryptic” puzzle that I enjoyed so much when I first started geocaching. You just need to help poor Toad find his missing buttons hidden along the woodland trails in this park! The cache is NOT at the posted coordinates. Solve the puzzle below to find your way to the first stage. The trailhead coordinates can be obtained by using the certitude geochecker on the cache page.
Note: This cache has a keyword that is required to unlock the "Frog and Toad Are Friends" bonus cache. Please leave laminated clue cards in the cache containers. See the links at the bottom of this listing to access all of the caches in the series.
Toad is well known in Toadsville as a “Buttonologist," an expert and collector of unique buttons of all shapes and sizes. He even has an exclusive membership in the National Button Society! He is so proud of those buttons that he collected over the years especially his favorite, a shiny big blue button, and he carries his buttons everywhere he goes.
One early summer morning, Frog and Toad decided to go for a hike at Burke Lake Park. Toad wore his funny swimsuit, like he always does, left his bag of his precious buttons on the shore, and went off for a swim at the nearby lake. When he came back, his bag of buttons was gone!
“Someone has stolen my precious buttons!” Toad cried out.
“Who would do such awful thing!” said Frog.
Then they notice some suspicious otter tracks leading up to the edge of the woods and a note nearby, which said:
Dear Toad,
We have your precious buttons, and we have hidden them somewhere in Burke Lake Park! Hahaha! Solve the cipher below to reveal the location of the first stage of this cache! There, you will find the clues that will bring you one step closer to your favorite button!
CPIYMZYAJMOTADQZOCZRCJGZRJMGYDNXJQZMZYR
DOCWPOOJINIJMOCOCDMOTZDBCOAJMOTNDSUZMJAJM
OTNZQZIRZNOUZMJNZQZIOTNZQZINZQZIOZZIAJPM
Sincerely,
Crypto and Romeo
“Oh boy...this is going to be more difficult than I thought!” Toad said.
You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.
Links to the series of Frog and Toad cipher caches. These caches can be found in any order.
Congratulations to Cache Clown76 for making his 1600th puzzle cache find here!
NOTICE: This cache is hidden with the permission of the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) Park manager at Burke Lake Park. Geocachers must abide by all Park Authority rules, regulations and other restrictions. This specifically includes park access times. Unless posted otherwise, all Park Authority parks are open from Dawn to Dusk. Night Caching in Park Authority parks is expressly forbidden.
Please note: There may be a fee to enter the park at certain times of the year for Non-Fairfax County residents.
For Best Kids Cache
Most Creative Cache, Best Mystery/Puzzle Cache, and Best Theme/Series