This should be a fairly quick and easy cache at the Maine State Visitor Information Center, accessible from the Maine Turnpike or Route 1. It is also a reminder to slow down, live life to it's fullest, and enjoy what's around you because you never know what the next minute will provide. In the time it took me to gather the data to hide this cache, I saw at least a hundred people pass by and not show any signs of noticing this plaque despite walking within six feet of it.
At 9:02 A.M. on April 19, 1995, the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was destroyed when a rental truck loaded with over 5000 pounds of homemade explosives was detonated in an act of domestic terrorism, killing 168 people, injuring more than 800 people, and destoying or damaging over 300 other buildings. It was the deadliest incident of domestic terrorism in United States history, and it was the largest terrorist attack on American soil before the September 11 attacks. More information is available on the FBI web site.
The plaque at this location memorializes eleven of the victims of this attack who were working for the Federal Highway Administration on the fourth floor of the Murrah Building. Aged 28 to 52, they left behind many friends and family members.
Logging Requirements:
There is no need to go inside the building to log the cache, but it is a nice facility and worthy of checking out what they have to offer.
To log a find on this virtual cache you will need to find the plaque at the posted coordinates and read the eleven names at the bottom of the plaque, then follow these instructions:
A = Count the number of full names which have at least one letter "J" in them.
B = Count the number of full names which have at least one letter "S" in them.
C = Count the number of full names which have at least one letter "U" in them.
From the posted coordinates, walk south by southwest to a point AB feet (BC meters) at a bearing of 202 degrees from true north (217 degrees magnetic). There is no need to go into any building. If you see Smokey the Bear on your way to the new location, you are going in the general direction (Smokey may be covered during the Winter months).
Once at that location, find the five digit number within 10 feet (3 meters) of you preceded by the letter "B" (As in "B12345"). The digits are easy to read, and will not be buried under any snow. The five digits of this number added up individually should equal 23.
Email or message me through geocaching.com with the five digit number you have found. Do not state this number in your log or post pictures of its location.
Pictures of your party at the plaque and/or with Smokey the Bear or elesewhere on the premises are encouraged but not required.
You may log your find on this cache before providing proof, but you must provide your proof within three days or your log may be deleted.
Thanks to mainiac1957 for the inspiration for this cache.
Virtual Reward - 2017/2018
This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.
