Answers only needed for accessible stages while construction is in progress
This cache will take you on a walk though the Capitol Park. On your walk you will visit plants, gardens and monuments that honor, commemorate or memorialize people and events that have helped to build California. On your walk I will point out a few locations where you can find, complete or begin some other Geocaches. The cache is wheelchair accessible. The terrain rating is based on distance. The difficulty is based on the number of stops along the way. You may visit the locations in any order. Enjoy your stroll!
As with most Virtual Caches you are expected to visit the sites to collect the information then send me the answers before posting your find. Plan on an hour+ to complete the walk. Feel free to post as soon as you send the answers.
The posted coordinates should place you on the California Seal on the Capitol Steps. To either side of the Seal are two large bronze plaques, one honoring Native Americans and the other listing significant dates in colonizing California.
Q1: There are four groupings of tribes on the plaque. What is the name of the first tribe in each grouping?
You are standing next to a Coastal Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens).
Q2: Why was Senator Byron D. Sher honored?
A plaque at this location honors an important plant for Native Americans.
Q3: What is this plant?
Two bronze bells are displayed near this location.
Q4: What is the date stamped on the bell from the USS California? What bell is replicated?
This location is a 2fer. This is stage 2 for Fish in the City a 2001 Virtual Multi-Cache. Stage 1 disappeared a long time ago so coordinates close to this are listed on its cache page.
Q5: What three countries and one US territory are listed?
You will find another bronze plaque at this location dedicated to a group of state employees.
Q6: Who does this plaque memorialize?
While California was still a colony of Spain, Father Junipero Serra built missions along the coast of California. The work continued after his death. A total of 21 missions were built. A road connecting the missions, El Camino Real, today follows highways CA-1 US 101. The purpose of the missions was as the primary instrument of colonization and to convert the "heathens" to Christianity. There are differing opinions on whether the Baptisms and relocations of Native Americans was voluntary or forced (Reference). Either way, the building of the missions was one of the major events in the colonial and post-colonial history of California.
At this locations you will see a round bonze plaques embedded in the concrete.
Q7: What is the full name of the mission in San Luis Obispo?
This location is the site of the California Firefighters Memorial. Another Virtual cache covers this location better than I can so I'll simply reference it.
Q8: This is a freebie. No question to answer. If you haven't already completed it you might want to "Find" Firefighters Challenge (GC7BCCK)
You are now at the location of the California Veterans Memorial. A dedication plaque is embedded in the bricks.
Q9: In the upper left corner is an American flag with a large star. What is the image inside the star?
The Purple Heart is the nation's oldest military honor, established by General George Washington in 1782 as a badge of Merit. The modern Purple Heart was reestablished on February 22, 1932. Looking at the monument it is apparent that some Purple Hearts were awarded retroactively.
Q10: What is the first war listed with recipients of the Purple Heart?
This waypoint brings you to the Cactus garden. There is a sign on a nearby tree identifying it as a "Desert Willow."
Q11: What is the scientific name for this plant?
Towards the northeastern end of the park is a Rose Garden. At the center of the garden is a fountain.
Q12: Who was the fountain built to memorialize?
Your final waypoint is at the California Vietnam War Memorial. Before going on to the final question I'll point out that this is the starting point for a challenging, old Multi-Cache Survivor Sacramento (GC25FA). I won't say how many puzzles and physical stages there are, but this is the only Virtual stage.
Now on to the final question. You will find a sculpture with a dedication from the people of California. Below the dedication are 4 images of soldiers.
Q13: How many of the images show a single soldier?
Thank you for visiting the park. My first visit was to find Fish in the City and Survivor Sacramento. I've returned a number of times, sometimes simply to enjoy the park and other times while geocaching. I hope you enjoyed your walk.
Congratulations to
WonTonMon FTF!
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.