2017 is the 10 year anniversary of NoVAGO, and the goal of this year's annual series is to pay tribute to some of NoVAGO's best caches and cachers. We hope to honor the experience of the original caches, but still put our own spin on the tribute hides.
Be the Reediologist is a tribute to one of NoVAGO's biggest contributors. Not only is reedkickball an all-around nice guy, he has hidden some fantastic caches over the years, and given back in many ways, serving as a NoVAGO officer, attended many CITOs, hosted events, and put blood and sweat (no word on tears) into the game.
Being a man of many interests Reed has brought us caches of many ilks. This honors a few of those - with some lighthearted jokes and "get to know me" factoids tossed in. Clues in blue are likely best done at home before you head out. Others will require you to visit a solemn place (and a former virtual location of a reed cache) The caches themselves are located in a Prince William County park (placed with permission), and will require a couple of miles of hiking (just like be the g***logist (also no word yet on Reed's further pursuit of medicine - though he did learn from Tom Brady that if you drink enough water you won't get sunburned. Snicker)
The physical caches can be found at 38 AB.CDE, -077 FG.HIJ
A - The third digit in largest number on the wounded combat veterans sign (see waypoint)
B - Might want to take a peek at this one before you head out as well. A famous picture was snapped by the person interred at these coordinates (the QNC webpage can give a hint if you are stuck). The first picture of the American Flag over Mt. Suribachi, taken by this gentleman, inspired Joe Rosenthal's pictures that are recreated with monuments outside of Quantico and in Arlington, among other places. Buried next to this famous photographer is a WWII veteran (initials WC). B is tens digit of day of the month when that soldier passed in 1969.
C - An homage to Genealogist - Counties. Washington County, Maine (a favorite place of Reed's) is the easternmost county in the US. First, figure out the year it was founded. Then, determine the number of questions asked on the first census taken after that year. If you're stuck, go to Genealogist Census cache page, or perhaps click here.
D - Reed loves to kayak cache. Like a lot. So much so that he can decode signal flags from a mile away. Decode this one for D.
E - The 4th Marine Division was highly decorated, and with good reason. The memorial here depicts numerous battles. E is the total number of letters in the name of the island depicted on the far left of the memorial.
F - The Striking Sixth is the only Marine division to be formed and disbanded overseas, never stepping foot in the U.S. This memorial highlights the accomplishments of several of the Striking Sixth groups. The tens digit of the highest number Marine division noted here is F.
G - An excellent view tells the tale of some (non tuck-rule) Raiders. G is the tens digit of the days of the month that the battle noted on the Raider's sign occurred.
H - Many 4th Division accomplishments are noted. H is the checksum of the # of the 4th division inducted into the Legion of Merit.
I - At the Striking Sixth many locations are noted. Standing looking into the memorial, convert the first letter of the third location from the right to a number (hint: left of Solomons)
J - The final piece of info you need to start your quest. An homage to Genelogist - Ellis Island. Find the last digit of the year that Chef Boyardee was logged traveling through Ellis Island. If you're stuck, visit the aforementioned cache page for a helpful web link.
PROUD MEMBER OF
Approved by Ranger Eric Wysocki PWPA
