ALERT!!! The electronic "gadget" part of this cache is currently NOT functioning. It got damp in its former home in the one shed and a mouse may or may not have also tried to build a nest on the the electronics. Please solve this puzzle the 'hidden' way for the lock combination or contact the CO via messenger or email through the profile on geocaching.com for any further questions or assistance. Thanks!
There is no cache located at the posted coordinates, but you will likely find street-side parking (along 18th street, northeast side only - obey parking signs) within a hundred feet or so of the blue question mark.
Your journey to the cache container from the posted coordinates ('?') is a short walk. Please use the alley and please do not journey into the neighboring yards. You will be permitted to do your solving within the vicinity of the brown-painted buildings on either side of the alley. These belong to mrGreen317 and SageHippo.
To get to the cache log, you will need to play a game at GZ to get the combination. A common hand-held electronic device used by many (but not all geocachers) would be necessary to play the game. If you do not have access to one of these, there is a more complex puzzle provided to get the needed combination. That complex puzzle is hidden on this cache page. That puzzle could be worked at home to get the combination before heading to GZ. The choice of which way you want to play the game is up to you.
UPDATE 10/25/21 - Play it the 'secret puzzle' way to get the lock combination: j.mp to 2Zqujmk
The cache itself is located at N 40° 30.ABC' W 78° 23.DEF' See the simple game below for the exact coordinates. You can use the built-in checker to be assured of your answer before exploring around the neighborhood. (You certainly do not want to wander somewhere you are not allowed to be.) Once at GZ, either use the combination you found from solving the complex hidden puzzle on this cache page or try to use what you see at GZ to get connected and play the game on site.
Consider this simple game to get to the cache coordinates a warm-up for the game to be played at GZ (if doing that option for the lock combination).
Adventures in Geodesy
A: This half of a coordinate pair for any point on Earth's surface is described as the angle between the equatorial plane and the straight line that passes through that point and through (or close to) the center of the Earth.
B: This half of a coordinate pair for any point on Earth's surface is described as is the angle east or west of a reference meridian to another meridian that passes through that point.
C: This is the name given to the coordinate line drawn from north pole to south pole, running through the British Royal Observatory in Greenwich, England, at 0°
Potpourri
D: Created by Ground Zero Communications AB, this geocaching.com "authorized developer" is a separate website that handles advanced finding statistics and challenge checkers, now required for challenge cache submissions.
E: The year that the Oxford Dictionary recognized 'geocache' as a word.
F: Among the ethics listed in this dogma are "Avoid causing disruptions or public alarm" and "Respect property rights and seek permission where appropriate".
Some Questions You Might Ask (or Answer)
0: What is 2012?
1: What is 2014?
2: What is latitude?
3: What is the Prime Meridian?
4: What is the International Date Line?
5: What is the Geocacher's Creed?
6: What is certitudes (.org)?
7: What is Cache In, Trash Out?
8: What is project-gc (.com)?
9: What is longitude?
Find the cache at N 40° 30.ABC' W 78° 23.DEF'
Game notes for GZ
This is the first time for me to attempt a cache like this. There are some technical elements that could go awry (but hopefully not!). It has been tested with one type of device - one I have access to. Other brands of devices should work, but if you encounter any issues, call or text at the number provided at the cache site. Text is best, but be sure to leave a message at voicemail if you use the calling option and no one picks up. Your patience is greatly appreciated during the initial days of this cache operation!
This cache is located on private property with permission of the owner (mrGreen317 and SageHippo) You will be searching behind the residence of the 3 E's, and not all of the neighbors might be aware of the cache, so please, no after-dark caching (sunrise to sundown only), and please use the geochecker after solving the first puzzle for the adjusted coordinates. Obviously you might be spending a few minutes hanging around GZ during the game portion to get the combination, and you are more than welcome to relax in the vicinity of GZ as you do. The owner of the house directly adjacent to GZ on that same side of the alley is aware of the cache and is also a fan of geocaching in general.
Cache rationale:
- I have long wanted to have a cache in this spot, ever since before placing our first cache, GC6XN0Z, in State Game Lands, but my planned cache has still not come together yet. GZ may not be the prettiest area until more work can be done on the property, but so as not to let this spot go to waste on the geo-map, we will have this cache in place until the planned other cache can come together, probably not any time before next summer.
- With the "Streak Week" souvenir game going the week this cache was submitted, I was hoping it could help a few locals during those final days of the challenge. It did not publish on time for "Streak Week", but it does present an interactive challenge for the cacher to build a 'streak' of correct answers (questions) to get to the final prize - the combination to the cache!
- m3a9 probably needs some practice for the next big Game Night event, hopefully to be held in November.
- For anybody that missed our original Game Night, GC81F8Q, this might be a fun way to play some questions from that event, and one can also play without the pressure of other contestants.
It is possible this site could host future caches on an annual basis, rotating different kinds of puzzle-solving experiences to get combinations to a locked logbook. The nice thing about this location is access to regular electricity, which is not normally present in SGL or many other cache hiding spots. So enjoy our first of hopefully a series of cache/puzzles on this site. I figured a game-themed one would be the quickest to whip up given the short time from conception of the idea on Monday to the submission on late Wednesday night.
Many thanks to the green nikki for some of the game material, as presented during Game Night, Geo Edition event (GC81F8Q) in February 2019.
A congratulations on FTF goes to KB3PPS and KB3PPR. I knew it would be you...
A congratulations on STF goes to Profbrad. He may not have actually won an old car, but he did get a mini-hippo prize!
The first to "Beat the Streak" on the first try (with no mistakes before getting 1600 points) and also TTF (Third to Find) is none other than m3a9 and gylb456.
Leader Board of Highest Scores (1600 or better)
This leader board tracks the high scores (1600 or better) for players on the first run through the game, before they "break the streak" and have to try again.
2400 points : m3a9 and gylb456 on 9/3/2019
2200 points : ted28285 and r.e.s.t.seekers on 9/6/2019
To see how far you can go, if you get to the combination (1600 points) on your first try, note the combination down, then keep playing the game until your streak breaks!
This is a Green-Hippo cache