Quercus Veteranus is an exercise in walking, hunting, and
arithmetic. At each stage, there is a number to find or a group of
things to count. Take that number and perform the required
arithmetic on your current coordinates to get the next coordinates.
Bring your own paper, pencil, and calculator. You will need to
multiply, add, divide, and subtract to find these caches. Plan on
about 2 hours for your hunt, and a 1 and 1/2-mile walk on mostly
paved pathways.
While you are doing the hunt, there are two other caches that
are right along the way. Fustis is right at the beginning, and you
will pass very close to Pons on the way.
The coordinates given will take you to the first virtual, where
you also can park.
The park is heavily used; so be inconspicuous. Do not jump into
the undergrowth from the paved path to the cache coordinates—you
will draw attention! There is a fairly smooth dirt path used by
disc golfers that will take you near the cache; please use it.
I’ve tried to make this cache accessible to someone pushing a
stroller; the virtual caches all are reached by a paved path and
the traditional cache is placed in open woods. (Note—you can’t push
the stroller right to the cache.)
Dogs are welcome at the park. Leashes and cleaning-up after them
are required, although many people let their dogs loose to enjoy
the large grassy fields and the creek.
Requirements to compute coordinates for the stages of Quercus
Veteranus:
1. Start at (37' 57.303 by -84' 30.214). There is a structure -
locate the number on its sign. To find the coordinates to the
second virtual cache:
a. Multiply the number by 17. Add the answer to the last three
digits of the latitude of this stage’s coordinates.
b. Multiple the number by 42. Subtract that answer from the last
three digits of the longitude of this stage’s coordinates.
2. A tree has been numbered here (if you are looking at the new
signs, pick the ODD number). To find the coordinates to the third
virtual cache:
a. Multiply the number by 22 and add 3. Subtract the answer from
the last three digits of the latitude of this stage’s
coordinates.
b. Multiple the number by 8 and add 2. Subtract that answer from
the last three digits of the longitude of this stage’s
coordinates.
3. A park sign tells of a park feature (this feature is worth
the short trip down the dirt path.) To find the coordinates to the
fourth virtual cache, take the first number on the sign and:
a. Divide the number by 10 and add 8. Subtract the answer from
the last three digits of the latitude.
b. Add 74 to the first digit of the found number. Add that
answer to the last three digits of the longitude.
4. Below you is an "X" (the "X" is small and yellow. The number
"10" signs are not what you want). Above you is a baseball diamond.
It has six banks of lights, but you can see only some of them from
here; do not count any obscured by trees, even if you can see them
(winter rules). It is an odd, not an even, number. To find the
coordinates to the fifth virtual cache, count the ones you can see
and:
a. Multiply the number by 55, then add 6. Subtract the number
from the last three digits of the latitude.
b. Add 52 to the number. Subtract that answer from the last
three digits of the longitude.
5. The handrails at this stage have an equal number of vertical
supports on either side of the structure seen at this point. To
find the coordinates to the sixth virtual cache, count all of the
verticals and:
a. Multiply the number by 4 and add 7. Add the answer to the
last three digits of the latitude of this stage’s coordinates.
b. Multiply the number by 2 and add 2. Subtract that answer from
the last three digits of the longitude of this stage’s
coordinates.
6. To find the coordinates of the seventh virtual cache, count
all the wooden trash bins (don't count the one in the parking lot)
and:
a. Add 4 to the count. Add the answer to the last three digits
of the latitude of this stage’s coordinates.
b. Multiply the number by 65 and subtract 3. Add that answer to
the last three digits of the longitude of this stage’s
coordinates.
7. There is a path into the woods here. Turn around and count
the pine trees between the paved path and the ball field (NOTE: I
have had reports that some of the trees have been cut down, so I
will put this answer in for now. There were NINE trees). To find
the coordinates to the traditional cache:
a. Multiply the number by 2 and add 1. Subtract the answer from
the last three digits of the latitude of this stage’s
coordinates.
b. Multiply the number by 3 and subtract 3. Subtract that answer
from the last three digits of the longitude of this stage’s
coordinates.
You now have the cache coordinates. Take the disc golf path into
the woods and happy hunting.
Repeat: The park is heavily used; so be inconspicuous. Do not
jump into the undergrowth from the paved path at the cache
coordinates—you will draw attention! Please use the dirt path
instead.
This cache was placed with the permission of the
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government - Approval ID VP04
“Quercus Veteranus” is Latin for “Old Oak”.
Note: There are no math hints in the "hints" section. If you get
stuck, email me using my GeoCaching profile and I will send you a
hint. I have done this cache before taking over its maintenance,
and the math is pretty easy and accurate. Bring a calculator just
in case.
