***The cache is not at the posted coordinates. Solve the puzzle below to find the final coordinates.***
Most people know about Lewis and Clark’s trip through Kansas City. It’s commonly believed that they arrived at Kaw Point on June 26, 1804, and just camped there for three days. But I’ve just discovered a transcript that tells a different story....
June 27, 1804
Lewis: Man, are you sure this is the way we’re supposed to be going?
Clark (coughing): Yeah, (cough) this is what the message from President Jefferson said to do.
Lewis: I just feel like we should be following the Missouri River. Why are we clear out here in De Soto?
Clark: I (cough) am just following the (cough) instructions from the President.
Lewis: Why are you coughing so much?
Clark: I don’t know (cough). I think I’ve got desert rheumatism.
Lewis: Desert rheumatism? What on earth is that? And how can you have desert rheumatism? Did we cross a desert somewhere between St. Louis and here?
Clark: I don’t know, man. (cough) I just think I must have breathed in some fungus spores (cough) or something.
Lewis: Whatever! Where are those directions from the President?
Clark (handing Lewis a scrap of paper): Here you go. (cough) I should tell you, though, I think he might have changed the password.
Lewis: I think that “desert rheumatism” has gone to your head. The password is “artichokes.” It’s always been “artichokes,” it will always be “artichokes,” … um, it doesn’t appear to be “artichokes.”
Clark (coughing): Yeah, that’s what I was trying to tell you. (cough) It ain’t “artichokes.” (cough)
Lewis: Hmm, then what could it be? …
(Three hours later)
Lewis: Wow, that was tricky. But I got it figured out.
Clark: You figured out (cough) the new password?
Lewis: Yeah, and I think you maybe actually do have desert rheumatism, but how would President Jefferson have known … ?
10 APR 2025: I visited the cache today, and the coordinates were not as tight as I had thought. For best results, subtract .004 from the north coordinates and .002 from the west coordinates of the puzzle solution.