Lower Agawam River Cache
Each year it seems like fewer geocachers get out on the water and paddle. This year my dozen kayak caches have a total of six finds. Heck, the average P&G gets that many the first week its placed. Well, de gustibus non est disputandum as they say, or they used to. But I'm gonna go with the Water Rat on this one, “Believe me my young friend, there is nothing, absolutely nothing, half so much worth doing, as simply messing about in boats”.
Hey, I'm aware that even puzzles and multis are more popular than kayak caches. But then I thought, as long as I'm trying to place a really popular cache, I might as well go for a Trifecta. So here you go: a seven stage kayak puzzle multi. That should definately get everyone out on the water. ;-) (As of mid 2024, the cache is averaging 3 finds a year, with 78% fav points in all and 100% FP from the paddlers.... You might enjoy it)
And the lower reaches of the Agawam River is a fine place to paddle. From the launch, head upstream to the head of navigation at the fish ladder to grab the first couple of numbers, then meander down stream to get the rest. It's beautiful and peaceful here. Lots of wildlife to check out. The fish are jumping and the elephant grass is high. And the fall colors are just getting going. What could be a better way to while away and afternoon...
Here's the deal : At each of the six virtual stages (coordinates given) you'll have to look around for the clue, find the number you need and write it down next to the matching letter. Here's a form to make it easier:
A ___ B___ D___E___F___G___H___
Once you have all the numbers, then plug them into the formula to create the cache coordinates
N 41 45 G___H___D___ W 070 4B___ . A___E___ (F-B)___
Easy peasy. Once at the cache coordinates, land your boat at the obvious spot, walk NO MORE THAN 10 FEET from shore and locate the cache. The small cache is head high and tethered so it can't run away. DO NOT approach the railroad tracks. The cache is not there and once in a blue moon a train goes by, so avoid it. There a geochecker if you are unsure of your numbers. If you don't have a kayak my sympathies. The rest of you, get going. Have fun, you two. ;-)
edexter
Note that the listed coordinates are for the parking coords, not the cache. You can check your answers for this puzzle on GeoChecker.com.
Update 6/10/24: Everything has been checked and is in place. Notice that the formula has been changed. The Lower Agawan is a tidal river: reaching the second stage requires a couple of feet of tide: go within a couple of hours of high tide and rising is better. You can estimate the state of the tide here