Note: There is no geocache hidden at the posted coordinates! Solve the puzzle below to find the correct final coordinates.
Welcome to my first geocache hide in Virginia! I decided to make this cache a puzzle themed around my favorite musical artist, Jason Isbell. Isbell, a native of Alabama, is a singer-songwriter whose work belongs to genres including folk, Americana, and southern rock. He began his career with the Drive-By Truckers in the 2000s. After committing to sobriety in 2012, Isbell has produced five major albums, both solo and with his band, the 400 Unit. His songs speak to a wide variety of American experiences, from being a child of teen parents to processing the deaths of friends. His newest album, Weathervanes, came out in 2023, which is also the tenth anniversary of his brilliant album Southeastern.
I personally came to Jason Isbell's music through my girlfriend, who started listening to his work and that of other Americana artists during the COVID-19 pandemic. At first I thought it was alright, but I didn't really get into it until I saw Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit perform at Wolf Trap in 2022. Hearing the songs in person, I almost immediately "got it," and I've listened to his songs frequently ever since. We saw "JI400" again at Wolf Trap in 2023, and we'll happily go check them out once more if they ever come back to the area!
To solve this puzzle, you'll have to consider some of my favorite Jason Isbell lyrics, as seen below. The title of this puzzle is both a song of his that I love and what I hope this puzzle is, compared to some of the other mind-melters in the DC area. Fans may recognize some of these lyrics already. If you aren't familiar with Jason Isbell's music, perhaps this puzzle will convince you to give his work a listen!
This cache is located at:
N 38 AB.CDE
W 077 FG.HJK
A = “This used to be a ghost town, but even the ghosts got out.”
B = “It’s knowing that this can’t go on forever. Likely one of us will have to spend some days alone.”
C = “These 5A bastards run a shallow cross. It’s a boy’s last dream and a man’s first loss.”
D = “She found love, and it was simple as a weathervane. But her own family tried to kill it.”
E = “I ain’t used to this, seeing everybody’s hand. I was raised to be a strong and silent southern man.”
F = “If I ever get back to Bristol I’m better off sleeping in the county jail.”
G = “My past a scary movie I watched and fell asleep. Now I’m dreaming up these creatures from the deep.”
H = “Now my back’s still hurtin’ and I’m too weak for workin’, and I can’t keep up with all the bills.”
J = “Nobody here can dance like me, everybody clappin' on the one and the three.”
K = “So girl, leave your boots by the bed, we ain't leaving this room 'til someone needs medical help or the magnolias bloom.”
You can check your answer with the Certitude link below, which also includes parking advice for the final geocache location:
You can validate your puzzle solution with certitude.
This cache has been hidden with the permission of the Fairfax County Parks Authority. Please abide by all park rules, and no night caching!
Good luck!