The Mermaid Odyssey
The mermaids of San Marcos have been delighting visitors for years, each with its own unique personality, story, and artistic style. Hidden throughout the city, these colorful sculptures have become one of San Marcos' most recognizable attractions.
This cache is your invitation to visit ten of them.
The posted coordinates will take you to the Keep San Marcos Beautiful mural, which also features several beautiful mermaids. While it isn't one of the stages in this expedition, it's a great place to begin your journey and worth taking a few minutes to admire.
You may also notice references to a mermaid that once stood in Eddie Durham Park. Despite a thorough visual inspection while creating this cache, I was unable to locate it. If it still exists and you happen to find it, I'd love to hear about it! But don't worry, I found a replacement!
At each stage, you'll answer a simple multiple-choice question by observing something near the mermaid. Every correct answer corresponds to a letter. Collect all 10 letters in order, then enter the sequence into Certitude to reveal the coordinates to the final cache.
The questions are designed to be answered on location!
Expedition Stages
1. Ode to Ralph
Behind the mermaid is a Welcome to Discovery Center Gardens sign.
Question: How many butterflies are on the sign?
A. None
B. One
C. Two
D. Three
2. Aqua Reina
Near this mermaid is an art installation featuring a desk.
Question: What instrument is sitting on the desk?
A. Typewriter
B. Telescope
C. Telephone
D. Microscope
3. Before Us
Nearby is a bridge with a posted weight limit.
Question: What is the weight limit?
A. 3 Tons
B. 5 Tons
C. 8 Tons
D. 10 Tons
4. Mermaid #4 (no name?)
Find the nearby green street lamp with silver numbers about six feet above the ground.
Question: Which number is displayed?
A. 022061
B. 022106
C. 022160
D. 022116
5. Liquid Metal
Near the mermaid is a park bench.
Question: In what Maryland city was this bench manufactured?
A. Baltimore
B. Frederick
C. Dunkirk
D. Annapolis
6. Muse of Fire
Locate the nearby green street lamp with silver numbers.
Question: Which number is displayed?
A. 022076
B. 022607
C. 022067
D. 022670
7. Little Mermaid
Wait... there's a mermaid here?
Yes, there is! Find her.
Question: What color is her hair?
A. Green
B. Blonde
C. Red
D. Blue
8. Dianne
Behind the mermaid is a building with an eye-catching staircase.
Question: What numbers are displayed on the building?
A. 222
B. 212
C. 202
D. 232
9. Fish
Nearby are two manhole covers with matching inscriptions.
Question: What word appears on them?
A. Water
B. Electric
C. Sewer
D. Communications
10. Blooming Brightly
In front of the mermaid are engraved memorial bricks.
Question: What name appears directly in front of the mermaid?
A. Maria Hope
B. Samuel Pence
C. Linda Joy
D. Javier Love
Finding the Final
Each correct answer corresponds to a letter. Enter the ten letters, in order from Stages 1–10, into the Certitude checker. If you've answered every question correctly, you'll receive the coordinates to the final cache.
A Few Tips
- This is not a downtown walking tour. The mermaids are scattered throughout San Marcos, so expect to drive several miles between many of the stages.
- Most mermaids are accessible 24 hours a day, though some locations will require parking and a short walk to reach the artwork.
- All questions can be answered by observation.
- Please respect businesses, landscaping, and the artwork while searching.
- Most importantly... look around! The journey is every bit as fun as the destination.
Bonus Tip: Many of these mermaid locations are also home to Adventure Lab stages and traditional geocaches. It's a perfect opportunity to collect multiple smileys while exploring San Marcos.
I hope you enjoy meeting all ten mermaids as much as I enjoyed putting this expedition together. If you had fun exploring the city and discovering these unique works of art, I'd really appreciate a Favorite Point.
Happy caching, and enjoy your Mermaid Expedition!
You can validate your puzzle solution with
certitude.