Monday Afternoon Puzzle-Solving Mind Meld

2026 is the 250th anniversary of US independence in 1776 so that's the theme for this year. It's not my birthday today but it's within a few days and I'm already having so many events that I didn't want to have another one on my birthday.  And as many of you know, one of my favorite things to spend my time on is a good puzzle.

Focus:  geocaching puzzles (including field puzzles) that hinge on people and places., particularly anniversaries and birthdays and other personal celebrations.  Interpret that as you like.  You can bring other types too, but plan is to deal with at least one of the targeted type first.  Bring puzzlers that stump you or that you're itching to share, and with any luck a geo-mind meld will get us somewhere.  Bring your tablet/Chromebook/laptop if you like or if it might help, plus any relevant printouts.  As you think of specific puzzles you'd like to go over, post their names and GC#s in your Will Attend log so other folks can check them out before the event.

Out-of-towners welcome, especially if you need help on a local puzzle or want to share one from your home or travels.

Plan is to be inside unless there's no room.  Mini-cachers, family, friends, the caching-curious, the caching-retired, visiting geocachers, and friendly muggles all welcome.  Eat/drink/don't, your call.  No purchase necessary but BYO$ for anything you do want.  No animals or outside food/drinks in the cafe, and if you're not feeling well please send your regrets and join your geo-buddies another time. 

Specific location:
Simply Social Coffee 
11511 Sunrise Valley Dr
Reston, VA 20191
703-988-5568

Free parking (surface lot) is not overly ample but there should be enough.  Folks come and go often.

NB:  From Soapstone, it's a very sharp right into the first entrance to the parking lot. From Wiehle, can ONLY turn left into the lot at the end near the retirement home.

There are bus stops along Sunrise Valley and Soapstone and sidewalks/paths to the area.

To get to the entrance: 
Up the stairs between the two retail buildings.  Cafe door is to the right, above the dentist - look for the large semicircular window facing parking.

There's a somewhat steep but paved path that goes behind the left-hand building to the event area and avoids the switchback stairs; see "trailhead" coords.  If you need assistance with the doors (they're not automated), your geobuddies will be happy to help.

Or you can go offroad behind the right-hand building via the grass ;) 

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