Katy-did Multi-Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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One of San Diego’s trademark features is our exceptional Balboa Park. This four-stage multi-cache provides an introduction to the heart of the park and a few of the people responsible for setting aside such a large area in the middle of a future city and subsequently enriching the site to its current appearance.
UPDATE 10/19/2009: Previous container was verified as missing. Replaced with plastic Dole Mandarin Orange container. Lid has been permanently affixed to structure. Unscrew the container to gain access to new logsheets. Ten different colored lizards were added as swag.
UPDATE 12/29/2005: 12/5 Replacement container was verified as missing and replaced with a small camouflaged widemouthed pill bottle. Due to the repeated disappearances, the cache has been relocated 10-15 feet from original hiding location to a shady location. It is no longer in the tree roots. Final coordinate calculation has been changed to reflect the move. Hint has also been modified.
UPDATE 12/5/2005: 7/11 replacement container was verified as missing and replaced with a film cannister. Location remains the same.
UPDATE 7/11/2005: 4/10 replacement container was verified as missing and replaced with a film cannister. Location remains the same.
UPDATE 4/10/2005: Original container was verified as missing and replaced with a smaller, 3-inch high cream-colored pill bottle.
The starting point for this level, half-mile walk, bike, or drive is a life-size representation of the person who almost single-handedly created the incredible botanical displays you see all around you. Don’t be deceived – while a work of love, this accomplishment entailed innumerable challenges and a sustained lifelong commitment to bring forth this remarkable diversity of trees, shrubs, and flowering plants amidst our coastal desert ecology.
When you meet up with her likeness, you will notice in her left hand a natural object associated with the region and the park. In a ground-level basket next to her left foot are several more samples of this same item. Call the number of these in the southeast cluster A and the number of these in the northwest cluster B. There is also a date on a nearby plaque that indicates when the park’s transformation began. This date is 18CD.
The next waypoint is a short walk toward the heart of Balboa Park. It is located at N 32 43.(A+B)(A+B)7, W 117 09.1(C-B)C. Facing eastward from this location, at the edge of towering and ornate architecture, you will encounter a commemoration that gratefully honors our founding citizens and officials. The year this commemoration was placed is 19EF.
The third waypoint is N 32 43.(F)(F-E)D, W 117 09.0(Dx2)A. In contrast to the previous two stops, here you will encounter a unique and thoroughly modern feature that seems to attract and amuse everyone who strolls by. For the Geckos, it symbolizes the ongoing vitality and dynamic nature of the park – and it is pretty cool too. Nearby is a small plaque with the year of its creation GHIJ.
You are now on the home stretch. The cache is hidden a short walk from here at N 32 43.(4xG)(G+J)5, W 117 09.H7(Gx3) just a few yards from some of Katy’s sprouts and possibly right beneath your feet. Warning: GPS readings here can be erratic so you may need to take corrective bearings from nearby open spaces to draw a bead on the hiding spot.
For excellent background on Balboa Park and to help plan your visit, we recommend the (visit link) link.
Good luck and enjoy your visit.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
[Waypoint 1] – anzr bs gur pnpur
[Waypoint 2] – ybbx ng rlr-yriry, va gur fnzr qverpgvba lbh unir orra jnyxvat
[Waypoint 3] – zbfg pbafcvphbhf pevggre nebhaq
[Waypoint 4] – nobhg 20 cnprf ng 20 qrterrf zntargvp sebz Greel Yrr Fgbar
[Waypoint 4 Spoiler] - Haqre oevqtr. N ovg bire urnq uvtu orgjrra cnve bs pebff ornzf. Lbh fubhyq frr vg vs lbh ner snpvat fbhgureyl (gbjneq qbjagbja).