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Northborough Garrison (or Déjà vu all over again) Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

Charles_Carroll_VI: Long overdue construction has indeed compromised stage two. The garrison is done. Thanks to all that have visited.

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Hidden : 4/3/2005
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


Shortly after completing BugTracer’s Sudbury Garrison, I was in the library researching an area to place a cache when I saw something that stopped me in my tracks so to speak.  It checked out, and so, in the spirit of blatant imitation, here we go…

IMPORTANT: THE COORDINATES ABOVE ARE NOT THE LOCATION OF THE CACHE.  They are, however, the location of stage 3.  More on that below.

IMPORTANT #2: To complete this cache you will need to exercise good judgment, especially if children are along for the hunt.  High traffic areas, railroad crossings, bridge walking, and challenging terrain will be encountered.   There’s nothing inherently dangerous involved in completing any stage, but you’ll need to pay attention.

RECOMMENDED: I strongly recommend (actually prefer) that you complete Sudbury Garrison first.  While not necessary to complete this cache, it could enhance your experience on this one.  And after all, it was there first.

Your task is to follow the steps below and find the cache.

Step 1: Find the monument.  It’s between 2-3 miles of ground zero for the town.  If you need help you can go to the Northborough Public Library and check out “Images of America – Northborough”.  A picture of the monument is in that book along with a description of where it is.  (There’s also a map in the library that will help).  If it’s not clear that you have the right monument, the sum of all the numerical digits on the monument equals 41.  This is stage 1.

Step 2: Convert the date on the monument into MMDDYYYY format.  Separate this into two numbers:  MMDD and YYYY.  Take the number of the house nearest the monument, and call this X.  Perform the following calculations (drop decimal points from your end results):

                        (X+ MMDD) * 7.485  = NNNN

                        (X+ YYYY) * 3.832  = WWWW

Proceed to 42 1N.NNN, 71 3W.WWW.  This is stage 2. 

Step 3: At stage 2 you must find a rusted object that’s apparently not going anywhere soon.  It is approximately waist high and can be held in your hand.  There are words on the object.  One word is “American”.  Understanding the rust will make it hard to read, identify the eight letter word at the top of the object.  Turn that eight letter word into an eight digit number by using the key of: A=1, B=2…J=0,K=1,L=2…etc

For example, if the word was “American” the number would be: 13589314

CAUTION: there is a potential danger spot here, very near the object described above.  You do not need to leave the parking lot to find the object.  Again, use good judgment and there is nothing dangerous involved in finding the object 

Step 4: Go to stage 3, which is at the listed coords for this cache.  This is the area I was researching.  You’ll have a view of seven arches that support the Wachusett Aqueduct.  The aqueduct was completed in 1896 and was built to carry water from Wachusett Reservoir to “another reservoir in Southborough”.  Even though you’re at an intersection, this is a very nice spot.  Stop, take it in.  Take some pictures and post them and record the change in seasons. 

While you’re there find the micro.  It’s a small, strong magnet with a number on it.  Add this number to the number you got at Step 3.  Call this new number ABCDEFGH.  Proceed to the cache, stage 4, at 42 1A.BCD, 71 3E.FGH.

The cache is a medium sized lock-n-lock container. There is parking less than a quarter mile from the final.   When replacing the cache, please take care to cover it well with the ‘natural’ camo that's readily available.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

fgntr guerr: Gjb Obaq, Wnzrf Obaq

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)