The coordinates listed above are not to the first part of the cache, they are the coordinates to the entrance to get to the first part of the cache. We felt it was best to send seekers to the entrance first and then the cache so you’re less tempted to whack your way to the first part rather then strolling down a trail. This is a puzzling little cache that is made up of several challenges that during the course of discovery, will introduce you to many of the beautiful areas this site has to offer. UPDATE 2021-they now charge $5 to walk the gardens, it used to be free. Well worth it in my opinion. Along the way you will learn some of the history of this spot and there is so much to offer. There is a beautiful restaurant where you can sit under the banyan trees and eat, there are museums and mansions you can tour and theatres to entertain, galleries, gardens and gift shops, or simply sit or stroll by the water. The total walk is a little over a mile and this area is only open from 10am – 5:30pm so plan accordingly. This is my escape from work stress at lunchtime when needed, and it’s often needed.
Plenty of free parking is available and the parking entrance is located at N27 22.892 W82 33.506. There are shade trees in the parking area and if you’re lucky enough to get under one during the heat of the day your car will thank you. Once you have parked, find you way to the entrance at the coordinates listed for the cache. Then you can start on your journey thru Mable’s Garden. You’ll be disappointed at the end if you discard any of the clue numbers while you’re figuring out the clue coordinates to each stage so keep the scratch paper close at hand. This also keeps any sneaky seekers from trying to short cut there way to the final cache.
Part 1
The first stage of the cache starts at N27 22.998 W82 33.742 but don’t be in a rush to get there. This place is known to slow people down and allow them collect their breath and their thoughts. At the first stage you will find an interesting story of the history of this spot. While you read the story, remember how many other rose gardens in Florida have been awarded being an "Accredited Public Rose Garden" by the American Rose Society. Take that number and put it into the following formula :
N27 22.(988 + NUMBER1) W82 33.(794 + NUMBER1)
This will provide you the coordinates for Part 2.
Part 2
Go to the coordinates you determined above and start walking counter-clockwise around the circle. Along with your sightseeing, count the number of cherubs (small child-like figures) who watch you walk until you reach the building. (Please note that one of these lil' guys might be off on break so count his standing spot if he hasn't returned yet). Hopefully you are not too distracted by the sites while walking to remember this number. Take this number and put it into the following formula :
N27 23.(012 + NUMBER2) W82 33.(832 + NUMBER2)
This is the coordinates for Part 3
Part 3
When you arrive at your new coordinates you will find yourself near another beautiful garden. Take some time to admire the flowers as each area of the grounds have a different variety of plant life. While admiring the blossoms look around and count how many lions are also admiring the garden along with you. They will be close by so don’t look too far. And if you sitting here while admiring the garden, keep in mind that some lions may sneak up on your back! Keep track of this new number and put it into the following formula :
N27 22.(983 + NUMBER3) W82 33.(856 + NUMBER3)
You know the routine by now, you have the coordinates to Part 4.
Part 4
You will now find yourself looking out across the water of the bay. Probably noticing the people relaxing on the deck, dining and socializing. There will be a man quite close by you pointing out the way. Well, he may not be pointing the correct way, he’s got no GPS! He doesn’t have a horse throat but he does have horses on his chest. Count the number of horses on his chest, you’ll need this number so you can plug it into the following formula :
N27 22.(880 + NUMBER4) W82 33.(855 + NUMBER4)
Off you go again, but please take your time. Admire the architecture. Admire the plants. Admire the view. Take a second and close your eyes, let the sun caress your face and breath that breeze in deep. Then you’ll be ready to head to Part 5.
Part 5
While on the way there are several benches in the shade that you may wish to take advantage of. The banyan trees are incredible and that’s an understatement. At this location you will find yourself dwarfed by more art. Walk around and admire this, and while grasping the creativity behind this, count the sharp points. You will get the point. In fact, several of them. Keep track of this number and plug it into this formula :
N27 22.(857 + NUMBER5) W82 33.(790 + NUMBER5)
You guessed it, time to head to Part 6.
Part 6
A short walk away you will find yourself standing under the watchful eye of the ruler of his own domain but he is a little out of his element. While wondering why he’s not where he belongs, notice the points on the top of his crown. How many points? We don’t care because that’s not what we’re looking for. Check the way the end of his tail separates into different parts. Yeah, he’s got a tail. Count how many separated parts his tail divides into and put it into this formula :
N27 22.(881 + NUMBER6) W82 33.(708 + NUMBER6)
Time to head to Part 7, almost done, but you know you’re enjoying the walk.
Part 7
There are several ways to get to this part and the more winding path you take the more you’ll get to see. When you arrive you will find yourself to not be alone as several people are doing battle with a bull and a lady tied to the back of another. A lot behind the sculptures so take some time to read the sign. When you look around the statues you will find lions doing battle with animals, count the total animals on this part of the sculpture and yes, turtles count as animals. When you count these use this as NUMBER7 in the following formula (batteries not dead on your calculator yet?) :
Add together all the clue numbers together to find the TOTAL :
NUMBER1 + NUMBER2 + NUMBER3 + NUMBER4 + NUMBER5 + NUMBER6 + NUMBER7
Put the TOTAL into the following formula :
N27 22.(901 + TOTAL) W82 33.(475 + TOTAL)
This is the coordinates to the final stage which is a micro-cache with only a log book so bring your own pen (with all the math you’ll do you may want to bring two). The cache itself is not located on the grounds as we did not wish to diminish the beauty and serenity that abounds here. Sign the log book and replace as you found it. There may be many slow moving muggles around so still practice your best stealth skills. The best part of this cache is not the cache itself, but the sites and experience of visiting here and hopefully you’ll return.
PLEASE NOTE : A kind geocacher wrote and informed me the final cache was left completely naked in totally plain sight. This area has heavy muggler traffic and this is a new cache which is still quite shy, so after you find and sign the log, PLEASE cover well with a layer or two of some of the local mossy blanketing hanging around. THANKS!!!
Enjoy!!!
You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.
Stage 7 was updated (again) 2019-0224
----- FTF March 4, 2006 by floridagrampy -----