#2 Marmot's Mural Mail Cache
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This is a letterbox micro, and you may choose to find this cache by either using the coordinates above or by using the letterbox description below.
A letterbox cache is a little different than a regular cache. Usually you would find a rubber stamp and stamp pad, however as this cache gets muggled often I have stopped replacing these items so it only contains a logbook. Sorry.
Make sure that you do a semi-circle once you are finished with the cache to read the plaque.
This is also the 2nd in our series of March Madness Mural caches. The cache is located at a spot that you will be able to view a mural of a pioneer of the Okanagan. These beautifully illustrated historic murals were created by lead artist, Michelle Loughery, for downtown Vernon. This project has been funded by the Government of Canada, the Downtown Vernon Association and the City of Vernon. Every year, a group of youth participate in the project to develop skills that they could use in the workforce.
The murals have been created with photographs obtained from the local Heritage Societies and Vernon Museum Archives of actual Vernon and area residents. These murals preserve the historical heritage of Vernon and give the community and tourists a glimpse into our rich past.
If you use the letterbox description, you will have a walking tour of downtown Vernon to view 17 of Vernon’s 27 murals leading you to the cache. You will need to start the hunt at the parking lot of the Vernon Recreation Centre or approx. coordinates: N50* 16.059 W119* 16.531. Walk to the west corner of 35 Avenue and 33 Street. Walking south, go past Kalamalka Lake, 3 trees, and a row of posts. Passing the World Wars mural, continue south to the lights. Cross and turn left to cross 33 Street. As you cross you’ll see a mural on your right depicting the Okanagan Indian Band. Continue walking east to the next traffic light, but don’t cross. Instead look at the wintery Sovereign Lake ski mural across the street to the left, and saviour the smells that surround you. Turn and walk south to the Geisha, and continue south to the next street. Pause to check out the Sternwheeler to your left and head to the next set of traffic lights. This is the very centre of downtown Vernon. Cross here and still continue walking south until you get to Coldstream Avenue. Look to your left as you cross this street to see a glimpse of the Creamery truck mural and once across, stop, and turn around at the Ellison Provincial Park sign. From here you’ll see three murals. Now cross the street you just traversed and turn left on the other side to travel west along Coldstream Avenue, crossing at the next street and continue until you reach the first hydro/telephone pole. Turn around to look at the Tromp d’Oeil mural and also across to Fishers’ to see the one there. Retrace your steps, crossing 33 Street and turn left to walk north looking across at the bike mural before you cross the main street. Once across, turn left to walk west and again cross. Stop when you get to the other side and turn around to see the cowboys. Hey, you’ve almost done a loop! You should be able to see down the street to where you started! Turn back and continue walking west, looking up above the store fronts on the opposite side you will see what this street looked like in 1911 in Vernon’s first mural. Cross at the next lights and keep walking west (you’ll pass under the tin cans on the rafters of the Chinese Hacienda). When you reach the driveway with the yellow posts on each side, stop and turn around to meet Captain Shorts and his crew. Continue on and when you see the yellow circle on the post you’ll know that you are getting warm. Go past the green railing and the rushing water, and curve to the right. Don’t feed the ducks -- instead look across the street at Catherine! Now head to the 3rd large rock to the north that is partially hidden by a juniper to find the cache. Again, make sure that you do a semi-circle once you are finished with the cache to read the plaque.
If you go directly to the cache coordinates as above, you will be seeing the following mural:
Catherine Schubert
Without a doubt, one of western Canada’s most resolute, intrepid pioneer women, Catherine Schubert traveled overland from eastern Canada to B.C. in 1862. Five months pregnant when she began the journey accompanied by her husband and three small children, Catherine braved poor food, torrential rain, clouds of mosquitoes, floods and high mountain passes. Close to term, Catherine and 35 of the overlanders rafted down the North Thompson to Kamloops. She gave birth hours after arrival to the first European child in the B.C. Interior. ( 27 x 80’) 2002
The excerpt above and picture below was obtained from the Downtown Vernon Association website.
***Can be high muggle area at times, but don't worry about traffic muggles as they drive by too fast . . . only need to worry about muggles feeding the ducks, walking, or ??? at the creek. NOT RECOMMENDED TO DO AT NIGHT AS YOU MIGHT NOT SEE THEM AND THEY MIGHT SEE YOU!
****The cache is NOT in a hole or down by the creek area!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Lbh zvtug or noyr gb frr vg ol oraqvat qbja naq crrevat haqre. Erpbire jvgu yvq naq gjb ebpxf cyrnfr. Znxr fher lbh cynpr vg jryy haqre fb vg vfa'g fcbggrq ol tneqraref.