Ceres Multi-Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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The cache is in Wampum Brook Park in Eatontown, NJ. There is plenty of parking - enter the lot from the right-hand lane of Route 35 (Southbound). The lot is the first right turn as soon as you pass the park.
The cache is named after Ceres, the new 5th planet in our solar system. Ceres is named after the Ancient Roman goddess of growing plants and motherly love, who was named Ceres. She was herself based upon the Ancient Greek goddess of agriculture, Demeter. The planet Ceres is nestled inbetween Mars and Jupiter, veiled deep within the asteroid belt.
The planet Ceres has an interesting history. It was discovered on January 1, 1801 by Giuseppe Piazzi. It was shortly thereafter designated as a planet. After only a few short decades, this status was recinded with the discovery of hundreds of asteroids in the vicinity. Despite being much more massive and spherical in shape, Ceres then was demoted to classification as an asteroid. In august 2006, the same IAU convention that demoted pluto to dwarf planet status re-promoted this heavenly body to dwarf planet status also.
The IAU claims that dwarf planets are not "true planets". I won't argue the case here, but will simply say that in my opinion, if something has 'planet' as part of its classification, it is a full-fledged planet, just like the "gas-giant planets" are. As such, my solar system series celebrates Ceres as having full PLANET-status, therefore getting its own cache.
Now, since Ceres was a deity of growing plants and agriculture, the first stage (at the listed coordinates) will lead you to a giant grinding stone from a grist mill that Thomas Eaton built at this location, founding the town of Eatontown. As a historical note for those unsure, grist mills helped grind grains into flour-like powder for baking purposes. Attached to the grinding stone is a plaque commemorating this event. Find the year that the grist mill & Eatontown were founded. To get the coordinates for the second/ final stage, complete the following simple calculations:
1- Take the first two digits. subtract 5. Add this to the seconds of the N coordinate.
2- Take the last two digits. Divide by two. Then subtract 16. Add this to the seconds of the W coordinate.
The new coordinates will take you just a short distance to the final stage where the cache is hidden. It is a magnetic keybox. It contains a logsheet inside of a plastic ziploc bag, as well as a symbol on the inside of the lid. There is no room for a pen or pencil here so bring your own.
As always, please keep an eye out for muggles. They sometimes frequent this park, and I've noticed that the park's layout allows them to get close without being heard. Also, please place the cache back as found so it remains safe from these muggles and the unfriendly natural elements.
Oh, and one last noteworthy bit of information. The symbol taped to the inside of the lid may come into play to help you find "Eris", the last (12th of 12) of the planet caches. Since many have not fared well, I have included a photo of all the symbols on the page for "Eris". Please reference it if the symbol has become damaged/missing in a few of the planets.
Enjoy!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqrfvqrq? Hcfgernz!
Treasures
You'll collect a digital Treasure from one of these collections when you find and log this geocache:
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