GROTTOED Multi-Cache

This cache has been archived.

THE HARRY MEISTER: Tired of it.

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Hidden : 9/14/2006
Difficulty:
2.5 out of 5
Terrain:
4 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


Grottoed adjective ensconced in a grotto.
That is how the Oxford English Dictionary defines the term "grottoed".
I think that when you find this that will allow me the "ensconced" part, but, I admit, the "grotto" part will require some imagination.
I just thought that it sounded classier than calling this the "Shoved into a hole in a rock cache"!
Anyway, on to the cache.
For starters, it is important to park along Watson Road at N39° 10.255', W082° 50.392'. This is the closest available parking spot to stage one (say, "Thank you, Harry Meister!") and also keeps you out of the way of the local residents. From here, simply go in my favorite direction (that would be up) to the first stage and here retrieve the coordinates and hint for the second stage.
The real reason I am bringing you here, however, is to be found at the very top of the hill about 20 feet from the location of the first stage. Here you will find what is known as a "smoke signal bowl". These are saucer shaped depressions having a diameter of about ten feet and lined on the perimeter with field stones. Typically these are found on ridge tops or slightly down from the top, but always in a location from which another hilltop can be seen. Construction and use of these signal bowls was by both prehistoric and historic Native Americans along the "Warriors Path" which, in southern Ohio, followed the Scioto River. Although several large fallen limbs now lay across this bowl, its contours can still be distinguished.
For a brief discussion of this topic in general and of the three signal bowls on neighboring Weddington Hill in particular, see (visit link)
This is a fasinating topic!
Other than the usual southern Ohio flora (read "briers") and the 500 foot climb from the parking spot to the first stage, this is a very straight forward cache. At stops one and two, all necessary information (both coordinates and hints) are in small Otter Boxes, and the cache itself is a .50 caliber ammo can. Please rehide well as this area gets more traffic than you might suspect! Hints, by the way, are encrypted, so you will need to bring a Geocaching decryption key. The walk itself is less than 1 1/2 miles round trip as the crow flys, but, that crow would probably be doing about twice that distance if he had to walk this! To be specific, you will occasionally need to leave the ridge top and abandon our beloved great circle arc due to the abundance of the aforementioned flora. This will add a few steps to the trek. I would like to suggest that, when in doubt, use the north side of the ridge. If not, then B.Y.O.B. (bring your own band-aids!).
One more little note. Just in case you might need it, you may want to bring a flashlight. It might be helpful.
To conclude, thanks for accepting the challenge and enjoy the adventure!

The Harry Meister

Additional Hints ()

Fghzc naq tebj

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)

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