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Humble Homesteads Multi-cache

This cache has been archived.

CoyoteTrust: This multi-cache--partly inspired by the "Pumping Iron" series of days past--will now join enter the realm of archived caches. This cache existed for 14 years and 8 months, and it is almost two years exactly since the last seeker/finder. However, 80 folks found it and some folks DNFed and recovered later. There were some minor points of confusion along the way, so the cache was tweaked. Even the original final cache locale (a stone wall from the early 1900's) was dismantled--and the cache uncovered from its concealment; the stone was later used for trail reinforcement... hard to believe they got away with dismantling something historic, but oh well. Thanks to Right2It for adopting the cache some years ago while I was deployed to faraway places. Thanks to ALL seekers of this cache, and thanks to all 39 folks who have offered it a favorite point. I don't seek or hide caches too much these days, but the favorite points and the logs offer encouragement for possible future hide ideas I might have. Stay Safe out there.

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Hidden : 9/24/2008
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

I’ve placed this cache, in part, for “TheLoneRanger” (Dan) who seems to have disappeared from the caching scene. In late 2004, I was having trouble with one stage in Dan's Pumping Iron series. On 12/31/04, I met Dan & his pal Quentin; they helped me with the troubled-stage. Afterward, we hiked to the series final through areas which you’ll see today.

Most of the Cook County Forest Preserves were once privately-owned lands and farms. Hike deep enough in the woods and you’re sure to find signs of where some of the original homesteaders lived. So let’s take a hike to see some of those areas. The hike is fairly intense, but fun.

The initial stage of this multi is near the pump for the former “Pumping Iron #6” cache, so it’ll be a familiar area if you completed that series when it was active.

The final cache is in an area that I left alone for a long time – because Dan said he wanted to place a cache here. Since he’s not much in the scene anymore, I thought I’d use the spot. Maybe this will get Dan back into the woods.

Let's Take A Hike

Stage #1: Not many people know this is back here, but now you do

- Locate an object with a letter etched on it
- Convert that letter to a number (A=1, B=2)
- Add the number to the minutes portion of these coordinates: N41° 42.405, W087° 54.886
- Now you have the coordinates to Stage #2.

Stage #2: I’m not sure what else was here, but this is all that remains

- One corner of this item has a particular, carved shape – what is it?
- Convert the 4th letter of your answer to a number
- Add that number to the minutes portion of these coordinates: N41° 42.314, W087° 55.092
- Now you have the coordinates to Stage #3.
- NOTE: See hints if you want to locate a footpath from here

Stage #3: Before the forest grew to its present state, these homesteaders probably enjoyed a nice view over the land. Looks like they spread out in the area, too; I’ll send you to a cool spot from here.

- On the ground are various man-made objects. What shape are they?
- Convert the 6th letter of your answer to a number
- Add that number to the minutes portion of these coordinates: N41° 42.276, W087° 55.053
- Now you have the coordinates to Stage #4.

Stage #4: Very cool. You’re amid something that is unlike the rest of the areas you’ve traveled so far. Now it’s off to the final cache once you complete this waypoint projection formula:

- What is the common word to describe the type (genus) of objects surrounding you?
- Convert the 4th letter of your answer to a number
  - For Bearing: Add 260 to that number
  - For Distance (in feet): Add 9 to the result of your bearing

Final Stage:

Enjoy looking at the various objects you see in the area. Since a popular new trail transits this area, please re-conceal the cache as found -- or better. I hope you enjoyed the hike & tour. Thanks for visiting.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[Stage 1:] oevpx-ybj-olovtgerrf [Stage 2:] FJpbeare, abg n pbzcyrgr funcr [Stage 3:] gung cvyr bs fghss [Stage 4:] sbheyrggrejbeq [Stage 5: About 8 feet] cnfgraq bsjnyy [Footpath after Stage 2: N41] sbhegjbsbhegjbgjb, [W087] svirsbheavargjragl

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)