Catalina "Code 8" Cache Multi-cache
ClubChamp: Came over on the 20th to discover that the container was in fact gone. Couldn't locate my contact in town so have decided that after over 9 years and multiple "likes" for the cache and tour of Avalon, I've decided that the time time has come to Archive the cache.
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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Back in the early 1950s I first began coming to Catalina Island with my family for a 2-week stay every summer. That lasted until the mid ‘60s. I have come by seaplane, steamer, private boat and lately the ferry. (A goal is to come via helicopter.) I remember the former “Steamer Pier”, miniature golf course on the main drag, the old “Block Ice” stand, the “Saint Catherine’s Hotel” and the “Bath House” to name a few.
In 2002, jm1372, tried to talk me into coming to the island via personal watercraft. I have been returning every year since then. Not owning a WaveRunner, being ALLERGIC TO SALT WATER, and not wanting to abuse my body, I either ride the ferry from Dana Point, or have been known to follow the mass of watercraft in a support boat. jm1372 has finally gotten smart and now joins me on the ferry.
In 2005, jm1372’s son, millerlite441, made his first trip with us. Once in the hotel room, he began “doing something with a small handheld device and computer printouts”. He explained that it was a GPS unit and taught me about the hobby of caching. The three of us then went out and found three caches. That December, jm1372 gave me a unit for Christmas. As the saying goes, the rest is history.
Each of them has placed several caches. We have considered placing one in Avalon for some time. We have talked about locations, types, etc. This year we started the initial information gathering and that afternoon found a location that met with our approval. We purchased a MAGNETIC HIDE-A-KEY in the hardware store, borrowed a painter’s brush and paint to offset the black plastic, and cut-up some paper for a log.
Our major concern in placing a cache on the island was the responsibility of necessary maintenance of the log and/or container as neither of us live on the island. We were able to find a "Local" who was willing to do any necessary maintenance.
When I explained its location, she told me that her husband is inside that ELECTRICAL BOX all the time. That solved our concern reference somebody working at the location, discovering the cache and disposing of it. We decided to see if we could place a cache in a downtown location that could last for more than a few days/weeks.
Reference the cache, and hunt itself, we wanted: A cache downtown; a cache in plain view; cachers to walk around town; and for you to relax. We are not sending you up any hillsides, nor into the backcountry.
The “terrain” is listed as a 1.5 only because the total stroll (not a hike) is over 1.5 miles. Those of you familiar with the area will know that there is no more than 10 feet of elevation change in the entire coastal area of town. You will not need to open anything or reach inside anything. Rental of a golf cart is NOT necessary. If you do rent a cart, there is parking in the vicinity of each waypoint, but NOT NEAR the cache itself.
The FINAL co-ordinates for the cache are:
N33º 2A.BAC W118º 19.DAE
WP1 = N33º 20.616 W118º 19.387; will take you to a park. There is a plaque showing that the park was dedicated by a VFW Post. The second digit of the Post’s Number = “B”.
WP2 = N33º 20.717 W118º 19.622; will take you to a large rock. On it shows the year of birth of the namesake. Delete the “8” from the year of birth. The total of the three remaining numbers = “C”.
WP3 = N33º 20.808 W118º 19.648; will take you to a historical building with a 2-digit address located to the right of the front entrance. The second digit of the address = “A”.
WP4 = N33º 21.045 W118º 19.708; will take you to a private beach. This GZ will place you on the beach in front of the bar. You will find a small group of palm trees here. The number of palms in this group = "D".
WP5 = N33º 20.556 W118º 19.420; will take you to a park with a war relic as its namesake. The relic was donated by an American Legion Post. The last digit of the Legion’s Post Number = “E”. (Coincidentally, this relic points directly at the cache’s location.)
You now have the co-ordinates to the final cache. Using those, AND the BOLDED and UNDERLINED clues in the body of the narrative, the find should be very easy.
As you will find, this is a very high muggle area. It will be up to you to insure that only cachers find it. Enjoy your stay on the island and we hope that you enjoy your walk.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Pna'g guvax bs nalguvat ryfr gung jbhyq uryc.