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Johnston Island - A Tale of Changing Perspective Mystery Cache

This cache has been archived.

Vertighost: There has been no response from the cache owner, therefore, this cache has been archived. Please note that caches archived by a reviewer or HQ due to maintenance issues and/or non-responsiveness by the cache owner are not eligible to be unarchived.

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Hidden : 5/14/2010
Difficulty:
4 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size:   regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

Congratulations - Johnwip - First To Find

Johnston map


Warning: Puzzle Cache!
Proceed With Caution
Cache is not at location as indicated.
In order to find cache, read following description.



Ready to Make an offer? Before you have visions of Erve Villachez pointing skyward shouting “the plane, the plane”, whilst bringing your favorite umbrella adorned beverage, there are a few points of detail you should be aware of.

The deed will contain use restrictions. As listed on the governments property disposal website: The atoll was used by the Defense Department for storage of chemical munitions and as a missile test site in the 1950’s and 60’s. The island can be used as a residence or vacation getaway but it does not have Utilities or a water supply. The airstrip and the golf course are closed. After reading that, the big thought that might come to mind is “Can the airstrip and golf course be reopened?” But you should really be thinking “When the government admits to a missile test site and chemical munitions storage, what is it really hiding?

The missiles were of course nuclear warheads detonated above the island, the munitions storage was actually a chemical weapons incinerator, and the report forgot to mention the open-air biological weapon Tests. While all that was cleaned up, there is the little detail of radioactive debris from failed nuclear rockets which first rained down on the area and was then buried in a containment structure that will be breached by the ocean in 50 years. When they say “industriously exotic” they don’t mean regular industry in an exotic location.

Alas - we have missed our chance - the island is no longer listed on the U.S. gov.’s property disposal website. In January 2009, the Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument was established, which includes Johnston Atoll National Wildlife Refuge within its boundaries. The emergent lands at Johnston Atoll are still managed by the U.S. Air Force, but when their Administrative jurisdiction is terminated, they will be managed as a national wildlife refuge. However, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the atoll's inheritor, is concerned about the possibility of eventual radioactive leakage.

So my dear cacher - are you ready to plump Down your kids college money, IRA, and retirement funds for your own piece of paradise? It only takes a little bit of information to change ones perspective. And like Johnston Island, this cache at first glance might appear to be an easy find, even a park and grab if you will. However at gz I saw thorns, stickers and poison ivy, and don’t forget the mosquitos. If I have properly changed your perspective on this cache, you will stay home, and leave this one alone. Or if you have changed your perspective , you may sign the log.

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preparing to cache


NOTE: CACHERS- You will need a proper GPS device to find this cache. While possible, it is not intended to be done on an Iphone or like device. However, if you can find it with out use of a "real" GPS, then I will raise the difficulty to five stars just for you!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

1. [TO HELP FIND A CLUE HIDDEN IN THE TEXT] - Frrx uryc sebz Wnpxfba, Nhfgva naq Znqvfba 2. Abj gung lbhe ernql gb punatr crefcrpgvir, vg'f gur Gvgyr bs guvf pnpur lbh'yy arrq. 3. Crapvy naq cncre gb znxr pnyphyngvbaf? Gbb Pbzcyvpngrq, hfr lbhe tcf! 4. Fznyy Cryvpna Pnrf ba gur tebhaq - onfr bs ynetrfg gerr, haqre vg'f snyyra oebgure

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)