Five Star Drinks: Herbal Tonic--RETIRED LbNA #20742 (ARCHIVED)
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Jan 30, 2006 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Columbia |
| County: | Boone |
| State: | Missouri |
| Boxes: | 2 |
| Planted by: | Fox-fyr  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | LadyEilonwy |
| Last found: | May 27, 2011 |
| Status: | FFFFFF |
| Last edited: | Jan 30, 2006 |
UPDATE 06/01/11: The final two boxes in this series were retired as the park requires planters to live on the area and I will be relocating out of state. The rest of the series is still intact. If you find the rest of the series and want the stamps for the last two boxes, let me know, and I will mail them to you.
Welcome to the FIVE STAR DRINKS letterbox series.
In this posting you’ll find the following:
1) How this Series Works
2) A Drink Menu, listing all the boxes in the series
3) Clues for Herbal Tonic
4) Cipher Instructions for Twisted Path and Rail Fence Ciphers
1) HOW THIS SERIES WORKS:
This nine-box series was planted with lots of love as a thank you to LND-CRZR of Fulton, MO for introducing me to letterboxing, and also to celebrate his 36th birthday. All nine stamps and logbooks are handmade, and showcase some of our favorite beverages. As part of the fun, and to add a little mystery, the actual drinks are hinted at in the title of each box, but not revealed until you find the box.
To successfully solve this sippable series you need to love hiking, puzzling, and extreme letterboxing.
Before you can find the Herbal Tonic letterbox, you must first find five other “Five Star Drinks” letterboxes. The five boxes are spread throughout mid-Missouri, in Boone and Callaway counties, each near a different town or village. These unique locations showcase some of Mid-Missouri’s five-star features. Each of the first five boxes contains a partial clue to the starting location for “Herbal Tonic.” In addition, two of the first five letterboxes in this series also have their own Bonus Boxes (though you are not required to find them in order to find Herbal Tonic). You may find the first five boxes in any order, then assemble the clues in the proper sequence to find the starting location for the Herbal Tonic box. Then, continue with the clues at the end of this posting.
Note: A compass is recommended for all boxes (and required for some). All of the boxes are Bring-Your-Own-Ink. This series also uses the Roman Legion pace in which a pace equals two steps.
Good luck & happy letterboxing!
************************************************************
2) DRINK MENU: A PREMIUM SELECTION OF FIVE-STAR DRINKS OF MID-MISSOURI FROM THE CELLARS OF FOX-FYR CREATIONS:
(This is a listing of the boxes in this series)
BIG MUDDY (1 box)
A smooth, sweet drink that tastes sweeter than its name implies
SWEET / HEARTY (1 box)
A good drink to share with a loved one, especially on a starry night.
WINTER WARMUP (2 boxes)
Another sweet drink, this one’s definitely wet, wild and hot.
EIGHT OUNCES (1 box)
This drink actually comes in various sizes, and we usually find we can’t keep enough of it in stock.
TENSION TAMER (1 box)
Too excited to choose? This mild drink will keep you nice and mellow.
and the House Special
HERBAL TONIC (2 boxes)
An under-rated all-time favorite that not only tastes good but is good for you.
3) CLUES FOR HERBAL TONIC:
Compass: Required
Ink: I recommend green, black blue, red, yellow and purple.
Pace: One pace = two steps.
Length / Terrain /Difficulty: About one mile round-trip, half on trail, half bushwhacking, moderate terrain. Once you piece together and puzzle out the first five clues, the rest should be a walk in the park.
Other: I highly recommend a flashlight, clothes that can get dirty, and a camera in order to fully appreciate the final surprise.
CLUES: (The box is no longer at the location below but it's a nice hike with a neat surprise at the end anyway. Put together the five partial clues from five other Five Star Drinks lettterboxes then continue with the text below:
From center of the foundation, head 290 degrees 8 paces to fence post. The fence line runs west, roughly paralleling the edge of a cedar forest.
On south side of fence about 15 paces west are parts of two farming implements. The first may have been part of a horse/mule team harness. The second is a cultivator used to aerate fields. There is also a faint deer trail and some brush.
The north side of the fence line has less brush due to a chemical in cedar needles that inhibit the growth of many other plants, but the trail is fainter, and there are several downed trees to skirt.
Follow the fenceline west on whichever side you prefer (north or south). The fence is low enough in places to cross should you wish to switch sides.
At the end of the cedar forest, where you’ll see many downed trees, head uphill northwest to a rock outcrop. At the eastern end of the outcrop is a medium-sized tree with a smaller tree growing about a foot up from the base.
At the western end of the outcrop is a tree with a small hole in its base. Before you say “Aha!” search for LB beneath the rock ledge directly behind the tree (on tree’s north side).
Continue up hill and look for a small dip in the ground near a skinny tree and a hole that appears to be just large enough for an average size person to crawl into, and you'll see why I chose this location. there is also a nice rock pit nearby.
4) CIPHER DECRYPTION:
You’ll encounter two kinds of ciphers in this series (as well as some other puzzles). Below are the descriptions and instructions for using both of them.
◊ TWISTED PATH CIPHER:
To create a Twisted Path cipher, make a grid of X number of columns wide and Y number of rows high (graph paper helpful). You can decide how wide and high to make it as long as it all fits on one page.
Once you’ve determined the number of columns, write your message in the grid from left to right one row at the time. For example, to encrypt the sentence, “The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog” in a grid five columns wide it would appear as follows:
T H E Q U
I C K B R
O W N F O
X J U M P
E D O V E
R T H E L
A Z Y D O
G A B C D
Fill in left over spaces with extra, random letters. To make it easier when decrypting, you may wish to make the first letter of each word bold. If you wish to indicate the beginning of a sentence, underlien the first letter of each sentence.
Without lifting your pencil from the paper, draw a line through the grid so that it passes through each box only once. You can follow any path you wish as long as you can communicate that path to whoever is doing the decryption.
Examples of simple paths:
Start in the upper left-hand box, go down the first column, up the next, down the third, etc. Or start at the top right corner and go left-right-left-right down through the rows. Or spiral in from a corner.
Next write down the letters in the order of your path. For ease, you may wish to list them in five letter segments:
Using the same example grid and a down-up-down-up-down sequence mentioned above, it would look like this:
TIOXE RAGAZ TDJNC HEKNU
OHYBC DEVMF BQURO PELOD
In order for someone to decode it, they need to know two things: the number of columns used to encrypt it and the path taken through the grid.
Once they know the number of columns, they need to count the number of letters in the encryption to find out how many rows to make. (Or you may simply give them that information, too).
To communicate the path, a simple drawing somewhere on the page would be sufficient if the path is not too complicated: For example:
↓ → ↓ → ↓
↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓
↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ etc.
↓ → ↓ →
◊ RAIL FENCE CIPHER
This is a quick code to use, but hard to decipher unless you knew the method used. Unlike shift ciphers or simple letter substitutions, all the letters used in the code are actually part of real words.
This fact makes for a hard encryption to decode because there’s no sentence structure to aid decryption. Its like taking all the pieces from a Scrabble game, making as many words you can make while using each piece only once, then trying to put them into sentences.
To create a Rail Fence cipher, it helps to have graph paper. Write out your sentence in two rows so that the first letter is in the top row, the 2nd letter is in the bottom row, the 3rd letter back in the top row, the next below, etc. It helps to alternate the letters for easier reading. For easier description, make the first letter of each word bold.
T E U C B O N O
H Q I K R W F X
J M E O E T E A Y O
U P D V R H L Z D G
Unlike the Twisted Path Cipher, do not add extra letters at the end.
Then write down all the letters in the top rows, followed by then all the letters in the bottom rows:
TEUCBONOJMEOETEAYOHQIKRWFXUPDVRHLZDG
Next divide the letters into segments.
Ex. TEUCBO NOJMEO ETEAYO
HQIKRW FXUPDV RHLZDG or
TEUCB ONOJM EOETE AYOHQ IKRWF XUPDV RHLZD G
or
TEU CBONO JMEOE TEA YOHQIK RWFX UPD VRHL ZDG
The number of letters per segment are up to you. They may all be the same or of different lengths. The first is the easiest to read and decode as one just has to read from top row to bottom row then back up again. The 2nd is slightly harder, and the third resembles a real sentence.
To decode a Rail Fence cipher:
Count the number of letters used and determine the halfway point. Then read the first letter of the first half, then the first letter of the second half, then the second letter of the first half then the second letter of the second half, etc.
If you would like a cipher-lesson plan that explains how to decode many of the ciphers used in mid-Missouri letterboxing, please e-mail me using the "Contact the Placer" link.
Welcome to the FIVE STAR DRINKS letterbox series.
In this posting you’ll find the following:
1) How this Series Works
2) A Drink Menu, listing all the boxes in the series
3) Clues for Herbal Tonic
4) Cipher Instructions for Twisted Path and Rail Fence Ciphers
1) HOW THIS SERIES WORKS:
This nine-box series was planted with lots of love as a thank you to LND-CRZR of Fulton, MO for introducing me to letterboxing, and also to celebrate his 36th birthday. All nine stamps and logbooks are handmade, and showcase some of our favorite beverages. As part of the fun, and to add a little mystery, the actual drinks are hinted at in the title of each box, but not revealed until you find the box.
To successfully solve this sippable series you need to love hiking, puzzling, and extreme letterboxing.
Before you can find the Herbal Tonic letterbox, you must first find five other “Five Star Drinks” letterboxes. The five boxes are spread throughout mid-Missouri, in Boone and Callaway counties, each near a different town or village. These unique locations showcase some of Mid-Missouri’s five-star features. Each of the first five boxes contains a partial clue to the starting location for “Herbal Tonic.” In addition, two of the first five letterboxes in this series also have their own Bonus Boxes (though you are not required to find them in order to find Herbal Tonic). You may find the first five boxes in any order, then assemble the clues in the proper sequence to find the starting location for the Herbal Tonic box. Then, continue with the clues at the end of this posting.
Note: A compass is recommended for all boxes (and required for some). All of the boxes are Bring-Your-Own-Ink. This series also uses the Roman Legion pace in which a pace equals two steps.
Good luck & happy letterboxing!
************************************************************
2) DRINK MENU: A PREMIUM SELECTION OF FIVE-STAR DRINKS OF MID-MISSOURI FROM THE CELLARS OF FOX-FYR CREATIONS:
(This is a listing of the boxes in this series)
BIG MUDDY (1 box)
A smooth, sweet drink that tastes sweeter than its name implies
SWEET / HEARTY (1 box)
A good drink to share with a loved one, especially on a starry night.
WINTER WARMUP (2 boxes)
Another sweet drink, this one’s definitely wet, wild and hot.
EIGHT OUNCES (1 box)
This drink actually comes in various sizes, and we usually find we can’t keep enough of it in stock.
TENSION TAMER (1 box)
Too excited to choose? This mild drink will keep you nice and mellow.
and the House Special
HERBAL TONIC (2 boxes)
An under-rated all-time favorite that not only tastes good but is good for you.
3) CLUES FOR HERBAL TONIC:
Compass: Required
Ink: I recommend green, black blue, red, yellow and purple.
Pace: One pace = two steps.
Length / Terrain /Difficulty: About one mile round-trip, half on trail, half bushwhacking, moderate terrain. Once you piece together and puzzle out the first five clues, the rest should be a walk in the park.
Other: I highly recommend a flashlight, clothes that can get dirty, and a camera in order to fully appreciate the final surprise.
CLUES: (The box is no longer at the location below but it's a nice hike with a neat surprise at the end anyway. Put together the five partial clues from five other Five Star Drinks lettterboxes then continue with the text below:
From center of the foundation, head 290 degrees 8 paces to fence post. The fence line runs west, roughly paralleling the edge of a cedar forest.
On south side of fence about 15 paces west are parts of two farming implements. The first may have been part of a horse/mule team harness. The second is a cultivator used to aerate fields. There is also a faint deer trail and some brush.
The north side of the fence line has less brush due to a chemical in cedar needles that inhibit the growth of many other plants, but the trail is fainter, and there are several downed trees to skirt.
Follow the fenceline west on whichever side you prefer (north or south). The fence is low enough in places to cross should you wish to switch sides.
At the end of the cedar forest, where you’ll see many downed trees, head uphill northwest to a rock outcrop. At the eastern end of the outcrop is a medium-sized tree with a smaller tree growing about a foot up from the base.
At the western end of the outcrop is a tree with a small hole in its base. Before you say “Aha!” search for LB beneath the rock ledge directly behind the tree (on tree’s north side).
Continue up hill and look for a small dip in the ground near a skinny tree and a hole that appears to be just large enough for an average size person to crawl into, and you'll see why I chose this location. there is also a nice rock pit nearby.
4) CIPHER DECRYPTION:
You’ll encounter two kinds of ciphers in this series (as well as some other puzzles). Below are the descriptions and instructions for using both of them.
◊ TWISTED PATH CIPHER:
To create a Twisted Path cipher, make a grid of X number of columns wide and Y number of rows high (graph paper helpful). You can decide how wide and high to make it as long as it all fits on one page.
Once you’ve determined the number of columns, write your message in the grid from left to right one row at the time. For example, to encrypt the sentence, “The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog” in a grid five columns wide it would appear as follows:
T H E Q U
I C K B R
O W N F O
X J U M P
E D O V E
R T H E L
A Z Y D O
G A B C D
Fill in left over spaces with extra, random letters. To make it easier when decrypting, you may wish to make the first letter of each word bold. If you wish to indicate the beginning of a sentence, underlien the first letter of each sentence.
Without lifting your pencil from the paper, draw a line through the grid so that it passes through each box only once. You can follow any path you wish as long as you can communicate that path to whoever is doing the decryption.
Examples of simple paths:
Start in the upper left-hand box, go down the first column, up the next, down the third, etc. Or start at the top right corner and go left-right-left-right down through the rows. Or spiral in from a corner.
Next write down the letters in the order of your path. For ease, you may wish to list them in five letter segments:
Using the same example grid and a down-up-down-up-down sequence mentioned above, it would look like this:
TIOXE RAGAZ TDJNC HEKNU
OHYBC DEVMF BQURO PELOD
In order for someone to decode it, they need to know two things: the number of columns used to encrypt it and the path taken through the grid.
Once they know the number of columns, they need to count the number of letters in the encryption to find out how many rows to make. (Or you may simply give them that information, too).
To communicate the path, a simple drawing somewhere on the page would be sufficient if the path is not too complicated: For example:
↓ → ↓ → ↓
↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ ↓
↓ ↑ ↓ ↑ etc.
↓ → ↓ →
◊ RAIL FENCE CIPHER
This is a quick code to use, but hard to decipher unless you knew the method used. Unlike shift ciphers or simple letter substitutions, all the letters used in the code are actually part of real words.
This fact makes for a hard encryption to decode because there’s no sentence structure to aid decryption. Its like taking all the pieces from a Scrabble game, making as many words you can make while using each piece only once, then trying to put them into sentences.
To create a Rail Fence cipher, it helps to have graph paper. Write out your sentence in two rows so that the first letter is in the top row, the 2nd letter is in the bottom row, the 3rd letter back in the top row, the next below, etc. It helps to alternate the letters for easier reading. For easier description, make the first letter of each word bold.
T E U C B O N O
H Q I K R W F X
J M E O E T E A Y O
U P D V R H L Z D G
Unlike the Twisted Path Cipher, do not add extra letters at the end.
Then write down all the letters in the top rows, followed by then all the letters in the bottom rows:
TEUCBONOJMEOETEAYOHQIKRWFXUPDVRHLZDG
Next divide the letters into segments.
Ex. TEUCBO NOJMEO ETEAYO
HQIKRW FXUPDV RHLZDG or
TEUCB ONOJM EOETE AYOHQ IKRWF XUPDV RHLZD G
or
TEU CBONO JMEOE TEA YOHQIK RWFX UPD VRHL ZDG
The number of letters per segment are up to you. They may all be the same or of different lengths. The first is the easiest to read and decode as one just has to read from top row to bottom row then back up again. The 2nd is slightly harder, and the third resembles a real sentence.
To decode a Rail Fence cipher:
Count the number of letters used and determine the halfway point. Then read the first letter of the first half, then the first letter of the second half, then the second letter of the first half then the second letter of the second half, etc.
If you would like a cipher-lesson plan that explains how to decode many of the ciphers used in mid-Missouri letterboxing, please e-mail me using the "Contact the Placer" link.