On the left (or above if you’re on a mobile device) is the image of a letter written by James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, and partially written in code.
If you’ve recieved one of the National Park Mystery Series bookmarks, you’ll notice that each one has a unique quote on the back that can decoded using one of the following methods.
1. The Atbash Cipher: This cipher reverses the alphabet, so it is quite simple to decode. Z = A, B = Y, etc.
2. Caeser Cipher: This one is super cool because you need a decoding tool. The one I used to create the Caesar Cipher on the Great Sand Dunes bookmark is found at Bob McKay’s site: Caesar Cipher Decoder Wheel.
A Caeser Cipher requires a shift, and our shift for the Sand Dunes bookmark is #23. The shift is the number that will appear in the square hole when you turn the wheel.
3. Pigpen Cipher: The pigpen cipher is thought to have been created hundreds of years ago by Hebrew Rabbis, and later used by such groups as the Knights Templar, and the patriots of the American Revolution. The type we are using is the most basic. You’ll need the image below to decode the quote on your bookmark.
From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pigpen_cipher
4. Book Cipher: Book Ciphers are also called the Ottendorf Cipher, and they can be configured in different ways. Basically, a number will represent a word in a particular text. Sometimes a book cipher will use number-letter combination to denote the line on a page, and the letter. Ex. B5 = Second line, and fifth letter on that line. Even more complex book ciphers might include page numbers. Ex. 158-B-5 = page 158, second line, fifth letter. But the simplest is to just give a number for a letter. The book 4 bookmark uses this approach. For example the first number is 18. To get the letter, you count 18 letters into the quotation from the Declaration of Independence. The dash marks represent a space between words. And when you see a letter, it simply means to use that letter.
5. Rail Fence Cipher: The rail fence cipher is spread across three or more vertical lines. It’s actually very easy to read when you detect the pattern. It typically follows a down–>up pattern. Start at row-one at the top-left, then go down one rail/row. In the case of our bookmark, this starts with E and proceeds to V, then to E, then to R. (I’ll let you figure out the rest. When it hits the bottom rail, the words begin to move up again. And a rail without a letter equals a space between words. In our case, when we hit the bottom rail, we are at O. As we proceed upward to the next rails we get a D, then a Y. Then, the next rail has a space/gap. That’s your space between words. After that space, you go up to the next rail to the letter N, then up another rail to E. For more on rail fence ciphers: https://crypto.interactive-maths.com/rail-fence-cipher.html
Book Six Cipher
While I’m writing Book Six, we’ll be doing a scavenger hunt and giveaway. This scavenger hunt will contain several episodes, whereby you complete one episode to get the code to access the next. During this adventure, you’ll get to experience the landscapes and terrain of Mt. Rainier National Park.
To access the scavenger hunt, you must decode the book 6 bookmark. In case you’ve lost yours or haven’t received it in the mail yet (or just don’t have one), I’ve provided the code from the back of the bookmark on this page.
Instructions:
- Download the Decoder wheel: DECODER WHEEL
- Print it off, then pin it together.
- Follow the directions on the decoder wheel download to decode the message.
- When you’ve decoded the message, click the button below.
- Enter the deciphered code, and you’ll be granted access to the scavenger hunt.
NOTE: Be sure to enter the letters in ALL CAPS