Show Me the Cache

When GeoPrincess wrote... "My partner and I log our finds under our joint caching name. We hope to qualify for the Top 25"... ...it prompted me to ask... "how would you classify the concept of combining cache finds with a partner under one name to reach the expressed goal of reaching the Top 25?" I thought it was a fair question, but apparently not. My point is that considering any approved caches as anything less than "real" is like considering geocachers that do not participate individually as less than "real". Neither is a good idea. Peace.

In defense of an admittedly questionable hybrid, the locationless cache, I have done several and agree that many are useless and lame. But, I have also done several “real” caches and find that many of them are also useless and lame. In fact, that seems to be the growing trend for newer caches in some areas. Not everyone lives in an area with an abundance of good caches from which to choose, real or imaginary. While driving long distances on caching trips, I enjoy having a little list of trivial things to watch for along secondary roads. It eats up the miles between other caches. Due to family health issues, there was a period in which I could not leave on extended geocaching trips. There again, locationless caches found locally helped me to partially avoid the withdrawal symptoms I was experiencing. I still do them. Anyone can juggle statistics and use different criteria and arrive at different outcomes. You can even write a list that puts you at the top if that is where you want to be. Go for it. While you are busy classifying, how would you classify the concept of combining cache finds with a partner under one name to reach the expressed goal of reaching the Top 25?

Thanks for the invitation to a Lexington meeting, but I probably can't make it. Relatives from California have me booked for that week, and I really don't think I could slip away. I have met relatively few geocachers, but I always enjoy them. Good luck. Hope it goes well. Darrell Show Me The Cache Louisville, KY dssayshi@aol.com

I solved my magnetic micro-cache problems in two ways: #1 Switched to clear silicone sealant #2 Glued the magnet to the bottom...not the lid. Flexing the top to open it tends to make the magnet pop off if it is on the lid. After I glue the magnet on, I run a bead of glue around the edge of the disc to protect it even more. So far, of the five caches that use the newer method, none have failed.

I don't look at the forums often enough, so I was surprised to see something that related to me when I checked just now. Before the Official Travel Bug procedure started, I distributed 20 mini-Barbies and 10 other small characters (such as Donald Duck in a sombrero) as hitchhikers in my own caches plus caches in Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Georgia. That was approximately one year and 500 caches ago. Each was packaged with it's own logsheet and a request to report in to DSsaysHi@aol.com periodically. Many people have. My address has been DSsaysHi@aol.com since way before I joined Geocaching.com so I do not know why there were difficulties in reaching me. I did receive a very pleasant e-mail from the Green Team this week. (Thanks to BruceS for his good detective work). Here is the e-mail answer I sent to the Green Team: Fantastic report. Thanks. I am envious of that duck! I started 20 mini-Barbies and 10 other figures before the official Travel Bug concept began (about one year ago). So, I am dependent on considerate people (like you) to report in occasionally. Currently I have one report from Canada, 1 from CA, two from AZ, one from FL, one from CO, and now yours. Most of the others are within 200 miles of here (Louisville, KY). Of the 30, I have heard from 21 of them now. Thanks Darrell DSsaysHi@aol.com SHOW ME THE CACHE

Different people approach this game differently, but I see no reason to attack these people. My frequent contact with them has been pleasant and mutually respectful. During my brief period at the top of the finders list, almost everyone was nice to me. I realize that was during a kinder, gentler period of geocaching, prior to several controversial issues, but we need to treat these people fairly. Or, we could just let this site disintegrate into the typical rude forums that the web is cluttered with. Congratulations to CCCooperAgency. Hopefully, next we will be congratulating BruceS and Stayfloopy when they reach a major milestone. Peace

If my quickie research is correct, Utah has 29 counties and 834 caches, or an average of 28.76 caches/county. I am in Kentucky where we have 120 counties and 129 caches, or an average of 1.075 caches/county. With a 28-fold differential, I don't think we will be seeing a similar cache logged here in the near future. As to being elitist, I don't see why. I don't think many of us have equal access to most caches. Just an observation.