TreeSqueezers

I'll second that. ...and I'll third it, because I am exactly at that point in my life. (And for the record I am at that magical 4-0) But it is a stupid game and so what. It's still fun, and when it comes right down to it, all games are pretty stupid. I also enjoy golf, and that's probably more pointless than most all of the other games put together. As for explaining it to others. I usually try to start with a serious explanation. Then, after explaining what is hidden in the caches (it seems that that's all they really care about) for the third time I end it with saying there's stuff hidden in there to keep the kids interested. It makes them want to go in the woods and find it. They get lots of fresh air. Once they've found it, they don't argue about going back to the car. Then I'm met with a blank stare and an ooooooh. The funny thing is how many tell me a month or two later that they met someone else who does it.

Lil Devil's trick is awesome but the website was down for a little while. This may be why it didn't work for you. It is working now so try again when you get the chance.

I saw a website on barefoot hiking once. That's where I learned about using duct tape to fight blisters (yes it really works).

I was out tapping trees and after drilling a hole in one I saw a cache, I signed the log but it was the end of a multi without the name included. I still haven't figured out where it starts.

My Dad spent the last several years of his career as the Superintendent of cemeteries for the town where I grew up. The town was very old, and a couple of the cemeteries had several headstones that were between 200-300 years old. He loved seeing visitors, and even kept some of the older records available for viewing. Where's this going? Not far, just wanted to say that cemeteries are creepy to some. But many of us enjoy visiting them for the history, genealogy, a visit to our loved ones, or just to find a peaceful place to rest our weary feet. I would definitely check w/the local management of the particular cometary, you'll probably find him/her more welcoming than you may think. You may even learn a thing or two.

I have 3 modes I wear some HiTek trail sneakers most of the time, day to day, and Geocaching. When I'm planning on hiking, or if it's raining, I have a supportive (and waterproofed) pair of Raichle Hiking Boots. Then there is "Cache with whatcha got" I've worn everything from Teva Sandals to Bostonian dress shoes. You grab 'em when you're close. Socks... I have some Wigwams and some generic outdoor socks. I liked the military wool socks, but I'm down to one pair.

That sounds like it could be a bargain, do you remember the brand?

So, what's the problem? Personal accountability. I know for a fact that every cache I hide will have proper maintenance conducted...by me. I couldn't make that same promise if my cache was a few thousand miles away. In my opinion, it is utterly unacceptable to own a poorly maintained cache, and I am unwilling to risk my geo-integrity on some one else's promise, even if that promise was made in good faith. If I am on vacation, and I find an off the beaten path spot screaming for a cache, I'll contact the owner of the nearest existing cache and give them the coords. If they want to hide one there, kewl. If not, it's no sweat of my back. Edit to add: This computer doesn't do spell check, as you can see. I agree. I don't have any caches yet. When I place one, I know it will be my box in the woods, my responsibility. I would even enforce the same standards on myself if I moved to another state. Archive and pull the caches. If someone else want to place one in the same location, great. If someone wants to adopt it great, but I would pull it and hand it to them to start fresh. Now it's their placement. Who knows, maybe they'll have a better or more interesting idea than me.

Now that is interesting. How does this work and have you seen this done? If so, please post the GC#. I'm sorry, I haven't seen one before. That was a random thought. You'll get used to me after a while. My basic idea is: If there is a vacation hotspot and someone wants to leave a little piece of them, leave something in a cache that is by design a deposit only cache. I enjoy looking at sig items in my local area to see who's been there and, from the forums, it looks like others do too. These could be a little museum of sorts. See who's been there, from where, watch it over the years... that kind of stuff. I know it could turn out pretty big. I thought that once it grows that much maybe it could turn into a place rather than a cache. A local tavern or restaurant could display the items on the wall, and add yours. It may help business by becoming a curiosity. I'm sure there is more to this idea than I've been able to stitch together. Anyway, like I said, you'll get used to me.

Although I love seeing sig items. I haven't taken any because I feel they are an "I was here" item and taking it removes that tag. I mentioned in another thread that when I do create a sig I would create a sig cache for collectors. That idea has evolved in my mind to a cache half filled with it for sig traders (take only my sig, leave only your sig). I think it would be interesting to come upon a cache I haven't been to that contained one of my sigs. I've been trying to create a sig item myself and some of the things in this thread have given me some ideas. I have some bell shaped magnets I can use to create "sticks to the inside of an ammo can" sig items but I'm not sure how to make them stick to plastic . The other thing with sig items is how to handle them with micros. I've found some stuffed in with them, but it makes them awkward. I was thinking of maybe a stamper or something. Along these lines, what do people like to find as FTF items? I would imagine it would be something of a little higher value than the standard trade item. I was thinking: Batteries Gift cards Geocaching.com items Oriental Trading has 12 plastic #1 medals that are inexpensive, maybe combine one with any FTF item. Any other ideas?

I've never vacation-cached (mostly because I rarely go anywhere for vacation). If I did, I think I would be more interested in finding the caches the locals have placed anyway. I'm not sure I would be interested in seeking a cache someone who lives 3 towns away from my home placed while on vacation. But, how would I know who placed it? Sure, I could check the placers profile but that would be a LOT of work if I wanted to check out every one. Why not ask a local to create a sig prison (sig item drop off only) so vacationers can leave an "I was here". or Maybe place a TB that can meander it's way home, or about the Vacation Destination to different caches so the cacher can go find it in a different cache next time he visits. A little creativity can make this sport a whole lot more fun for everyone! I just think that if you can't replace a wet log book within a day or two (unless you're away on vacation finding caches ), you can't maintain a cache properly.

I had just purchased a Handspring PDA right at the end of their production run. Within a month every plug in accessory was on clearance everywhere. I picked up the Magellan GPS module for it for next to nothing. I thought it would be pretty cool to navigate with it in the car. I googled gps and found geocaching. I never did hook it up in the car.

I like having the year, that would help me explain why I HAVE to go. See, I have 45 left, you wouldn't want me to waste them would you?

Did you find it?

I like finding them to, but I can't see collecting them because that would mean taking them from where their creator left them. That's kind of why I thought of setting up a cache with just the signature item, for those who collect. Those wooden "coins" are awesome, are they homemade?

"The machine and all the extra equipment I bought cost just a hair under 5k. If ya just want 1 sig item and your very own coin press, knock a couple K off. Still want one? " Youch, that takes dedication!

That is very cool, where do you get one of those?

I disagree, keep the cheeseburger hat! There's nothing like having your own style. I felt creepy the first time someone saw me. later that night I received an email from him. He turned out to be another geocacher!. Now I'm not really intimidated, but I do wonder what they are thinking.

I enjoy caching. My preference is traditional caches, mostly because I think they bring me to more enjoyable places. I really don't care about swapping swag (on the other hand, my 7 year old . . .) but I enjoy seeing sig items left behind, especially ones I've seen before. Do you use a sig item? If so: What is it? Does it have special meaning? Have you gotten comments on it? Do people end up taking them for collections? I was thinking of coming up with one myself but am at a loss for what it should be. I was thinking maybe a little sig card (laminated, of course) attached to a pencil sharpener (I've been to lots of caches that have whittled pencils). I figure a little message on the back asking that it be left there for people who use the cache with maybe a pointer to a companion themed cache so if people really want one for themselves they can go find one and log another cache in the process. My other thought was a stamp, so I can leave a sig in a micro. (Kind of letterboxie, but sometimes it's difficult to find a good place to write.

Mine came from an extended family hobby. We make Maple Syrup. When I first started helping out, I was a little overzealous and was always trying to figure out how to get more and faster. One of they guys mentioned that if I could squeeze the trees I would. Since the first cache we found was near one of the places we collect sap, we decided to use that name.

I monitor my teen on MySpace as well. Every once in awhile I have to email him with a "Change your picture... before your Mom see's that!" Since we do not live with him, it helps us keep track of him even though we are 80 miles apart. He and I can email each other all the time through MySpace, since he practically lives on there. In addition, I have been able to find a bunch of my High School friends that I didn't even know were ON MySpace. Since I went to High School in Virginia and now live in Ohio, it was cool to find a bunch of people there. It isn't only for teens and pedophiles. There are a couple of adults there for decent reasons. Glad to find another one! :-D I'll have to look for you on MS we could start a single parent of myspacers group!!! LOL But I am not Single! We could start a MySpace Parent Watch Group! Sorta like a Neighborhood Watch, but online. :-P Crazy Kids... Hehehehe I joined myspace because my Sister's Daughter and Stepkids all had them. Within a month, I was contacted by my Daughter (I knew I had a daughter, but never met her. She's 23) Hopefully, soon We'll get to meet in person. So, you really do never know who you may meet on myspace. http://www.myspace.com/wheresthedeet

I'm only an EA but I'd be interested in a couple myself. What potential a freemason coin swapping game could have.