The Caching Place

Hi! If you solved the puzzle you would understand how it relates to Geocoins. Go to www.thecachingplace.com and the answer to the puzzle is posted on the home page. Have fun! Cordially, Jim

Hi ! Yes, check www.thecachingplace.com for the answer, it's on the home page. Cordially, Jim

This contest was sent out via our newsletter yesterday. The contest is now over. The winners and puzzle answer is posted on our website. I thought I'd post it in the forum as well since so many of our readers had fun with it. Remember the actual contest has already ended. Good luck and have fun in solving the mystery! The following is a section of our newsletter that was e-mailed yesterday: September 13, 2010 — LATEST NEWS & EVENTS — We have a Puzzle for you! Let's see if you can figure this out! First one to figure out the puzzle wins a new Pocket Decoder, second place earns a Jules Verne Mysterious Island Geocoin, and third place wins a It's a Geocacher's World Geocoin. The date stamp of the email will determine the time of the winning entry. Jim Berk will be the sole arbiter of the winner. Good luck to all! Read the instructions very carefully, read them at least twice before you attempt to figure out the solution! There are 9 letters of the English Alphabet that must be discovered. Once you determine the 9 letters you must form them into two (2) words. This can be a person, place or thing. Hint: It has to do with Geocaching in 2010. 1. Take the last letter of the last name of the man given credit for creating the first true portable computer. This letter is part of the puzzle. 2. The motto of Captains Nemo's Nautilus has three words. Take the 5th letter of the first word. This is a letter in the puzzle. 3. Take the first letter of the last name of the first recorded person to use a magnetic compass. Subtract 7 and match that number to letters of the alphabet. (for example 1 would be the letter "A"). This is a letter in the puzzle. 4. Take the second letter of the first name of the man most credited with developing the Global Positioning system (GPS). This is a letter in the puzzle. 5. Add the four digits of the year that the first GPS satellite was launched. Take that total and subtract 21 match the number to letters of the alphabet (for example 26 would be the letter "Z"). This is a letter in the puzzle. 6. Take the letters of the abbreviation for the first fully functional digital computer and add thier numeric values together then subtract 11. The letter that corresponds to that number is part of the puzzle. 7. The navigational device that has a "rose" . Take the third letter of that name and that is part of the puzzle. 8. What month and year was The Caching Place founded? Take the 5th letter of the month it was founded. This is a letter in the puzzle. 9. Take the last letter in the name of the line that is 0 degrees latitude. This is a letter in the puzzle. Send your entries to jim@thecachingplace.com If you have any questions email me at jim@thecachingplace.com I will try to give you a timely response. Have fun! The newsletter segment ended here. If you have any questions regarding the mystery I would still be happy to assist you! Cordially, Jim

Hi Trevor! We just got back from vacation and the five winners prizes will be shipped by tomorrow (Saturday) at the latest. I apologize for the delay. Thank you for your patience! Cordially, Jim Owner

Congratulations to Joy Gellatly! Joy won the Message in a Bottle New Slogan Contest! Joy's winning entry is "Live, Love, Laugh, Cache" Joy selected one of the three prize packages listed below! 1. Antique Bronze Pocket Decoder Geocoin & Antique Silver Pocket Decoder Geocoin (total of 2 Geocoin) 2. Set of three of the Tribute to Jules Verne Geocoins, 20,000 Leagues under the Sea, The Mysterious Island, and Journey to the Center of the Earth (total of 3 Geocoins) 3. A set of four of our Geocaching Snowman Series of Geocoins, Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall, (4 Geocoins). We will have a new mystery contest announcement this weekend! It promises to be fun and challenging! Cordially, Jim The Caching Place

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Hi GeoCharmer81! The contest was a lot of fun with over a hundred entries. We will have another contest in August, a little harder next time. Cordially, Jim

FORGOT SOMETHING....! The correct answer was JULES VERNE! Cordially, Jim

Wow! You know your RUNES! The following five (5) people have won a Journey to the Center of the Earth Geocoin. 1. Mitch from Kirkland, WA. USA 2. Trevor from British Columbia, Canada 3. Craig from Perth, Australia 4. Laurie from San Jose, Australia 5. Sarah from Surrey, United Kingdom Thank you for participating! We had over a 100 entries in a matter of hours. If you'd like more Geocoin challenges please let me know on this forum. It was great fun! Cordially, Jim

Now shipping! The first five (5) people that figure out what the code on the bottom on the front of the coin says will win The Journey to the Center Of the Earth Geocoin. The Geocoin, shipping and handling anywhere in the world will be paid, totally free to you! Email your entries to jim@thecachingplace.com. Good luck! Journey to the Center of the Earth" Tribute Geocoin. Artist T. Steele Jones & The Caching Place have designed this Geocoin as a tribute to the great author Jules Verne. The "Journey to the Center of the Earth Tribute" Geocoin is shaped like a book 51mm x 36.5". It has a "front cover", "spine", and "back cover". The Geocaching theme is depicted in this terrific Geocoin! The front of the Geocoin shows the intrepid explorers making their way through dangerous paths on their way to the center of the Earth. Danger lurks everywhere including giant snakes guarding Geocaching Treasure! The back of the Geocoin has the explorers rafting a thrilling underground river, with monster lizards poised to strike at our brave explorers! Will they survive the waterfall?! On the front of the coin on the bottom there are mysterious etched symbols . Can you figure out what it says? No hints will be given, but you will smile when you figure it out! The shape, detail, colors, and action make this Geocaching themed Geocoin a wonderful collectors item or send it on its own journey! Be the first to place this Geocoin at the center of the Earth (good luck.....!) Disclaimer, The Caching Place does not endorse hiking through the Earth's molten core .....! UPDATE! CONGRATULATIONS! Wow! You know your RUNES! The following five (5) people have won a Journey to the Center of the Earth Geocoin. 1. Mitch from Kirkland, WA. USA 2. Trevor from British Columbia, Canada 3. Craig from Perth, Australia 4. Laurie from San Jose, California, USA 5. Sarah from Surrey, United Kingdom Thank you for participating! We had over a 100 entries in a matter of hours. If you'd like more Geocoin challenges please let me know by replying to this thread. Oh, by the way.... The Answer was "JULES VERNE" It was great fun! Cordially, Jim

Hi Wolfslady! Thank you for the feedback! We've had a lot of fun designing the tribute to Jules Verne Series of Geocoins! Cordially, Jim

Just a short comment about the Geowoodstock before I discuss Geocoins..... Barbara I attended the Geowoodstock in Carnation, WA USA yesterday. It was a wonderful experience! It was amazing to see the demographic that Geoaches, young, not so young healthy, not so healthy. All you need to be is young at heart and the spirit of adventure. The friendliness of Geocachers and the stories they tell is fantastic! True story... I was eating lunch in large picnic table area that was set-up at Geowoodstock. I noticed a enthusiastic lady with the Arkansas Geocacher's Association ( I wish I could remember her name, she was wonderful) a few table away wearing Geowelry (trackable jewelry we design & sell). I went over to say hi and we introduced ourselves and took group pictures. I asked if she had purchased the Geowelry from us and she said no. She smiled and said she attended a Arkansas Geocacher Association event and during the raffle noticed a little boy won a pair of earrings. She then won a Geocache shaped like a piece of cow excrement. The Geocache container caught the eye of the little boy who really, really wanted it. A deal was struck and both parties were happy..... I had to laugh! On to Geocoins.....! The "Journey to the Center of the Earth Tribute" Geocoin is shaped like a book 51mm x 36.5". It has a "front cover", "spine", and "back cover". The Geocaching theme is depicted in this terrific Geocoin! The front of the Geocoin shows the intrepid explorers making their way through dangerous paths on their way to the center of the Earth. Danger lurks everywhere including giant snakes guarding Geocaching Treasure! The back of the Geocoin has the explorers rafting a thrilling underground river, with monster lizards poised to strike at our brave explorers! Will they survive the waterfall?! On the front of the coin on the bottom there are mysterious etched symbols . Can you figure out what it says? No hints will be given, but you will smile when you figure it out! The shape, detail, colors, and action make this Geocaching themed Geocoin a wonderful collectors item or send it on its own journey! Be the first to place this Geocoin at the center of the Earth (good luck.....!) Disclaimer, The Caching Place does not endorse hiking through the Earth's molten core .....! The Geocoin is 51x36.5mm, 3.5mm thick, 2D on both sides, stamped bronze soft enamel without epoxy. The Geocoin has 12 colors on the front and 14 colors on the back. Engraved tracking code is on the back of the coin. It is packaged in a PVC pouch This coin is trackable. The "grey" areas will be black when the Geocoin is produced per the pantone chart. For those of you that follow this, it is a "busy Geocoin"..... link: http://www.thecachingplace.com/shop/pc/vie...p;idproduct=302 Have fun! Cordially, Jim

Hey Jim, I'n happy your pre-sales are strong and sales even stronger. Then it should not matter what the dissenting voices may have to say should they be enticed to say it. The bottom line is your coins sell well so it hardly matters if your announcement falls on deaf ears or not. Your feedback is a healthy stream of compliments and orders to your website. Sorry I piped up and offered what seems to be contrarian and perhaps offensive dissent. Hi Droo! No offense taken.... I appreciate your comments! Cordially, Jim

Hi Droo! I genuinely appreciate your comments... The Geocoinsl sell very well, but what's really important is the great comments I receive from customers around the world. It is my personal preference to design geocoins that are "busy" because they tell a story. I like our Geocoins to have Geocaching symbols and Geocaching themes woven into the design. It is my opinion that there are far too few Geocaching themed Geocoins being designed. The Mysterious Island Geocoin has over 100 pre-sale orders already. We sold hundreds of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Geocoins. My original question has been answered, people who don't have favorable comments just don't want to comment. I understand this. I sell to 28 countiries internationally and I receive a full spectrum of comments. I was just looking for some feedback and constructive criticism, I have strong opinions, however I do like to hear other opinions. The coins we producing now are 2' diameter and the cost to produce the level of detail in our designs is much more costly then the average Geocoin. No one is being fleeced. In fact our Geocoins are great values! Again, thank your for your feedback. It would be a dull world if we all agreed on everything! Have fun! Cordially, Jim Again, I appreciate your comments

Hi All! We forgot to mention that the new The Mysterious Island and the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Geocoins each have unique icons. We decided to spend the extra $150.00 per Geocoin for the Tribute to Jules Verne series. Enjoy! Cordially, Jim

Hi Anne.and.Eli! I appreciate your comments. BTW, what does IHE stand for? I'm not familiar with the abbreviation. Thanks! Cordially, Jim

Hi Gardengorilla! No, these must be new caches not existing ones. They should not be placed where the average Geocacher could get hurt. Thank you for your interest! Cordially, Jim

Hi Mustangjoni! The caching place had so many requests for a trackable Kokopelli that I took the original Moab design and converted it to a round trackable version. The trackable Hopi Kokopelli is a popular Geocoin that we continue to stock and sell. Cordially, Jim

yes, it is a difference of opinion. because a geocoin is by definition small, too much detail obscures the design and the use of so much soft enamel in little bits and pieces keeps the elements separate instead of blending. is the design based on an illustration because that would explain joni's comment. rsg Hi RSG! The front design is my idea that was translated by T. Steele Jones. The back design was conceived by T. Steele Jones. Both sides of the Geocoin are original (created by Tom & Me). The level of detail was the result of decisions we made. I appreciate the feedback! Cordially, Jim

yes, it is a difference of opinion. because a geocoin is by definition small, too much detail obscures the design and the use of so much soft enamel in little bits and pieces keeps the elements separate instead of blending. is the design based on an illustration because that would explain joni's comment. rsg

Hi Goosefraba1! WOW!!! I would also be afraid to swim in the Ohio River you just described!! Thank you for the clarification! Cordially, Jim

Hi MustangJoni! Thank you for your comments! I understand your concern in regards to pre-sales. I always post the actual pictures of the Geocoins on the same thread that I introduce the design. I think we've done a great job of translating designs into Geocoins. I'm glad your a fan of Jules Verne, I am too!!! Jules Verne was just plain genius! BTW. the third coin in the Tribute to Jules Verne series will be Five Weeks in a Balloon (I think?). Cordially, Jim

ok, never being one to keep quite about something and since you asked i'll put in my two cents and hopefully not my foot in my mouth. pic #1 - if one is not familiar with jules verne the orange vehicle is just an orange thing -- kinda like a fish, maybe a submarine. and the image is just SO busy, it is hard to tell what is what. personally i don't like coins that are all soft enamels. and this picture looks like lots of little spaces to fill with opaque colour. when you look at it you may see the subtle shadings of a volcano, when i look at it i just see clutter. too detailed. backside - crab side - this is a little better with a recognizable object in the foreground. but then the bottle has something in it and it is hard to see what that is. especially with the extra detail and little markings showing you can see through the bottle to the sand. it is just too busy. the first coin in the series i think has the same issues, too much going to be really clear about what is supposed to be happening. the diver caught by the purple octopus -- it took me a while to figure out what that was. just too much detail in both coins which results in a jumble of colour. i have noticed people will comment when they really like something but are hesitant to say when they don't and why they don't. rsg Hi RSG! First I appreciate your comments. I think it's a lot more fun and interesting when people make their opinions known regardless of being positive or negative. Constructive criticism is helpful to all of us. As to your comments... I enjoy creating scenes that gives us a glimpse into the real and fantasy worlds. If you look at some of our past work you'll see what I mean. The Geocoins are "busy" by necessity. We are trying create a picture of a world in a very confined space (the Geocoin). I feel the detail is necessary to convey our intent. I would agree that you have to look at the Geocoin rather then glance at it to understand the picture. I'm willing to live with that criticism otherwise we could not create the scenes we want to depict. I'm surprised about the confusion on the back of coin. Captain Nemo / diver fighting the giant squid jumps right off the Geocoin to me. I understand the comments about color, however I like colorful scenes and if the color was representing "real life" I personally think the Geocoin would be boring. RSG, I appreciate your comments. We both have a different perspective on the aforementioned Geocoins, however that what makes this fun & interesting! Have fun! Cordially, Jim

Hi DaFunkyFrogs! Thank you for your comments. BTW you can still purchase the first geocoin. An icon was just submitted by me to Groundspeak for 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The icon should be up next week. Cordially, Jim