Sgt Stitches

Well, I only started collecting geocoins a little while ago, but I have a few available for trade. You can link to my trading list (what I have, what I have to trade, what I have on the way) from my profile. or.... try this link: Sgt Stitches Geocoin Trading List Here is what I have available for trade (as of today.. check the link in my profile for latest): Alaska 2005 Calgary, Canada Colorado 2005 DFW Geowoodstock III GGA 2005 Idaho Mauison MIGO 2005 Nurse Dave and Beckerbuns Oregon 2004 Santa Cruz County 2005 - Pewter South Africa 2004 The Fab Five UTAG W. Tenn Here is what I already have: Alabama (AGA) Alaska 2005 AtlantaGal Avroair Calgary, Canada California 2004 Canada 2004 CKayaks Colorado 2005 Conejo Cachers DFW Facedances GBES (2005 Winter) Georgia 2004 Geowoodstock III Germany (Bronze) GGA 2005 Goblindust Greenman Habercacher Idaho Joy of Caching Mauison MIGO 2005 MIGO 2005 Spring North Carolina Nurse Dave and Beckerbuns Oregon 2004 Santa Cruz County - Bronze (1 of 3) Santa Cruz County 2005 - Pewter South Africa 2004 SquaredD22 Texas 2003 - GC.com Texas 2005 The Fab Five Trez003 USA 2005 UTAG Vacman W. Tenn Washington And here is what I will have (or hope to have) soon: Arizona British Columbia G.O.N.E JeeptoysRus Kansas Maine Middle Tenn Nevada North Dakota Portland, OR Rhode Island South Carolina United Kingdom Virginia Wyoming

I'd probably buy one... as others have said... create a nice coin and others will buy it....

Another interesting vehicle that branches out from police would be the California State Lifeguard vehicles. Typically Jeeps or 4x4 trucks with racks for surfboards and a lightbar. If you're interested I can try to snap a shot of one in Santa Cruz or my brother-in-law is a lifeguard in Dana Point. I'm sure he could get a nice shot.

So, is it too late to join in the fun? I'd like to get added to the list if its not too late.

Moratorium on milestones? Does that mean I have to stop at 499? I was really hoping to keep going.

There are lots of great ones around Tahoe... but one that fits your requirments: 95 feet under (Near Donner Lake)

I'd go in for four NJ coins.

I seem to be stalking kealia in the forums..... Put me down for 4 of the coins.

I'm in for 4.

Don't know if it is accessible in Winter... but "Troop98" has some great views of Echo Lake.

I love the Idea of a Yosemite scene on the California coin. As others have said, when friends come to California, I tell them NOT to miss Yosemite. A color rendition would be just WAY to cool. Other ideas could be a Whale Tail (in fact that could be the "tails" side of the coin. LoL (OK that doesn't deserve a LoL... maybe just a little "heh-heh").

Yeah... what other people said.. I'd take 5. Can I assume that by watching this thread, we'll soon find out when/if we can order a few?

Just a note to confirm my check for 5 coins ($20 US) is on the way...

I'd like to order 5..... but where and when do I need to send the check???

We'll be just a bit South of you at Badger if anyone's in the neighborhood. Jr. T's not quite ready for the double black diamonds of Tahoe just yet. Shoot, he stilll needs a boost just to reach the chairlift We'll be on channel 2 if anyone's listening (FRS). The Cruz Commandos will be at Badger Pass this weekend, too! We have one night at Yosemite Lodge, then 3 nights at Curry Village (no... NOT in a tent cabin) We'll probably ski one day and spend the other days playing in the snow and doing a few short hikes.

This photo is actually from my favorite DNF. It turns out the cache was encased in the block of ice at the bottom of the Ice Stalagtite. Full log at: Sgt Stitches DNF Log for "95 Feet Under"

So I recognize all the sig items except the pig.... that is a pig right? I've got got to believe there is some story behind the pig or at least some relation to the cacher name.... please tell me there is a funny story about the pig! And whose sig item is that?

I'm staying tuned.... any news?

I live in Santa Cruz, but have spent a lot of time on business trips in El Segundo the last year... I've hit all the caches around the airport and here are a few that are my favorites: CLOSE TO AIRPORT Mig Alley - an easy multi with interesting surroundings if you like old planes Red light return - micro requiring short walk along harbor entrance and beach LAX Plane Spotting - Micro from a small park overlooking LAX runways where you can watch the big planes taking off and landing. Heart of Venice - micro in a unique residential area. PALOS VERDES A Short drive south (20-30 minutes?) of LAX is the Palos Verdes area. Very high concentration of caches, many with nice views: Some of my favorites: Amazing Floating Rocks Cache Malaga View Malaga Vista All three of those can be reached from a single parking spot. Nice if you want to spend some time near the beach. SAN PEDRO The South end of Palos Verdes (San Pedro is about 25 minutes away by highway if traffic is not too bad) also has some nice ones: There are five in one park (Peck Park) by "Snowland". He had some pretty nice camo jobs and the hike for all 5 is about a mile. Search for closest caches to "Peck Park Trail" Also in San Pedro: Cool Shade - Escargot Tree - Nice Ocean views from high bluffs and views of Channel Islands on a clear day Sunken Treasure - Very weird area, you've got to see to believe.

Best Entrance for "Don't take the Stamp!" is to park in UCSC north east .... (This one also gets you close to "Pinogop" and "Return of Spot". As you take the perimeter road (Glen Coolidge Drive) around UCSC, when you look east (downhill) you are looking into Pogonip. Parking on holidays if free (I think). You can walk from here to "Spring Stamp" letterbox , but if you are following the directions, you are approaching from the wrong direction. Best entrance for "Spring Stamp" letterbox is Spring Street. Nearest cache to trail head is is "Twisted Oak". The cache is north of Spring Street. There is also a new letterbox hybrid (Winter Stamp) in Henry Cowell (South East corner) that is accessible from near Sims Road and Graham Hill road (you can take the La Madrona Exit from Hwy 17). Pipeline Road (paved fire trail) allows mountain bikes... but there are some serious hills. If you do this one, be sure to do "Houdini's Hideaway"... one of my favorites. Go about another .5 mile past Winter Stamp to find another new cache "Uncle Greasy".

Thanks for the inputs Briansnat and RK.... One of the reasons I decided to try to make this a "Letterbox" and provide clues instead of coordinates is that GPS reception at this location is almost impossible! The canyon is narrow and deep (its a turn of the century limestone quarry). I was there three times and the best I was able to do was to get 2 satellites to lock up.... never enough for good coordinates. Since I couldn't get coordinates, I figured I try the "clue" route. Of course I could always estimate the coordinates from a map or project coordinates..... So from that standpoint, I think I'll stay with the trailhead/clues approach.... (so does that make it a puzzle/offset/letterbox hybrid? ) I think I'll go with the "log it anyway you like" route and just give brownie points and gold stars to those who are willing to stamp it or draw a little doodle

So I see separate forums for CITO and Benchmark... but nothing for Letterbox Hybrids.... Can we get a separate forum for Letterboxing questions? Having never found a letterbox hybrid... heck, I've never even seen one in my local area .... I don't really know much about setting one up. Here is what the GC website Glossary says about Letterboxing: letterbox(ing) Letterboxing is similar to Geocaching, but you use a series of clues to find a container. Once you find the container (or letterbox), you take a carved stamp from the box and stamp your personal logbook. You then take your carved stamp and stamp the letterbox's log book. See Letterboxing North America for more info. Since ignorance had never seemed to stop me before I decided to try to set one up in my area (Don't Take the Stamp!, but I've got a few questions: I "get" that instead of providing coordinates, you want to provide clues... so to make this a "hybrid", I provide the coordinates for the trailhead, then provide clues to get the rest of the way there. My biggest question is: Can people "log" the cache without having their own rubber stamp? To make this a "hybrid", do I allow cachers to log the find, even if they don't have a stamp? I mean... can they just sign the log like a normal geocache? Can I allow the substitution of "stickers"?.... I was thinking of allowing anything other than a signture (eg: rubber stamp, sticker, or draw a doodle) I don't want to "police" the logs... but I also want to provide guidance on the cache page on what constitutes a "real" log.... Just seeking opions..... Of course, (To paraphrase The Mythbusters:) "I reserve the right to reject your opinions and substitute my own"

If you're interested in a FTF... there are now two more in Pogonip... just got the approvals today Return of Spot Don't Take the Stamp! Too bad there is so much rain... these will be much nicer when it is dry and you can see the view.... and I KNOW some of you won't be able to wait that long

As far as the "Keep away game".... You could add some kind of twist like: the ring has to placed in a new cache created by the holder, or, be placed in a cache where the holder is the FTF.

Here are a couple of my own personal favorites.... don't know if they'll make you laugh, but I chuckle everytime I read them.... Favorite one: Log from "Covered Bridge" The whole platoon was out today for this nice cache. We parked and headed straight for the bridge, while I turned on the GPS. Got lock easily and followed the arrow. There I stood with head down, looking at the GPS when Sgt Tiki says: Is this it dad? I reply: No dear, let me see what the GPS says. Sgt Tiki: OK. About another minute passes. Sgt Tiki: Are you sure dad? Cause I think this might be it. Me: Hang on just a second. The GPS is moving around a bit. It's just about settled down and then we'll see where its supposed to be. Sgt Tiki: OK another minute passes. Me: OK. the GPS says it should be about 20 feet over that way. Right about where you are standing. Sgt Tiki: You mean right here? Me: Yeah... about there. Sgt Tiki: So is this it? This thing right here? Me: uh............. right. Nice hide and a reminder once again that the search engine is the person, not the technology. Left three mini screwdrivers, took glass bumblebee and bat eraser. And my other favorite: Log from Camp Ever's The follow up to Camp ever's .. Text of Camp Ever's logs: October 28, 2003 by Sgt Stitches (393 found) Night has fallen and I have about 10 minutes before I need to be somewhere else. Camp Evers Fish Park ought to be just about right for a quickie night time cache. First solo night cache experience. Being the prepared geocacher that I am, I always keep an LED keychain flashlight attached to my GPS... just in case I need to look into any cracks or crevices during a search. It is also ideal for subtle night time searching since it doesn't give off too much light. Of course, tonight was the first time to try out the "subtle search" theory. I got out of the car, and my GPS turns off. I turn it on again, it turns off again. Batteries are dead. But being the prepared geocacher that I am, I whip out the spare pair and before you know it, I'm searching again. Well, sort of. The light from the LED keychain is fine if you're looking for a keyhole in a car door, but just not quite bright enough for stumbling around in the dark and searching. So..... being the prepared geocacher that I am, I whip out the AA Mag light I keep in my butt bag. Ahhh, that's more like it. Now the light at least lights up the ground in front of me. I finally start the search in earnest. I'm within 15 feet of the cache and the light from the mini mag light is adequate to see what I am doing, but does not quite put out enough light to really see way back into some of the likely hiding areas. What to do, what to do... Being the prepared geocacher that I am, I head back to car. I open the trunk and pull out the million candle power, 5 pound, rechargeable searchlight my mom gave me for my birthday.... I can remember her saying it might be helpful while geocaching. I also remember thinking, great light, but not subtle enough for geocaching... Well mom, you were right. I head to where my GPS was zeroing out and turn on the light. I should have remembered my sunglasses. I was practically blinded by the light reflecting from the ground. I'm reminded of certain scenes from the x-files. I'm sure the neighbors thought there was a UFO landing in the park with all the light that poured from the searchlight. Luckily, I only had the light on for 30 seconds when I spotted the cache. I'm serious.... 30 seconds and the cache practically jumped out at me! Mission accomplished. I probably blinded any insects near the cache, so if you see some poor insect wandering around in a daze as you are searching for the cache, you are probably near. Took bone carabiner, left alligator squirt gun November 1, 2003 by Touchstone (343 found) This was a pretty easy one in the daylight The interesting feature about this cache was the predominance of blind insects at the cache site. They seemed to bump in to one another and fall off the precipitous ledges nearby. It's as if they've been blinded by a strong light given to a geocacher by his Mom or something. I don't know what's going on here. Perhaps it's another Mystery Spot for insects or something. I felt sorry for the little critters. T: Squirt gun. L: Slinky