Smokey Bear Collector

I'm also a solo cacher and rarely see things I like in caches. That said, I believe in the theory of giving what you want. So I started buying 'geoswag' such as found on the various geocache websites....premade caches, geostickers, geopins, TBskins, muggle cards, etc. While 'stupid' items, I always get a kick on the rare occassions I find them. I also started using 'loaded' gift cards as travel bugs with a mission to be loaded when they run down, before moving to another cache (paying it forward). On occassions when I find other gift cards, it makes a long day funner to stop off somewhere for a 'free' drink or snack...or lunch

Harmony Baby has very cool Sig Items...I have a few, and they're all the same....funny, I was just thinking they look like they're made from styrofoam cups. I believe a SigItem should have the cachers name or ID on it, other wise it's just swag. For instance I often leave something with Smokey Bear on it. But they don't have my name on them, therefore they're not true 'calling cards'. Go ahead and take SigItems if you like...if not, leave it there.

Are night caches only for the woods/forest? Can they be done in cities? If so, how? Many city caches can be done at night, but that doesn't make them 'night' caches. What would differentiate them?

This year I spent Spring Break in northern California caching in and around Chico/Red Bluff/Redding. Had a great time. I saw a lot of historic places, handsome sprawling views, and discovered poison oak. I thought poison oak was a shrub...turns out it grows like a bush and gets really big and tall. Lesson learned: be careful what plants you touch and hike through ( and sit in ). This summer I'll be in SLC, Utah to cache with my sister and we may go to Yellowstone to camp and find the caches. This summer is going to be a blast!

I've found a couple creative ones which I liked a lot. Now and then it's fun and keeps the game fresh. If they're not creative, then it gets old. Overall, I encourage it.

For women....sometimes I leave the small sample vials of perfume as FTF Prizes and regular swag. Next time you buy perfume/cologne ask for samples and they'll give you a lot...if you don't buy- good luck.

I agree. Sometimes I joke that it would be fun to find porn and sex toys....but if I actually did I'd be surprised and wouldn't want them. But c'mon....they find an unused condom in wrapper and they shut the cache and never return? What a nutjob. If you're with kids and don't want them to see it, take it so they don't see it....or, if they ask about it - tell them what it is and that you don't agree that it should be there, or that you don't want them touching it. But get over it and enjoy your day. Geesh...

I too recently had a cache archived that was on public land. The problem was due to another cache that was on nearby private property (a fence). The land owner complained to geocaching.com and all caches in the area were archived. I contested a couple and one was reactivated, though the one on the fence was not. Ok, no problem...I get it. My bad. I contested a third cache, and was told even though it was on public land, I needed "land manager"permission. I was upset at first but I now realize it was just that G.com has to protect the integrity of the game and other caches. If I got city/county permission the cache would be reinstated, and then if anyone complained the complaint would be ignored because I had permission. ...in the end it was too much to deal with, so I never pursued it. But I understand the reason. And it makes sense.

I have a few different things to leave: auto air fresheners, CITO kits, pre made caches, coins and bugs. I'm currently creating "Pay it Forward" TBs made from Starbucks and IN n Out gift cards. I've loaded them with $5 each and ask cachers to use them, load them and move them on...paying it forward for the next cacher to have a refreshing break during their adventures. I got this idea from a cacher in Chico, CA and it really made my day and helped me get through a loooong day of caching. I also like to find cool signature items, like those made by Snoogans and other cachers.

I see most travel bugs are junky toys that are sent out just for fun, with out much purpose. Other TBs are personal and of not much interest to anyone other than the owner. Is there a general consensus on what is a cool TB? The Jeeps seem popular, but there is a contest about them. What else is really cool and poplular?

Lately, I've been leaving stuff for adults: car air fresheners, geo pins and geoswag, premade cache containers, aspirin packets, sani wipes, bug repellent. Things that are useful and fun for adults. I just ran out of my origami dollars. My sister had folded fresh one dollar bills into t-shirts and placed each one in a plastic baggy. Those were fun and a lot of people got a kick out of the originality. Cash of any amount is always fun to find

Yes!!! More adult items. I suggest porn and sex toys (new in package of course). oops....that's probably not what you meant.

In my larger caches I always place Travel Bugs and/or Geocoins. I don't put toys or things for kids, as most cachers in my area are adults. Plus, I don't like finding the cheap crap like rings, stickers, etc. ( Don't get me wrong, some people like that stuff. I have placed that stuff myself, but have grown away from it the longer I've cached). In larger caches I place and prefer to find things for an adult such as follows: Travel Bugs Geocoins CITO kits Aspirin packets Band Aids Wet Wipes Calomine Lotion (especially in places with poison ivy/oak) Starbucks Gift Cards (to be used and paid forward) Premade custom caches- ready to go First Aid kits Snake Bite kits ...things an adult would get use out of and enjoy finding

WooHoo!!!! I love contests 1). Hmmm....six months just expired for me, but maybe I qualify as I first registered back in August and only made a few postings (crossing fingers, hoping I qualify ). Otherwise I haven't been following forums and just revisited them tonight while on vacation. 2). WooHoo...I only have six posts! 3). I own two geocoins which I recieved at Christmas. They are the Smokey Bear geocoins and one is bronze and the other is copper. I released them only recently and am enjoying them travel....though it appears they don't move very quickly. I didn't realize people collected these. It's more fun to move them along and see them travel. 4abc) My name is Joel and my screen name is Smokey Bear Collector. I collect Smokey Bear memorabilia, am a member of Hot Foot Teddy Collector's Association and go to its conventions as often as I can. I've made a lot of friends and chat with them all the time. I'll be attending my first geocache event in May...GeoWoodstock in California with my sister, Fearless0, who is coming in from Utah. She is my partner in crime for caching. We have tons of fun and get into all kinds of trouble. I am from the San Francisco Bay Area and have cached all over the place since learning about this game this past year. I am a real estate agent and a substitute teacher. I'd like to know what geocoin sites are really good. I've looked at a few, but they only seem to have one or two coins available. 6) I thought you were right thanks for this fun contest..i've been reading the posts and the people seem interested. ~Smokey Bear Collector

I have both Smokey Bear geocoins displayed in my Smokey Bear collection alongside many other tokens, coins and whatnot. I've also bought a few for release to friends and caches. I hope you'll be abe to release future designs, as well.

$100 Bills $50 Bills $20 Bills Gold Bullion Priceless Gems Gift Certificates to Restaurants & Dept. Stores ......all my favorites

Become a premium member and you can do just about that and more with Pocket Queries. Oh, okay. Thanks for the heads up.

good idea. i like to use litter bags from the forest service. they usually have smokey bear or woodsy owl pictured on them.....and they give them out free when you ask.

Why not just list the caches in order of date and place a toggle button above them? Or have a "new" cache button to link to the new caches in a given area or zip code? Groundspeak can do that I would think.

I don't like roadside memorials either. It's just plain littering and an eyesore. Besides, we have cemetaries for this purpose.