Jump to content

cool_and_the_gang

Members
  • Posts

    108
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by cool_and_the_gang

  1. I have become Palm-Dependant and have virtually every bit of my life's data in my Handspring (RIP). I came to enjoy being able to use it with all the geo-cache data. It was really handy when I borrowed a GPS device that you could use with it. I became enlightend on the dangers of this when I was forced to bush-whack to a cache and found myself with hundreds of phone numbers, ideas, note etc. in an environment hostile to electronics that were not designed for such punishment.

     

    I've since returned the unit and I'm back to relying on the trusty Magellan unit. I still use the handspring to reduce the paper consumption but I leave it in the van when I'm after the cache.

     

    When I am forced to upgrade palm devices, I suppose I'll dedicate my Handspring to geocaching. And THAT is my point: If I was going to purchase one for use with the sport I'd invest the bare minimum in a base model Clie or something similar and not get terribly attached to it incase something happens in the field and I'd reserve a better model of handheld computer for the rest of my life's stuff.

     

    "Now may every living thing, young or old, weak or strong, living near or far, known or unknown, living or departed or yet unborn, may every living thing know happiness!"

  2. My experience thus far has been only positive, RK. When I posted a question or two I got great advice that made my experiences much more rewarding!

     

    The positive responses prooved what smart, interesting and helpful people Geocachers can be.

     

    We, too, hope to be able to offer our wisdom, once we get some, to those who need it.

     

    "Now may every living thing, young or old, weak or strong, living near or far, known or unknown, living or departed or yet unborn, may every living thing know happiness!"

  3. It would be fine with me if there were only a log book to log the cache. I enjoy reading them in the field and connecting with the people who experienced the search before me.

     

    The small small tokens of everyone's life path in caches help strengthen the connection and trading items of quality or keeping the tokens moving along in a chain of caches is cool but not the main reason for the search for me. There are easier ways to pay for a set of nail clippers than with a long hike, mosquito bites, heat stroke and scratched shins.

     

    I don't have a favorite item but especially enjoy quirky items that give a sense of the personality of he or she who left it. Someone around here planted $1,000,000 bills (phoney, of course) in many caches (I don't know why that makes me laugh). It's fun to see them knowing you're following this person around and that someone will be following you.

     

    The kids on the other hand (A pair of 5 year old twins who never tire of caching with me) view finding the cache as though they were Lord Carnarvon and Howard Carter discovering Tutenkamen's Tomb! They pore over the contents of the cache and decision about what to trade seems to be a very important one for them. I'm always gratified that they have a good sense of trading fair and it's delightful to see them enjoy passing along a little piece of thier history and ejoying a small piece of someone else's.

     

    "Now may every living thing, young or old, weak or strong, living near or far, known or unknown, living or departed or yet unborn, may every living thing know happiness!"

  4. There are lots of posings with similar frustrations and technical answers to finding caches. These are very helpful and abundant so look them up.

     

    As an alternative I offer my own approach which is to apply a little Zen philosophy:

     

    Certainly, do your homework before hand and have acurate way points etc. But, then, approach the search with a "beginner's mind" and without expectation of finding the cache.

     

    You will be out of doors and and be led to some scenic or unusual places. You may very likely be surrounded by the glories of nature. Drink in the experience of that moment! Even if you don't find the cache you have been rewarded!

     

    As you close in on the cache be patient with the GPS unit and with yourself. The GPS is executing it's calculations as flawlessly as it can. Know that there are many factors outside of it's control and yours. Allow it the time it needs to contemplate the sky and the unseen satellites guiding you.

     

    As you become one with your unit and with your surroundings (and with some practice and maybe, a compass) you'll come to know which readings are acurate and which are not. Observe your surroundings without judgement and you will soon notice likely spots for the cache to be hidden or areas that, though camoflaged with natural materials, have the subtle look of human tampering.

     

    Undertake the search when you have time to focus on that activity alone. Embarking on a search without ample time will fill your mind with worries over where you need to be next, what's in the cache?, is the sun going to set? what will people think if I don't find this? Let go of extraneous thoughts and focus your mind and energy on the task at hand.

     

    When you find the cache, do so with mindful gratitude. Many things and people have been involved with your success: The designer of the miraculous GPS technology, those who fabricated the container, the placer of the cache, the tree who's leaves and bark conceal it amd those who have left meager tokens of thier own life's path within it. Finding the cache connects you with all of them!

     

    Have patience, Grasshopper. And remember that there is much more to the Geo-Caching experience than finding the Ammo-box!

     

    "Now may every living thing, young or old, weak or strong, living near or far, known or unknown, living or departed or yet unborn, may every living thing be know happiness!"

  5. I am starting to distribute "Wooden Nickel" type coins. I put a message on them to keep them moving and to e-mail thier new positions out of curiosity. But they also contain some messages of good will so if the finder thinks it's inspiring and wants to keep them, that's okay, too. I haven't found any coins yet. Rubberstamping or affixing an adhesive sticker with an avatar is most popular around here, it seems.

     

    Anyway: If the coin is unique and doesn't have specific instructions to indicate it is a sort of travel bug I would trade something of comparible quality to it.

     

    "Now may every living thing, young or old, weak or strong, living near or far, known or unknown, living or departed or yet unborn, may every living thing be know happiness!"

  6. I hope you stay with it! Don't give up. It can be frustrating at first (see our earlier post about using the GPS in the woods) but if we could just walk up and find the things there wouldn't be any point to it.

     

    For me the fun is in learning to harnesss the GPS technology and the self improvement involoved with gaining mastery of reading maps, observing terrain and deducing the likely places for caches.

     

    Always double check the coordinates and how they've been entered into your device and if possible take a hardcopy of the cache page with you so you have additional clues (if they are provided) on hand if you need them.

     

    There is no shame in using the photos of the site often provided in a pinch and the encrypted clues are easy enough to decode on the spot. Doing so when I'm stumped gets me an additional clue or two and also gives me a minute to clear my head thus preventing impulsive decisions on where to look or where to turn and gives my GPS a minute to collect it's thoughts and give a better position.

     

    Even if I didn't find a cache on a particular outing I am thankful for the opportunity to have been able to experience that moment outdoors and, usually, with someone I love!

     

    May you know happiness and successul caching!

     

    "Great is the matter of birth and death. Life slips quickly by. Time waits for no one. Wake up! Wake up! Don't waste a moment!

  7. Many, many thanks for the large number of people who viewd our previous post and provided the great advice and information!

     

    I knew that I was going to like the sport when I found my first cache. I didn't know that I would be making contact with so many smart and like minded new friends from all over the country!

     

    Thanks again for the info. and the warm welcome!

    May everyone know happiness and successful caching!

  8. We've been caching for a bit of time now and really enjoy it. I'd say we're still pretty new at it though. This weekend we a bit frustrating. Thankfully I resisted the urge to whip my GPS device into the lake we hiking around. Because of the tree cover the coordinates were very erratic and the thing sent us zig-zagging through the brush. It was a very inefficient way to not find a cache.

     

    The questions:

    1) Are some GPS devices better suited for use in tree cover? I am currently using a GArmin that is about 5 years old.

     

    2) How does one compensate for the crazy reading one can get in the woods?

     

    I'll have to return the unit I am currently borrowing (good reason to not have sent it to Davey Jones Locker) and will obtain my own unit soon. I'd like to get one that works best in the woods and will be interested to get suggestions.

×
×
  • Create New...