Mike Chmi

quote:Originally posted by Rygel:Any decent yet cheap hotels in the area? I may take a weekend trip up there just to try this one!! Lack of planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine. Hi Rygel, Depends on what you mean by cheap, there are plenty of nice hotels available right now for $39 or $40 a night (ie ramada inn, days inn, any chain, etc.). Depending on when you come it may be a bit more expensive (summer weekends are more) however, there are several non franchise hotels that usually stay around $40. The only one I can personally vouch for is the Tally Ho-tel. Friends of mine often stay there when they are in town and it's nice enough. Plus since your dealing with the owner you can bargain a bit and get a deal. So depending on when your coming I'd either go with a chain hotel or something like the tally ho. Here's a link for you to hotels in the area http://www.visiteriepa.com/hotels_and_motels.shtml And might I suggest coming up during the presque isle geocaching get together on May 24 that the NWPA geocaching group is putting on. Hopefully by then I'll have the Two Towers out as well, though it will probably be an hour or so drive from Erie, unless I find somewhere closer to place it. "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

quote:Originally posted by Salvelinus:The real reason for this post is to ask Mikechim when the Two Towers cache will be available. I need an excuse to get up there steelhead fishing and to sign that quilt! Mike? Salvelinus (formerly smoochnme) Salvelinus Sorry I took so long to respond (though I am honored people are anticipating the Two Towers), though as you've probably guessed by now I've been away from the scene for awhile (grad apps and interviews tend to suck loads of free time). I plan on getting the Two Towers out once it warms up a bit. Unfortunately I haven't found a place I really like for it yet, last year I had the luxury of a snowless December to plan it, this year who knows when it will be clear enough to find good hiding places. Any suggestions would be welcome for a good hiding area as well (I've already got the location for The Return of the King chosen). I wanted something similiar to Presque Isle, miles of seperate trails, relatively easy terrain so all fitness levels can hike it, and nice scenery. I was thinking maybe pymatuming (sp), or Goddard state parks. Though don't worry the cache WILL BE PLACED. As far as the movie goes I absolutely hated it the first time I saw it and left the theater disgusted at the blasphemy I had witnessed (before I go off on a Tolkien Purist rant I'll just say Faramir, Ents, Elves at Helm's Deep (that I might have let slide), and Eomer (once again may have let slide), anyway I was expecting some changes (the fellowship had taught me to expect that) but the last half of the movie was just horrible. However, I will admit the second time I saw the movie I enjoyed it, as a movie it's a great piece of filmaking, as a representation of the books it's severly lacking. Anyway back to caching, I'm planning on making the Two Towers a little tougher question wise. But never fear it will be placed, my current guess is end of march beginning of April (once again depends on when the ground will be clear enough). Mike "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

I've been away from the scene for awhile but I'd like to make it down. "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

Looks like we may finally be getting something, wish I was closer so I could attend. "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

quote:Originally posted by Jamie Z:Only this: http://www.geocaching.com/images/cache_types/4.gif Jamie AMEN!!! "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

I thought his info seemed pretty good overall, though some of his choices were a bit bulky or heavy. I bought my venture for backpacking and discovered caching later. I really wouldn't want to ever lug around anything heavier or bulkier then an etrex or a mag 315 in the backcountry. Then again whenever I'm cashing I wish I had a garmin V or a mag meridian plat. I really don't think built in maps are all that necessary either, your much better off taking along a compass, waterproof topo map, and knowing how to use them in conjunction with your gps. "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

Yeah I noticed that as well and wondered what was going on. Noticed it on a more recent one and figured I'd just screwed something up. Glad to know we can fix it by putting in the whole URL, though I don't know if I'll ever go back and change all my other ones or not. "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

Great job, glad that one of mine was among the 100. I hit some of smoochnme's cache's while I was down that way and had a blast. Hopefully we'll all get a chance to meet up at a caching picnic or something. "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

Great job, glad that one of mine was among the 100. I hit some of smoochnme's cache's while I was down that way and had a blast. Hopefully we'll all get a chance to meet up at a caching picnic or something. "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

Hi Tprints, Noticed this thread and had to post. Depending on the type of wheelchair your dad has the lighthouse site zoisrus (she's one of the big names in caching out in NE Ohio, and frequently heads over our way, by the way Zoisrus, I hope to get my what a long strange trip it's been cache out soon) recomended may be doable. You take 2 trails to get to the cache, the first is the sidewalk trail, which does have a narrow sidewalk running it and is very well packed, the second is a very well maintained hard packed dirt trail. I've scene some wheelchairs that are more suitable to rolling around on grass that could definately handle this (Sorry for the rant but hey it's 4:00 am). "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

Hi Tprints, Noticed this thread and had to post. Depending on the type of wheelchair your dad has the lighthouse site zoisrus (she's one of the big names in caching out in NE Ohio, and frequently heads over our way, by the way Zoisrus, I hope to get my what a long strange trip it's been cache out soon) recomended may be doable. You take 2 trails to get to the cache, the first is the sidewalk trail, which does have a narrow sidewalk running it and is very well packed, the second is a very well maintained hard packed dirt trail. I've scene some wheelchairs that are more suitable to rolling around on grass that could definately handle this (Sorry for the rant but hey it's 4:00 am). "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

When I was done there caching, didn't bother me though. If you want some variety head up my way to Erie for some of the (shameless plug) Gamehendge Ranger caches. Especially if you wait til I get the "what a long strange trip it's been" cache out. "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

Nice job, hopefully I'll see you 2 up my way for some of those next 100 caches, I'm sure I'll be heading down your way for some because like you I've run out of ones to find near bye. "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

thanks, so all your doing is making it big enough for the media player to show up, hmmm simple enough, sometimes I know so little about computers it amazes me. "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

I have dialup and I can attest that I dislike pages with wav files because they take so freakin long to load. I had wanted to include a clip of Tolkien reciting the "one ring to rule them all" verse's for DX's and My Tolkien quilt project, but eventually I gave up because no matter how much I cut the clip or dropped the audio quality it still took way to long to load and it also didn't load smoothly. Fortunately most midi files don't take to long. Man I wish I had my high speed access back. "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

Actually the wording of the poll itself as well as the wording of the response choices can have a very very large effect. So much so that the design of a survey, test, poll used for scientific research goes through a gruelling process (or at least it should) that often takes as long if not longer then the survey, poll, test does. The way wording can swing a poll is really quite impressive. I'm not talking a few percent I'm talking very large percentages. Just thought I'd let everyone know, and while were on the topic can anyone tell email me how to add a stop button so my page (which I say again definately gains from the midi) can be "safely" enjoyed by all. Thanks "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

I do have to agree that midi without a good reason (yes I realize that is totally subjective) is a bad thing. However I think there are times that midi really adds to the ambiance of a cache. Of my 5 caches only 1 has music, but it is a quest style cache based on a story. I wanted to lure people into the adventure with the music and I really do beleive that the music helps set the cache up and really does help set the tone of the cache hunt. Similiarly I've done caches where I fell the music really helped make the cache better (usually by setting the tone, ie epic, spooky, themed (didn't do the mission impossible one but it definately comes to mind). I do have to agree that midi is starting to be overused. Another reason I added midi to mine (though not the most important) was to help set it apart. I will admit though that, If I new html better I would include an off button, but I honestly have no idea how. "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

I recently had a chance to demo the map76s as well as the Meridian Sportrack pro, and of course had my venture along as well. Hated the sportrack (the Meridian's are great though) but loved the map76s. It was unbelievably sweet, only down side was the size, little big for backpacking. But a great caching unit, with very very solid sattelite lock and some cool features. "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

quote:Originally posted by zormsk:Ok, I've read all the posts herein. Let me say up front that my son is a lawyer, and so unlike most people, I have much respect for the profession. That said, I have a hard time understanding how placing a cache can create a personal liability. I can think of another lawyer I have great respect for, the forums very own The Leprachauns! Hopefully I'll have that new multi out for you soon. That being said, I agree I don't really see how placing a cache can cause personal liablity, or why the parks originaly and forest still did require the idemnifacatin clause (which definately can cause problems). My guess is that they didn't udnerstand caching, when Mr. Meade replied to me he indicated that the clause is only used for potentially dangerous situations ones that add some element of danger not usually there, ie rifle clubs, fencing, bungee jumping, attack dog training, etc. "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

quote:Originally posted by zormsk:Ok, I've read all the posts herein. Let me say up front that my son is a lawyer, and so unlike most people, I have much respect for the profession. That said, I have a hard time understanding how placing a cache can create a personal liability. I can think of another lawyer I have great respect for, the forums very own The Leprachauns! Hopefully I'll have that new multi out for you soon. That being said, I agree I don't really see how placing a cache can cause personal liablity, or why the parks originaly and forest still did require the idemnifacatin clause (which definately can cause problems). My guess is that they didn't udnerstand caching, when Mr. Meade replied to me he indicated that the clause is only used for potentially dangerous situations ones that add some element of danger not usually there, ie rifle clubs, fencing, bungee jumping, attack dog training, etc. "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

Maybe if they get enough emails complaining (only reason I ever saw to use there service over mapquest was the driving directions to cords) and explaining that we will no longer have a use for their site, they may bring it back. Or maybe I'm just wishfully thinking, in all actuallity about 30% of the time it took you to the wrong place anyway. I've ended up at private houses, drug rehab centers, and closed military access roads. "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

There is a difference between a cache being difficult because of a hard climb, long hike, or intellectual challenge, and a cache being hard because you have to find coordinates writting on the bottom of a rock in an area that has 1000 other similiar rocks in it. The first is a nice challenge well worth the effort, the second is annoying. I've found that people generally appreciate the extra effort and difficulty that I put into caches (though some have gotten upset, many more have applauded them or even emailed me). I to feel the same way, one of my favorite caches is this one Excelsior Peak Stash. The hike was great and the view was unreal, I spent hours up there just staring in amazement! "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

quote:Originally posted by SherwoodForest: and have found one cache already in NWPA and plan to find more (Day Trip to Presque Isle, trip to Moraine), so I would be interested in news of what's happening in NWPA. But, mainly right now I'm working (with CJB4589) to organize the NorthEast Ohio Cachers group (NEOGeocachers), and getting approval from Cuyahoga Valley National Park for a series of virtual caches I have planned... Cache well... "You will kneel before her in her altar in the trees" - Tara MacLean, Let Her Feel The Rain *cough* fellowship *cough* *ahem* *cough* ANyway Any thought to combining the NE Ohio group and NW PA groups? "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

quote:Originally posted by SherwoodForest: and have found one cache already in NWPA and plan to find more (Day Trip to Presque Isle, trip to Moraine), so I would be interested in news of what's happening in NWPA. But, mainly right now I'm working (with CJB4589) to organize the NorthEast Ohio Cachers group (NEOGeocachers), and getting approval from Cuyahoga Valley National Park for a series of virtual caches I have planned... Cache well... "You will kneel before her in her altar in the trees" - Tara MacLean, Let Her Feel The Rain *cough* fellowship *cough* *ahem* *cough* ANyway Any thought to combining the NE Ohio group and NW PA groups? "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

We recently had a rep come in and demo the national geographic Topo software. The stuff kicks arse. Completely scrollable so your not rummaging through maps, print off whatever section you want, a sweet profile maker that shows the elevation changes along your route, some crazy auto trail following device, and you can even get updates from the site that incorporate new trails and shading, which while it isn't as good as a complete update to the USGS topo's (the software uses those topos) it is better then nothing. They have a US one (which doesn't allow you to zoom in as much) and several of the Northeastern states, but will be adding more later. Fortunately since PA is apparently the biggest state in terms of Topo sales they have a PA one. Only thing that bothered me is the vendor would't give me a free copy "...Not all those who wander are lost..."