Lothar69

Update to my previous message. I now know where we will be staying. It will be in zip code 23464. Hopefully that will help narrow the search. Thanks again - Lothar69, Lincoln, NE

Hello caching friends in VA Beach! I will be in the general area for my cousins wedding in a few weeks. I've never been to this part of the U.S. and would like to, time permitting, see if I can't do a little caching for fun. I was wondering if anyone can provide me with some caches that are relatively quick and easy to find. I don't have specifics as to where we will be staying with me right now but I can provide them if requested. I would particularly like to find some right on the coast if possible. I'll be doing some research on my own as well but thought I'd get some local opinions. Thanks to all who reply! Lothar69 from Lincoln, NE.

IMHO as a newbie (5 finds in 6-7 tries) I would like to have a dead giveaway hint available. I have found it pretty frustrating a couple of times not being able to locate the cache, especially when conditions are not very favorable (hot, humid, snowing, raining, cold, etc...) or after a lengthy hike. I like the idea of a multi-tiered hint option so that I could confirm that I'm in the right general area first, then if I still needed help, a little more info, and then a third dead giveaway. Since the hints are coded, people don't have to use them if they choose not to. I just find it frustrating to come away without a find. Besides, it would be a good way to confirm if the cache is gone or not. Another thing that I personally find frustrating is people who give misleading clues to throw subsequent cachers off the path. I don't want spoilers but I also don't want to be deceived either. I'm sure some folks like that and its fine but I've been a little frustrated at times.

I also just got an Etrex-Legend recently and I took it with me on our family vacation last week to Yellowstone & Grand Teton Nat'l park. I found that the elevations the GPSr unit gave elevations that were accurate to within 20-40 feet when compared to posted elevation signs I saw. I don't think the elevation disparity is a major issue in terms of finding caches. The exception, however, would be if the cache was in an elevated position. See my recent post from a few days ago regarding elevated caches. I also spoke with my father regarding the issue and we were in agreement that the coordinates may be off in regards to elevated caches because the lat & lon coords refer to a specific point on the ground. To do otherwise would require factoring a third coordinate for the elevation. Just some thoughts.

Does anyone know where one can obtain the MapSource CDs for the Garmin GPS units as cheap as possible? Just recently got an Etrex-Legend. Took it along on our family vacation to Yellowstone just to try and get familiar with it (hadn't quite figured out how to enter coordinates for caches yet so I couldn't search for any). Discovered the potential of the mapping software when I nearly ran out of gas in Nowhere, Wyoming. The software seems a little cost prohibitive. I've seen it for as little as $99 I think. Seems pretty high. I also have Microsoft Streets and Trips on my home PC. Will the Legend interract with that program at all? Exchange maps or upload and download coordinates?

I'm new to Geocaching and GPS units in general. Just received an Etrex-Legend for my birthday a few weeks ago. Located my 2nd chache today that was on a man-made bridge elevated about 30 above ground. I'm curious as to how the GPS adjusts the coordinates, if at all for elevations like this. Initially, when I was on the bridge, the distance meter showed that I was within about 30 feet even though I was actually right next to the container (I didn't see it). When I went down to ground level below the bridge, I was able to get to within 3 feet when standing directly below where I eventually found the cache. I think this knowledge might be very useful in finding future elevated caches. Any help would be great!