M&M and Daddio

All the items you mentioned seem like great swag! My kids love books... and it's an interesting twist to getting them. (Just ensure you put them in a zip bag to keep them dry) There are ton's of neat things for kids. My kids are a bit older, so I buy things that they enjoy.... who am I to judge. Let your kids show you what they think is neat. My favourite swag item was a marble... not because it was a marble, but because the cacher left a story with it. My daughters found a Nancy Drew book... and now one of them is hooked on the series.

Do I want to act like a cache warden? Absolutly not! Do I wish people could follow the simple motto of trade up, trade even, or don't trade? I sure do! Does it happen... NOPE. I don't believe there is one target group that causes the problem... Members are just as guilty as non-members. I'm not sure if my plan will work... I'll post in a year and let you know... I think it's easy to monitor that a "finder" can only log a find if you advise what you've left as swag. If somone thinks a dirty toy is valuable... tell us why and ithe find counts.

The problem that I've seen is that those that take swag and leave decent swag note it in the logs and on the geocaching.com site. Those that take swag and leave junk don't. Go figure. As for the previous poster; I don't have any issues with a cache being filled with kids items. I take my kids so that's what they want to find. However, I don't think a cache geared towards kids means it has to be filled with junk. Why has it become acceptable that a cache's swag is going to deteriorate over time? Swag should have some degree of quality... regardless of it's age appropriateness. (I believe the dictionary is clear in how it defines crap) As for the original OP, I agree. I like to find cool things. I don't expect it in every cache I find, but it's still neat to find something different... something I wouldn't buy in a store, but still something that I look and think, WOW, I'd like that. I hope that the items I leave do the same for someone following me.

Assuming your wife had no additional information than anyone else looking at geocaching.com I wouldn't have a problem with it at all. (just ensure your logs are clear as to how it was found) Now... if she was the FTF that might cause a stir.

As I posted prior, I hate acting like a "GEO-COP" but our next cache hide will be very explicit. Follow the theme and collect your smiley. TNLN Great! TNL something Great - Excellent! T Qaulity, Left Junk=No Smiley for you. (Suddenly I'm reminded of a Seinfield episode) Is it fair to ask finders what they actually left as swag? I see some cachers log what they took and what they've left, while others say nothing about trading. (embarrased?)

Each one of us enjoys geocaching for are own reasons. I'm not rich, but I'm not poor... you are correct, I can shop for almost anything I want... and those things I can't afford, are likely not going to be found in a cache... but that dosen't change the fact that people should Trade UP, Trade EVEN, or don't trade. If you don't want swag... great, don't swap any. Sign the log and move on. If there is something cool and you want it... even better... swap it out and give a better experience to the cacher that follows you. If you cache with your kids and they want a momento, take something they'd like and leave something better. If you like swag or your own momento, do the same. I try to leave things that I like... but might not run to the store to buy... I want nothing better than someone to follow me to a cache, open it up and say "WOW" that's cool.

I don't know if I'd agree that poor trading is a result of being a new cacher. I'm a new cacher and am confident that I've left quality swag. We have replenished a few caches with some better quality swag and took nothing, yet I'm well under 100 find level. (We don't cache every day, nor every week... so it could take us a years to get to this number) Everyone perceives different value for different swag items. I'm not a fan of McDonalds toys.... yet, I've heard others respond about their collectability. I guess to each their own. But, as I mentioned before, I do think most people understand, junk is junk. People spend $$ on new GPS units, yet think it's ok to leave a used dirty golf ball, or, in the case of my post, a dirty toy pig. BTW, the cacher that left the dirty toy had over 300 finds. It's not a terrible suggestion, but I don't think fair.

I'll be honest, I enjoy the hike, I enjoy the hunt, and I do enjoy the "cache", but in my limited experience... the cache is usually junk. My kids are 13 and they feel the same me. The girls have found a few items which they are very proud of. We are in the process of setting up 3 swag themed caches. One will be for adult oriented items. I hate to be harsh, but I think the only way to make this work, is have people trade up, or even with the the theme of the cache. If they don't, I'm won't allow the log. I hate to do it, but I think it's the only way. I recently placed a cache. There wasn't one item in the cache that cost me less than $25. I put a lot of thought into the items and wanted it to be a cool find for anyone that found it. One of the first few finds and someone took the Snap on Ratchet set - small sized, and exchanged for a dirty plastic toy pig. Not sure how they figured that was a good trade item, but they did. Please understand, the dollar amount is not what I use to judge the value of swag items. But, junk, is junk. I see no value in a dirty toy... (unless the cacher left a note telling us there was some significance to it)

At the risk of causing a major up-roar… I have to say… “Get a Life”! Who cares who logs the find or who doesn’t; This isn’t a job, it’s a hobby… enjoy it and don’t get so dadgum serious! The number of finds / don’t finds you have means nothing… except to yourself. Someone felt they had the right to claim a find… whether I agree or don’t agree, I have to ask… what does it really matter? I feel good about what I do… you feel good about what YOU do… but that doesn’t mean that either of us are right.. or that either of us have to agree. From my limited geocaching experience…and limited Groundspeak experience… I think some cache owners have a bit of a GOD complex. To me, the bigger question on all of this is what does it matter if someone logs a find or they don’t?

I tried doing a search by coordinates, but it didn't give me new caches by proximity. The PQ works, but not exactly what I was hoping for. Why can't the columns be sortable? Last found, or Not found, or proxmity?

This is a bit off topic, but I have a question. What is the smiley for? Where are these logged?

I started off using cutting a pastng the information to notepad, converting to a .txt file and then copying into a CSV file and uploading in my Nuvi. It worked ok, but was a bit time consuming. Fine for searching for 5 or so a weekend, but not practicle for anything more. I tried GSAK and use it with a macro. (macro is available from GSAK's web) It works great! I can easily tailor the information I want loaded in the NUVI. Hint, no hint... logs, no logs... last time found, etc. It's great!

The map option is a great feature, but still does not offer what I'm looking for. I can run the PQ's and get the info that way... but I just figured, since the search option is on the web, it would be so much nicer to sort in a different manner.

I do have and use GSAK, but was hoping I could just sort from the web. I don't necessarily want to download all these into a PQ. The other problem I have.. and I'm not a GSAK expert, but I don't want a large database as I download these points to my NUVI... Thus I don't want to start uploading large PQ's. It seems a rather simple feature to me. Similar to Ebay where I can sort findings in a number of manners. Closest, ending soonest, etc.

I use my Nuvi 260 and then my Etrex. The Nuvi is great for the car and gets us close. I upload the cache details, hints... and sometimes even some of the photo's. I use the Etrex to get me from my car to the cache. It's a great combo. If I opt to take the NUVI with me, I ensure it's in a rubber sleeve. (available on ebay)

When searching for caches I'm given the option to "List newest in Ontario" (Obviously Ontario as that's my home coordinate) The results appear to be sorted by date. Is it possible to change the order of this list? I'd rather have the list show closest to furthest away. Without exporting this list, is it possible to have the list sort in by different criteria? It would also me be nice to see those that have yet to be found. Thanks!

Check the GSAK web. There is a current forum on this topic. I use the NUVI 260 and have it working perfectly. (I don't use it to get to cache, but rather get me to a parking spot near the cache... I then use the NUVI for paperless caching with my Etrex)

I cache with my twin girls so love to find things that they enjoy. They collect their treasures so it's most beneficial to find things worth keeping. Their favorite is a small Tinkerbelle statue. We try and leave quality swag. A few of the things we’ve left include; Windup flashlights Tape Measure Tool Kit Drill Bits Hot Wheels Gift Certificates Silver Dollars Key Chain Digital Cameras Memory Cards

We have left a Barbie, Barbie clothing, hot wheel cars, gift certificates for movie rentals and a few other things which my girls have picked out. Most visitors to our cache, or cache's we've visited, either TNLN, or trade even or up. However, as posted, it is discouraging to see the junk that others will leave. The value of swag is personal... what I may love, you may hate... but I'd still suggest that junk is junk. My kids are too old for a McToy, but I'm sure there are plenty of children that would love them. However, to exchange a $10-20 Barbie for a free toy seems to contravene the sprit. Please don't misunderstand... it isn't about the money, but I think people should at least try to trade up or even. Leave something that other kids will enjoy... and you as a parent, guardian, or friend, would be happy they got.

I recently placed a cache and had really hoped it would be maintained with quality swag. My daughters and I put a fair bit of time into filling the cache and it’s placement. We posted the following on the description page; “We worked hard to fill our cache with items that would appeal to adults, teens, and kids… please re-stash our cache and leave something behind that will make the next casher love this game more than his fellow cachers.” Today were out to check on it, and someone had left a piece of junk. It is very discouraging. Since I know when the junk was left, it was pretty easy to determine which cacher left it… would you send them a note, or just accept it as the way things are? Please understand, I go out because I enjoy the outdoors; I love the hike, I love the company I’m with, and I love the satisfaction of the find. However, my daughters are very young… and although I’m sure they love to spend time with Dad, I also know they love the idea of finding a special treasure.

There is no problem using a serial connection if your computer is equipped. More and more laptops are being sold without serial connections. This is a real problem with many industrial applications. You can purchase a Serial to USB connector at Radio Shack or any similar tyipe store... Just be warned, not all work.

I have the NUVI 260 and a Etrex Venture. I tied using the NUVI but had no luck... it does do a great job and getting me to the area... then I let the Etrex take over. My advise, buy a cheap hand held. On a side note... the NUVI is great for paperless caching. I plug in all the hints and logs and use it while I'm looking. I can even download the pictures if anyone has posted to ensure I'm in the correct area.

I've got a cache placed in a cemetery. It happens to be a historic sight. There are no recent burials. (Since early 1900's) I was very careful where the cache was placed and thought fellow geocachers would do the same when hunting. It's a very interesting location and very picturesque, however it is still a burial ground. Care must be taken to ensure the headstones are unharmed and the grounds remain in good condition. When I placed the cache I left an attribute that no dogs were allowed and to stay on marked paths. I will say I am very disappointed to discover that several geocachers have visited with animals and judging by the tracks in the snow, did not take care as to where they walked. Today, while checking the cache the "remains" of a few large dogs were left behind. I've opted to archive this site. I guess my take on this is that I personally don't have a problem with cemeteries being used. As long as you have permission, and place your cache in a way that would respect the deceased as well as those that may be visiting. However, this being said, we must also realize that not everyone has the same common sense when looking for a cache.

I found a beautiful area to place a cache, however it's within 100 meters of another. The other cache has been flagged as needing maintenance since November. It appears that the cache owner has not logged in for a few years. Cache was placed in 2003. I've emailed the owner but had no response. I would gladly take over but can't. To be clear, this cache is well beyond needing maintenance.. there is nothing left. How is this handled? How long does it take GC to delete the cache... or does this actually happen?

Thanks for your help! I'll download these tonight and see how it works.