MarshMonsters

That would be funny to see someone try to lift that!

It sounds like a cool idea; but I wouldn't feel comfortable poking around a bike rack. Some cachers may think since it is an apartment complex that they could come anytime day or night. That could be upseting to a resident. The container would be cool to use though. Try finding a different spot. I love the ammo can idea. It would be funny to see how many fake logs would be put in the cache after someone gets tired of looking for the real log.

I have a yellow E-trex. I just call it my "little dude" or "little guy". Maybe after I find more caches he will get a real name.

Not yet, but I thought my first encounter was going to happen last Wednesday. Turns out it was a "Water Pollution Control Center" worker. Who noticed we looked a little lost and helped us back out to where we were supposed to be.

Mine was actually a DNF that happened today. Here is my note to the cache owner: Watch out when caching in this area. There is a box under said tree. It is a large pink Victoria's Secret box. It has black writing on the top. From far away we thought that it was the cache. When we got closer we saw that it is a grave for someone's beloved pet "Angel" the box is marked: "a gift from above sent by God." It looks like it was placed there recently and is still intact. I don't know how much longer it will stay intact due to the location and the wildlife. If you have young children please be cautious when searching. A good thing I have found about a dozen so far! If I was still green I would have been feeling pretty green after opening that cache!

We came across our first frozen cache this past Sunday. It was on a little point that stuck out into a ravine. There was about three feet on each side. I tried to grab the cache but it was stuck in place, so I started chipping the ice under it. The ice broke and the cache went flying. It almost flew down into the ravine! . The hint on the log was no need for drastic elevation change. So in my found it log I said that the cache almost made a drastic elevation change. I don't know how we would have retrieved that one.

I leave mine in each cache that I visit. If I find something I want I will leave a trade item in addition to the wooden nickel. I hope someone will pick mine up. If not, the nickel is there to say that I was there. I collect signature items. Some people will leave a signature item instead of signing the log. The problem with that is if your item is taken then there is nothing there to say that you visited.

Most of our local craft stores have nice dollar bins. Target also has good stuff in the dollar section. I try to find things that will hold up to the weather changes and if it gets wet is still salvageable. If it the item doesn't come wrapped I put the items into little ziplock baggies for extra protection.

After reading the boards it seems like alot of people love the handmade items so I will stick with those. Thanks for the input! I found the nickels 2.99 at Michaels for 22 and the paint was $.95. I choose some nature themed stickers. I am using frogs and turtles for this batch. I was able to keep the cost around $6.00 not too bad. The next time should cost less since I have most of the materials on hand.

I created our first signature item last week. I only made 18 so I could see how well they work. It took about two days. I bought blank wooden nickels and painted them. I had to wait for them to dry before I wrote on them with a paint marker. After that I attached stickers and placed them into tiny ziplock bags. Right now I am debating on whether or not to make handmade items or get them printed. Total cost is $6.00.

We have been caching for a little over a month. This past weekend was our first with snow. It definitely made things a little harder. Two caches had problems with ice and one is buried. We also learned to watch out for deep snow. I sunk up to my knee at one cache, and had my foot fall into a hole at another. It was still a lot of fun though. As for a beater camera you can buy a disposable digital camera. They can take a little more of a beating.

Thank you for your answers. I couldn't find any answers when I searched, so these really helped. It seems like the majority are archived due to damage and muggles. There are a few caches in my area that are fine but are getting archived to make more room for new caches.

I'll have to keep a look out for abandoned and archived caches with TB's or Coins in there. Hopefully most cache owners will pick up the cache and move the trackables on their way.

What is done with the contents of an archived cache? Do the owners place the contents (if there is anything good) in a new cache or do they keep it? I was just curious.

Here is what I leave: Items from dollar sections Dollar coins for micros WG Dollars(Where's George Dollars) Playing Cards Little toys.

YES! you'll be delighted to know that a Florida cacher very kindly leaves floss as his sig item! What a champ. My Mother in Law gave us a bunch unopened dental floss packs that were in my husband's bathroom when he lived at home. We also got a bunch of opened packs too. We have enough opened packs (not counting our own floss) to last us 5+ years. After we learn the sport better we may create a cache with a dental floss theme!

I found an Old Navy camoflauge messenger bag. It has alot of compartments. I got it for $2.00 at the local thrift store. After a good wash it will be good to go.

I like this micro: GC11P50; which was our second find. It gave us a little history lesson and good exercise. Without giving any clues away the steps give you good exercise especially if you don't count right. I like micros like this. There was even room for small trade items and coins. I try to stay away from micros that I think add to the numbers game. If it happens to be along a route I will stop but I will not go out of my way to find them otherwise. I enjoy reading the forums because they give you feedback on the guidelines and you will find many examples of how not to play. I want to play the game by the rules and have fun. People who don't play by the rules ruin it for everyone. This could be why it is scaring off some newbies.

I am still learning the ropes but so far I love it. I admit I do plan some of our treks based around geocaches; but at least it gets us out and about. It also gets us to look at an area that we have been to before in a new way! Isn't that one of the objects of the sport? I purposely bought an inexpensive and easy to use GPSr. I bought the Garmin yellow Etrex H. after I heard about people having a harder time with the more expensive models and giving up. (I know someone who is on the verge!) I figure I can upgrade my GPSr in a year or so. I also keep in mind that I am new and it's gping to take awhile to get the hang of it. Most people can't hop on a bike and ride it without learning first and using training wheels. So why should I think any different?

I love the little bubble bath. It was just the right size for him too!

I don't think I'd want to see the aftermath of buried caches. Not only would there be holes everywhere, there would be a lot of injuries too!

The first time I ever went caching was at night in a 24/7 spot. Got there and realized that I left the flashlight at home! Kind of hard to find a micro without a flashlight. The next week I came back with the flashlight and found it.

Even though I am new I would love to do virtuals. The best way to stop the armchair loggers would be to include a picture of the cacher in that area. If someone is camera shy or on their own they can have a picture of their GPS and gear at the spot. This would apply to every cache. It would be nice to see a collection of pictures on the logs.

Mine happened yesterday! Ouch. Didn't find it MarshMonsters couldn't find The Frontenac and Grimalkin Lighthouse (Traditional Cache) I decided to make a video on the tug boat that was breaking the ice on the Grand River. As I was driving around I figured the light house would be a perfect spot to film. I also knew that there were two caches I could find and I knew exactly where this one was. I parked my car on 2nd street and made my way up the hill near the old steps. As I was going up I slipped and fell in the mud. I managed to do a quick save and not destroy my new camera. I got my balance went to turn around and I slipped again. This time I was covered in mud and my camera got some on it too just missing the lens. I was also bleeding and tore some muscles. Needless to say I lived up to the name MarshMonsters. I plan to go back once I am healed. So close!

I would use google maps for the existing caches. From those maps you get a general idea of the land. For new caches I would try my best with the clues and have fun looking. I would also try and refresh my map and compass skills. Even if I didn't find anything, at least I would still be out hiking and having fun. As for my GPSr I guess it would make a nice yellow door stop!