Quizes

I've been following this thread with great interest and appreciate the sentiment on both sides. It is a good discussion for our community and I hope people can hold their vitriol so that it continues. I don't want to see the thread closed.

If anyone puts out a cache full of condoms, firearms, pornography, liquor, razor blades, and hypodermic needles, please let me know. I've got some fireworks I need to trade up or even.

Will I be insulted here if I ask what an SSID is?

You can see it on the pathtag site if you search for that username. Seriously....it is that good.

I'll pop in on this thread to say that I have been lucky enough to find a 9Key pathtag that I was able to trade out of a cache and it is the toughest pathtag you'll ever see.

Just got back from caching this weekend in a local state park where ALL the caches had an altitude in the description.

There are several here in Texas that are the first stages for multis. The hider used a sharpie to put the coordinates on the inside lid of the container.

The likelyhood of it getting taken would increase because of potential thieves making off with it before they open it.

I have cached on a rails to trails hiking trail where the altimeter was useful in letting me know if I had to look on the gully floor or the bridge span for the cache. So, they do come in handy for some of us.

I use guitar picks that are stamped with the local Buddy Holly Center logo on them.

Some of us letterboxers are just thrilled to have ANY stamp in a cache box.

Well, if you are caching in the moutains, it could be helpful in telling you if you have to climb to get the cache.

People complain when their bugs aren't placed in a chach and people complain when their bugs are placed in a cache...durned if you do, durned if you don't. That's why I usually bypass bugs.

I am married to a non-cacher. He will tolerate one cache on the way somewhere if it is on the road and will take less than 10 minutes. Otherwise, I drop him off with a fishing pole and do a cache run before going back to pick him up (often with fast food as a present) and pretend to be interested in fishing for 15 minutes.

We are a friendly caching population where I live...if a cache needs maintenance, the next person to the cache will replace the container/log..etc and contact the CO that they did so. We believe in the pay it forward motto. Recently we have a new cacher in the area who logs lots of NM & SBAs with his DNF postings. (Almost demanding that the cache be removed from the searchable database without offering his assistance or even a reason why he wants the CO to do so) Often his DNF then NM then SBA will come within a matter of days. Don't be that guy.

I have one of the geopatches that I log in and out of every cache. I have a magnetic bug I put on our camper when we are traveling and log it in to at least one cache on every trip.

I always leave a guitar pick from the Buddy Holly Center in Lubbock where I'm from. I also will leave other things to add to swag poor caches: small fridge magnets, dora the explorer stickers, unopened mctoys, etc. I also raid the party supply stores for small swag: bead bracelet kits, metal puzzles, koosh balls, and other birthday grab bag items. I always leave something in a cache container, whether I trade or not. I sometimes cache with my nieces, so I know how disappointed they can be if there is nothing in a cache. I will always trade for pins for the collection on my cache bag. I carry Buddy Holly glasses pins for that trade. I've only found one pathtag so far, but would always trade for them. I'll also trade caribeaners if I need one, or other camping type item.

Another yes vote.

The state of New Mexico is a shining example of the geocaching community and land managers working together. All New Mexico state parks have at least one geocache. For the 75 anniversary of the NM park system, a special cache was placed in each park. Cachers who completed the challenge of finding all 34 diamond jubilee caches were awarded a prize and were in a drawing for some larger prizes. My experience is that NM park rangers want you to find the caches in their park, and willingly help point you in the right direction. They even help with cache maintenance. That relationship is the perfect marriage of conservation, responsibility and fun. We should all look to the folks in NM and learn from their success.

I guess I should have added that I would love to come out and help, but I live in Lubbock. Be sure and put this request on the Texas Geocachers Assn forums. Contact me when you come to Caprock Canyons or Palo Duro!

State Parks are a great value here in Texas. Everywhere I've been has been interesting, clean and the folks are all friendly and ready to help. This is a great program, run by our best state institution. Be sure to call ahead and to ask about other programs such as ranger led nature hikes, star-gazing parties, tours of historic sites, archeological talks, etc. Each park is special in its own way and provides unique draws for outdoor lovers. As a frequent park user, I'll also put in a plug for the state parks pass. For $65 per year, you get free access to all state parks for yourself and anyone in the vehicle with you. There is still a fee for overnight camping, but you do not have to pay the entrance fee. Thanks for all the patient park rangers and to those who are responsible for granting permits for park caches! P.S. Currently you can fish in all state parks for free without a state fishing license. Several parks also have loaner rods and tackle. Bring your own bait!

Well, as long as we are asking questions about hydation packs...how do I get the "plasticy" taste out of my bag?

I just wanted a clarification of the term "muggled", I didn't bring the rest of it into the thread.

Possible to get, but someone in a wheelchair might not be able to see it from the angle of sitting in a chair. The cacher seems to have a problem with the cache difficulty rating, but his log indicates to me (and to the owner) that the cache was not there. So, the owner (college students gone for the summer) archived it.

But, I found it twice a couple of weeks apart in THE SAME exact place.