Cool Librarian

Wow, that's a pretty digital SLR.... I want a new digital camera (mine is dead) anything from the geocaching store better hiking boots (any suggestions for women with bad ankles?) a caching partner Are you on the trail that leads to my cache?

I have seen a lot of junk here too. I "renew" caches all the time. And, I know this is a "guy" sport in a lot of ways, but don't knock the tampon - if a girl's in serious need, there's no better trade Are you on the trail that leads to my cache?

Scott - Amen! If a cache owner is unaware f the cache contents, then you are back to the original question - if a FINDER finds something they don't like (but is not hateful, harmful, or otherwise obviously inappropriate), then they should LEAVE IT ALONE. Only the cache owner should remove items from the cache for reasons of personal taste. Not that I don't understand the question. I have a few caches, that I check regularly. In one I found a military patch.... Now, I'm this will make me a pariah here, but, as a pacifist bleeding heart liberal, my first response was "oh, I am so taking that out of MY cache." But, I decided to leave it, because I know that someone will love it (it was a nice quality patch), and my cache is not only out there to please me, it is out there to please others. And, though I would like to run the world, and inflict my taste and judgement on all around me, I don't. And, as corny as it sounds, I felt good about overlooking my own feelings on the item and leaving it for someone who wants it. So, bottom line, if it isn't against regs or just outright trash (literally, ya know, broken crap), and the cache isn't yours, trade for something else. Jessica Are you on the trail that leads to my cache?

This is a great idea - the trick will be finding a library to go along. If I had my own library, I'd let you. I would suggest trying a smaller branch library rather than bigger - the bigger the library, the more red tape crap that would have to occur. Look for a library with a younger director - I hate to stereotype, as I do know some very hip "older" librarians, but, like everything else, the library profession is changing, and the younger generation (like me!) is a lot "cooler" than one might expect. Good Luck! Jessica Are you on the trail that leads to my cache?

I love bookcrossing! Check out my cache. The original was stolen a few days ago but it's back in action. The latest visitor was a woman from bookcrossing who saw it listed on my "bookshelf" and has now started caching. Pretty cool, I think. Jessica Are you on the trail that leads to my cache?

Very Cool! Congrats! Are you on the trail that leads to my cache?

Insp Gadget- Good for you!!!!!! I was keeping my mouth shut, because I was getting annoyed - it's hard to believe that there are still people out there who look at tattooing as A. anything more than a PERSONAL choice, and B. some sort of gap in judgement/morals. Anywhoooo- As a woman with 5 tats, including one that goes from butt crack to mid-back (and soon to neck) - I have to say that I do not regret a single one of them. I got my first at 25 after wanting one for 15 years - so I felt that I had given it enough thought. All are beautiful - my artist is amazing. Tattoos on women certainly do not need to conjure up images of hard women on motorcycles (not there's anything wrong with that), just as the word "librarian" does not need to mean cardigan sweaters and hair buns - after all, I am a tattooed research librarian. For anyone considering their first tat, just bears these things in mind: It's YOUR body - you do not need to explain yourself to anyone. Find a reputable shop. Look at work, ask about their sanitation procedures (which always include a NEW needle). If you feel uncomfortable for ANY reason (attitude, clientele, cleanliness) LEAVE. Start small - it does hurt, and it is permanent. Do not do it on a whim, or while drunk - that's just asking for regret. I can't wait to see it posted here, Insp Gadget! Are you on the trail that leads to my cache?

This morning, I saw this bumper sticker on what I call a "Jesus Fish car": "Are you on the road that leads to my house?" -GOD I have modified it to my secular, geocaching tagline: "Are you on the trail that leads to my cache?" -cool_librarian Nice to see a fun thread! Jessica

Wow, I am always amazed at the tone a lot of posts have on this forum.... I think that what we all need to remember is that this is supposed to be fun, and there is no right or wrong way to enjoy this sport. Cachers and caches come in all varieties. Some live for the find, some for the numbers, some for the walk/hike/scenery, some for the difficulty, and some for the trading. If a ratings system makes it more fun for those who consider themselves "hardcore" then so be it. If ratings systems aren't your thing, that's OK too - ratings are almost always based on the opinion of a person/group of people, and really only mean something if it means something to YOU. Personally, this sport has lead me to do a little hiking - hiking that I wouldn't have done otherwise. And, I love the trading aspect - even though I am well aware that a lot of people think trading is silly and prefer to TNLN. And, I certainly mean no offense, but sometimes the forums reflect a good deal of testosterone poisoning. While a great number of cachers may be buff, healthy, woodsy, men who are able to trek long miles and scale mountains, sometimes I think that we need to remember that there are solitary female cachers (like myself) who do not feel safe venturing too far afield, family cahers with small kids (who love trading), disabled cachers who appreciate park n' grab caches, and those just looking to enjoy the outdoors a little more. There is room here for everyone. So raters, rate away! Those who don't like the ratings, just ignore it. (gee, I wonder how flamed I will get for this...) Jessica [This message was edited by cool_librarian on October 18, 2003 at 05:50 PM.]

My two cents: I like the tupperware concept better than the jars, but I think they are too small. I agree that ammo cans are great containers in terms of practicality, but I think the tupperware is more universal. I like the ghost. The rest of the icons are fine. Is anyone still doing webcam caches? Those seem like a pain in the butt. Jessica

As a librarian, I am somewhat familiar with the rules for kid-friendly boards - and yes, there are a few. BUT, I think it can be done, especially if 2 or 3 adult moderators are willing to make it their pet project. And, as this is a sport done by many families, I think having a kid's forum (say, under 16) is an excellent idea. It would allow kids who are old enough to be seriously interested in caching to have a place to talk to other kids, and it would help cut down on the kid traffic in the other sections. Breaktrack - I agree with you whole-heartedly! I do not have children, but if I did, they wouldn't be allowed to surf unsupervised. It's too bad we live in a world with so much danger in the form of predators, but we do, and to ignore that fact can have tragic results.

I just placed my first cache yesterday and I tried to put some "useful" (for cachers) stuff in: caribiners, notepads, batteries, bug-bite band-aids - and guess what - all of those items are gone already! All bought at the dollar store. I also added some kid-friendly stuff - bubbles, super bounce balls - and the bubbles are gone too! My "signature" (at this point) items to leave are keychains that I make with nice (not toy or plastic) beads, and small ziplocks with nice glass beads (I used to own a beaded jewelry store, and I still make jewelry). I have noticed that they get picked up quickly. I would really like to have a team patch, so I am working on having some made. I am hoping to place some "theme" caches, just because it sounds like fun. I have only been doing this for two weeks, and I am having a blast! Jessica

Hi, I am new here! Just wanted to let you know that I got a good deal on a NEW Garmin Etrex ($94 including shipping!) on ebay, and the seller has others. His auctions are "BUY IT NOW" auctions, so you don't have to bid, just buy. His (or her) seller name is needful_things4u - check it out. You can try this link http://cgi6.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewSellersOtherItems&userid=needful_things4u&include=0&since=-1&sort=3&rows=50 but I'm not sure it will work.... Jessica Just found my first cache!