madfamily

I understand everyone can have a different understanding of travel bugs, because except for stated missions there aren't really any rules. Some say 2 weeks is too long to hold a TB.... is it really? I think it depends on the mission. I like the idea of holding a TB until I get a chance to place it. Simply HAVING a TB is a fun reminder that I need to get out there and do some caching. It's a conversation piece as well... which leads to caching, because when you start talking about caching with people you end up caching with people. I don't think I should feel obligated to recirculate at 2 weeks.... I personally would feel guilty at about 2 months (provided there was no stated mission I was violating). Rather than hold someone else's hostage, I try to make new TBs which I have in-hand ready to go, and talk about. But I do enjoy the times I have some interesting TB in hand in between caches. Withmy lifestyle (small children at home) sometimes I feel lucky to get out caching at all, and even then I have to stick to 1/1 caches within 20 minutes of home.

I think the geocaching community would benefit from an awareness campaign regarding travel bugs. Two weeks ago I placed a geocoin as incentive for a renewed cache . It was gone in a day... the paper log showed it taken by someone who rushed over to get it, but it was not logged on geocaching.com. It remains lost to this day. A month ago I dropped a TB while on a group outing, and someone immediately took it. It has not been logged, and appears to be missing to this day. I was the last to log it. A few weeks back I met a cacher who had 18 TBs in his sack... some kept for many months. Isn't it enough to log your contact with the TB; do we really need to hold on to them? It seems that there is a melding of commemorative geocaching coins and travel bugs, and as a result TBs have become collectibles. It seems the geocaching society is at least becoming tolerant of TB retention, if not condoning and perhaps even encouraging collecting them by making commemorative coins into TBs. Perhaps we should have a public awareness campaign to raise awareness of the importance of respecting the stated missions of TBs and the wishes of the owners? It is one thing to produce and give away an attractive commemorative coin, but a TB is supposed to be sent along, no? I know I am hesitant to create any good TBs anymore, as I am more and more certain that they will simply be collected by someone in short order.

wow.. that mapfile post was VERY helpful to me... I can print and take on the run (which I just did). Thanks alot for sharing Bill. Also thanks Weightman for the info on Kinkos. I won't know for sure until I am in Seattle tomorrow eve, but if I can I'd be glad to offer a ride -- I'll have a minivan all to myself and lots of room. Unfortunately I can't offer until I am sure, and that might be too late for good planning... I'll see what I can do.

Now we see the problem with IT today... even with the geocache coords and the Kinkos website, I still don't know if there is a Kinkos nearby (!). Here's Kinko's listed options: Issaquah WA Commons,835 NW Gilman Blvd,Issaquah, WA 98027-5318 Tukwila WA, 112 Andover Park East Ste A, Tukwila, WA 98188-2901 Kent WA, 23203 Pacific Hwy S, Kent, WA 98032-2721 Bellevue WA Factoria, 3900 Factoria Blvd SE, Bellevue, WA 98006-1234 Federal Way WA, 31823 S Gateway Blvd, Federal Way, WA 98003-5616 anyone know off hand if thisis an option? I can do the mapquest research later, but figured I could ask. (And no, I don't have wireless with me, so I need a terminal e.g. kinkos or Cafe, or library)

Is there a Kinkos or Internet cafe or Library with public access terminals nearby to the start area? I will be coming in the day before, but don't have Internet access. Thx