EleriandBlade

Thank you very much for all your hard work, Raine.

I used the KML regularly, even when I wasn't actively geocaching. I run an event that uses GPS devices, and I was *always* using the KML to find which caches were going to be near where our site was. I could make paths, section off an area of park, figure out distances from multiple thumbtacks. I can't get *nearly* the same amount of data onto the maps on GC.c and now the KML is down with a week and a half to go until the next big event, and I'm having to do a huge amount of mapping manually. Grr.

I used to do mostly casual weekend caching, nothing super intensive, very little deep woods caching. My little explorist 200 worked just fine for that. Unfortunately, my arthritis is bad enough now that the little joystick is impossible for me to use and killed my caching, so I'm pondering a new unit. All I really want from it is basic maps, can download the cache info straight to the gps, and not a little joystick for navigating. A touch pad would be fine. Heck, I might even live with the little joystick if I didn't have to use it to enter cache info. So I'm fine with an older model, even used from someone who's upgraded. I don't need paperless (we use hubby's treo for that), doesn't even need to be in colour. I figure I can score something functional on ebay for under $100, but what should I be looking for? Its been so long since I paid attention, I'm not sure what the next step up from the explorist is, or the comparable Garmin unit, or great maker there's another dozen gadgets out there now I don't even recognize. So, in summary: Basic, bare bones GPSr, can connect to computer for waypoint download, touch/rocker pad rather than joystick. Cheap.

Good idea. Allowing the hotheads in any group to control interactions with others just leads to ongoing problems. Some in the geocaching community have worked hard to estiblish and maintain good relationships with various land managers over the years and doing the same with other interest groups, caving in this case, makes perfect sense. I've done something close with work. In order to let similar, complimentary groups know about what we were doing, we set up a sort of Open House, come and get to know us day, and sent invitations out. Then we had a few people designated as the walking FAQs, even doing some demos, and the rest of us mostly socialized and answered casual questions.

Sorry about the duplicate post. Internet hiccup.

I agree. Going in with accusations would be a Bad Idea Now, setting up a Bohm-style dialogue with some of the local grottos about Caching and Caves, without any refrence to the incident (not even a "we heard that someone's talking trash about us cachers!") couldn't hurt us or them, and could enhance the sport.

that looks SO COOOOOL!!

I've been vaguely pondering buying a new GPS. I've been using an eXplorist 200 for ages now, and it serves just fine, cause we're very casual on-and-off cachers. But with the increased arthritis in my hands, having to enter in every cache's coordinates with that little joystick is getting really difficult, owowow. So, all I really would like to do is upgrade to something that has about the same functionality, but can download coords from the computer. We only ever store about 20 waypoints at a time, so really high storage isn't a need, and we do most of our caching in the urban woods. But I've been using my little yellow beastie long enough, that I've totally lost track of what's the basics out there. I started thumbing through FAQ and reviews and such, and my head started to spin. Any personal recommendations? I've mostly used Magellan, but I'm not a purist

extracted from another thread: What I'm wondering, is if it is OMG AGAINST THE RULES to place things like coupons/gift cards/GCs in caches, if those coupons are for caching specific items, or for stores that carry caching products. Is that considered commercial solicitation in a cache? I know I've seen other, similar things placed in caches, but never with cachers and caching as the target market.

bump, since I'd kinda like an answer in the midst of the offtopicness

Here's a ponder... people occasionally leave coupons and such in caches... what about caching specific coupons? Like "Buy one get one free AMOCANS at Lucky Eddie's Surplus" or "Get $2 off your next purchase of Bison Tubes from Joe's Cacherama!" Are those kosher, or commercial?

Fair deal! Any excuse to party is a good excuse, right? And if it raises the stress level, then it's noooo fun anymore! But we'll still see about that BBQ!

Yay for us for finally making 100. It's not much, but it's a start

With our return to caching, we celebrated by reaching our 100th cache milestone over Memorial Day weekend, and placing a new cache, Y.A.R. #1, the first in a series. It was published at 5 am this morning. And logged FTF at 6:45am, by >---^---: )! So I've issued him a challenge: Be the FTF on all the Y.A.R. Caches, and I'll throw a party! So here's the formal details: 1. >---^---: ) must be FTF on all Y.A.R. caches published between now and Aug 31, he has until Sept 3 to log them. 2. We will place at least five more caches by the Aug 31 deadline. 3. Others may cache with him, but he must be the FTF 4. His accomplishment will be celebrated with a Open To All Cachers BBQ, likely the weekend of Sept 8th Some of these may be easy...some of them may not (If you're familiar with the Coloured Perceptions cache, or Everywhere Uru, you know I can make a downright evil puzzle). They may be published spread apart, or in clusters. Rest assured that we'll keep this FTF Phenomenon on his toes! We'll update his progress here

Is that a cache in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?!? Why can I see someone being told "Don't move! I just slipped a chace into your pocket, and if you move, the coordinates will be wrong!" or "No, I'm not trying to grope you, I'm checking for a cache in your pocket!"

I'm not quite ready to give my babies up for adoption yet, but my health this year has kept me from caching, and my three are in need of maintainance. Anyone in the Lynnwood, WA area willing to give them some TLC until I can return to my duties as a good cache mommy?

I've started leaving little "I love caching" bead bracelets* in caches, especially those that might not ever get trade items. *caching colours, with a little clear heart bead.

I was sad to see that all the Bob the Horse caches in the Portland area have been archived, because he moved. Those were amoung the first caches I found, and some of them were downright eeeeevvvilll. I'm not in the area anymore, or I'd adopt a bunch. Maybe someone else could?

You're getting over whooping cough and still want to go caching? Yeesh, get better first. Gotta have my fix, maaaaan! *withdrawl twitches* Actually found out that two friends from a completely unrelated social group have just discovered caching, so we'll have the joy of addicting others to look forward to, heehee!

thanks everybuggy! This will work wonders for the caravan I'm planning this summer (the Mysterium one, mtnman)

I am wanting it to Stop Raining ( ) so I can go scout some cache locations before the good spots are all gone! Too many puzzle ideas in my head, not enough places to hide. Maybe I should start renting myself out as a puzzle creator.

I've been moving into the new house and recovering from pertussis. No caching in the rain, just Blade schlepping heavy boxes. That and me peering out the windows sulking that it's too cold and wet for me to cache. *harumph*

Could someone please, gently, walk this poor impared cacher through using Google Earth with geocaching. I get there's something called an kmz (?) file that overlays info onto GE, but how do I get the cache info in that format? Yes, I am a premium member, I'm just a little slooowwww sometimes

Looks like Blade's being sent to San Jose for some big industry hoohah those days Darn, cause this sounded like a fun thing.

the 'numbers' ( 4 8 15 16 23 42 ) have been parsed into coordinates, too Now, IF the pic was legit...and IF those TBs came from somoene on flight 815, then there might be a GPS kicking around on the island somewhere... Ahhh, I love it when my addictions overlap! (don't you mtnman? ) Hmmm. one of the bugs it could have been is about half an hour away from me...