NorStar

I've always had a mixed bag, both not found and found before. As far as the descriptions, I try not to read the descriptions or look at the pictures, at first. If I don't succeed the first time, I'll look. The trouble with the posted pictures is that most of them are the benchmark itself, with no clues on the area. There have been times when I wanted that picture to determine where I went wrong or whether something drastically changed (such as the removal of a rock or replacement of a bridge). I tend to have at least two in my logs, and added comments that might make the official descriptions clearer. If this is 'too much' information I can stop the practice, but it might be helpful in the future especially in urban areas where the landscape changes often.

I tried to use the origin search to see what waymarks were near me (Dedham, MA). I know that I had successfully added a waymark under Masonic Temples Category, yet I didn't see it in the results (the waymark is about 5 miles from my home coordinates, so that should not be the issue). I searched for the key word "Masonic" and found the category. I looked at the bread crumb and saw that it was under "Places/Buildings/Religious Buildings/Masonic Temples". Yet, if I look under "Religious Buildings" it isn't there. Perhaps it takes a little while for a category to be listed in the Directory or it was an oversight in creating the Category. Just asking to have it on your list of 'Things to Do.' Also, as you get more requests for other fraternal and social organizations (the Knights of Columbus, the Elks, any one of a number of Greek Fraternities that are not religious) you might consider making a new category for "Social/Charitable Organizations." For now, it's OK where it is. N/S

Two thumbs up. Similar to benchmarking, and building on a previous comment, I suggest having a field where you select the condition of the bridge: "Good" (very well kept); "Fair" (Shows signs of wear but supports traffic); "Poor" (May only allow pedestrians or closed to all traffic); "Threatened/Restoring" (Major work is being done on or around the bridge where the state of the bridge is not clear); "Destroyed" (Strong evidence showed that there was a bridge but is now missing); and "Moved" (Bridge moved miles to another location, such as a museum or another crossing). These are truly treasures, and it is sad when they get so dilapidated that they have to be demolished. I know of one effort, though, where the bridge now sits on concrete blocks to the side of the road. The local historical society is trying to raise money to replace the pilings and restore the bridge.

On the one hand, its a place, like any other place that you would log as a waypoint. On the other hand, the place is private. I'm not sure I would like to have my place logged as a waypoint, then have people passing by to 'visit' my place. Also, it would be too tempting for marketing people to search for addresses. I think it would be best to keep that kind of list off this website that has wide access.

1. 90% alone. My first benchmarking trip was with a friend at work who is into historical things, old buildings, and diners. I have benchmarked with my brother twice who has similar quirks in investigating and taking pictures of 'non-touristic' things like old buildings, odd cars, and signs. I have tried benchmarking with my girlfriend, but that has been tepid at best and disasterous at worst (the frequent stopping, what's the point, why did it take me so long, etc.). 2. Um, depends on the person (see 1.). I have become accustomed to doing this work alone. But, I do miss the walks around work with the friend at work (our work habits have changed and it just is harder to find the time to take and hour and a half walk at lunchtime). 3. I have shown it to a few people. In addition to the ones mentioned, I did a round up in Maine when I traveled with my parents. They almost took it on. 4. Now you are asking me to choose among my favorites! One of the most memorable periods was a weekend in Vermont. I twice woke up early in the morning to go find some benchmarks before breakfast. The hills east of the Barre area were surrounded by clouds and the low-lying areas were enshrouded in fog. But the sun was breaking through. I found several marks including two along an abandoned railroad line. At breakfast, I ended up talking with my hosts about the old railroad, an abandoned village, and the covered bridge that they were trying to preserve (she was on the historical society for the town). Could it have been more memorable with some one there? Possibly. 5. Stuck here - perhaps we need a regional get-together so I can meet some in person! The problem is that I haven't even been able to go to more than a couple geocacher meets either, so there goes that idea! Maybe BilboB for having similar feelings about the area mentioned in 4 (see Photo Contest 1); mloser to trek marks in PA; or anyone with a special affinity for historical factories and the like.

Why I Would Use Waymarking.com I'm always interested in learning new things, so anything that gets me to a new place or gets me to learn something new about a familiar place, great! Yes, I'm one of the few that actually stops and reads those historical signs by the side of the road or on a building. I actually stop and look at an unusual fountain, or trace the remnants of an old canal, or look at a factory building that has been remade into a residence. As a child, my family traveled to many parts of the country by car. Some of the places we stopped at were bonafide tourist traps, but some of them were real gems. Waymarking, I think, will be a lot like that, only I hope to find more of the 'gems' that way or go to the tourist trap and be prepared to laugh at how ridiculous it will be. In general, I plan to 'use' the site to learn about my community and country. Also, I plan to have fun along the way, too. I started looking at this site because there were indications that the benchmarks were going over here. I also was hoping that they would open up the locationless part of geocaching.com so I could manage a locationless cache or two. I might not be a 'heavy' user of this site. But I plan to contribute from time to time either logging waypoints or visits.

Thumbs Up! Especially for listing places where the public is allowed.

Thumbs Up! My concern is that clock towers are very common (more common than McDonald's???). This could become a rather large listing very quickly. Would digital clocks qualify or must they be dial clocks? Sundials on towers (I've seen them - can't remember where)? I'm not picking on it, just trying to define it. I would certainly advocate that some piece describing the clock (who built it, when built, some story about it) be part of the requirements. Photo, scanned picture/drawing should also be part of it.

Just to bring home the point about urls changing - a few weeks ago, Groundspeak was thinking of moving the benchmarking site to wamarking.com. For now, it is staying at geocaching.com, but there is no guarantee that it will stay there even for another year.

Thumbs Up!

Two thumbs up! I know some places, here.

Thumbs Up! I just learned something about New England aviation history at a small municipal airport. There is another place that has been turned into a park with a rich history in aviation.

My usual 'Thumbs Up.' (they should create an emoticon/smilie with this). Town halls I think were proposed as a category and are worthy as well, as a separate category from this one. We have more than 50 states (yes, I know this was meant to apply to states of other countries, but bear with me)? Well, in fact we sort of do, if we include Washington, D.C. and the territories. I would include them. Yes, as sub-categories, there should be similar listings for states/provinces/kingdoms/republics/cantons/duchies within each sovereign nation.

I saw it as an opportunity for people to make suggestions and provide some preliminary ideas on how these suggestions would all fit together. Also, when all the transfering is done, then you could start grouping suggestions together and start adding categories starting with the most popular. I think that the suggestions show that there are some hot categories, like historical signs, probably grouped/filterable by state. It also is a way to start thinking of how to manage these categories. I, for one, would love to volunteer for the Massachusetts signs, maybe volunteer for several New England states if they aren't taken, but I don't think that I would have the time to manage the whole category (I suspect that this will be a busy one). I like the 'committee' approach. A committee will help keep a category consistent throughout and better anticipate and deal with problems. I cringe at the suggestion about giving the committee the ability to overthrow the category manager. I would hope that serious discussion happens before then, and should involve Groundspeak (or designated volunteer) to mediate.

Brother Frog, I'll vote in the usual manner - two thumbs up!

Thumbs up! I know of a couple in my area.

Thumbs up - I have three in mind, already!

Thumbs Up! It has potential, especially the historical or converted ones.

Seems pretty general. Perhaps unusual places, such as 'reversing falls,' 'tidal bores,' or caves accessible only at low tide. Otherwise, all I would have to do is go to the coast and sit on the beach or dock.

The idea has potential. I'll vote "Thumbs Up." The MBTA ferry service in Boston Harbor has several stops, but none I would consider its 'home' terminal - so I guess I would just pick one (and someone else can pick another to list). Schedules change, though - perhaps a link to the ferry service site would be best. If there's isn't a website, then a scan of a schedule or a typed in schedule would be the next best. Potential places to visit via ferry would be good, too, such as islands, forts, parks, and so on.

Perhaps this could be narrowed slightly for intersections of known people. They don't have to be famous. It could even be yours or a friend's name. One intersection I know in Boston is Charles and Stuart [Charles Stuart]. By sheer coincidence, this name was the name of a man in Boston...but I'll wait for the category to be posted to tell the story.

I liked the 'pioneer' headstone or before the establishment of the [state/province/country] government ideas. I think there is a category established for those who were soldiers in the Revolutionary War (approx. 200 years or more). Another one could be established for Civil War soldiers (approx. 100 years or more). Oldest headstone in a cemetery came to mind, too, though that would take some research. I really like the idea of unusual headstones - I know of a place that has a lot of them!

I give it a 'Thumbs up - Go!' I'm still unsure how the categorizing scheme goes, but I'm trusting that this has been thought through.

My cut backs in benchmarking were due to changes in my personal time, but this weekend, I decided to 'stay put' instead of burning a tank of gas for a day trip. So, if I do any benchmarking or geocaching, it will be done closer to home.

I saw a listing for the US Mexico Boundary Commission, but I didn't see the US- Canada version: http://www.geocaching.com/mark/details.aspx?PID=QF0036 - International Boundary Commission. Unfortunately, while I found one, it is in poor condition - only the stem remains on the side of the building, which has characters embossed. Maybe someone else has one in good condition? Another one is the Boston Planning Board. There are many, but the vast majority seem to be on top of buildings (therefore, unreachable). I found one as a reference disk to another disk. Do reference disks count for this listing?