Steamie

I recently logged a find for a cache, that having read this thread, would probably grate some people. The cache consisted of a wooden hide concealing the container, logs and swag. Someone pilfered the internal container, but the hide was still intact. I posted two logs, one needs maintainance to alert the owner, and one found it, because I did find it. Just because it wasn't in pristine condition and the log and swag were missing doesn't, to me anyway, negate the fact that I found the cache. A lot of the ridicule on this thread has been tossed at logs similar to what I've just described. I guess it depends on what one is getting out of the game. To me the objective is (typically) complete when you find the cache, that's the moment that brings a smile to my face. If you've a pressing need to log a DNF because your pen is dried up and you can't sign the paper log, enjoy yourself, but I'd say your taking the game too seriously for my taste. If the cache owner disagrees with my 'found it' he can retract my smiley, I'll get over it, I still smiled when I found his cache.

We (my girlfriend and I) started Geocaching yesterday. Watching 90's tech on the History channel, Geocaching was mentioned in a factoid before the commercials. Having an iPhone 3G in my pocket, I thought "Hey, that sounds neat". I logged onto geocaching.com from my phone, created an account and found the nearest cache to be in the park across the street from our apartment. We got up off the couch and walked over to the park. We walked until our little blue dot was on our little red pin. We found ourselves standing in front of a piece of (ugly) industrial art. Within minutes we found a small magnetic box containing nothing more than a log book - we're hooked. We found two more caches last night with pin point accuracy - it was great. Tonight we went for another. Unlike yesterday, tonight's cache was under a heavy tree canopy. The iPhone got us close but not close enough. We have no doubt that during the day, with a little more time to hunt around in the bushes, we can find the cache with nothing more than the iPhone. I doubt serious hikers would be satisfied with the iPhone as their primary geocaching weapon of choice. On the other hand, if I didn't have the phone in my pocket, I wouldn't have started geocaching. I imagine that in the future we'll be getting a dedicated GPSr for planned hunts in the woods. For spontaneous geocaching though - I always have the phone in my pocket. Seasoned geocachers be warned; for better or worse, I would expect an influx of newbies with iPhones, especially if an app is released on the app store (I can't wait for an app). For our part; thanks for the great sport - we look forward to respectfully participating for many years to come - it's nice to be off the couch.