spinwebby
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Posts posted by spinwebby
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Count me in!!! Can we use the CITO Logo freely? I'd like to put the logo on stickers and stick them to the outside of regular trash bags, but in order to distribute them in the time allotted, we'll need to use our CafePress online store.
I think this is a fabulous way to demonstrate to the park services that we really do participate in cleanup activities for them.
BTW, National Trails Day is June 7th in case anyone would like to coordinate with that, too. Our regional event is on June 7th in Omaha.
SpinWebby
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Count me in!!! Can we use the CITO Logo freely? I'd like to put the logo on stickers and stick them to the outside of regular trash bags, but in order to distribute them in the time allotted, we'll need to use our CafePress online store.
I think this is a fabulous way to demonstrate to the park services that we really do participate in cleanup activities for them.
BTW, National Trails Day is June 7th in case anyone would like to coordinate with that, too. Our regional event is on June 7th in Omaha.
SpinWebby
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If you don't ask permission, particularly in State Parks, you run the risk of geocaching being banned entirely from the whole state park system. Just ask anyone with the Minnesota Geocaching Association. If ONE ranger reports a bad experience to the bureaucrats, they'll rush a policy through that bans geocaching.
If you do ask permission, and the rangers are aware of the cache and participate in the activity, you will likely gain support that will help you establish a good policy for geocaching in the parks. The more they are aware of the activity and experience geocaching themselves, the easier it will be for other parks to accept the activity, too. Ask the Ozark Mountain Geocachers who met with Arkansas State Parks authorities in January. They were able to encourage supportive rangers to appear at a hearing with geocachers and present the positive side of geocaching. Together, they worked out a responsible geocaching policy for the park system and one that doesn't overly consume park resources. In addition, they were able to establish a reasonable permit process that limits the number of caches that can be hidden in a single park as well as clearly identifies the cache as "approved".
I'll try to get a copy of the final policy for Arkansas State Parks and post it.
SpinWebby
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Let me see if I can find anything out about him/her.
I love a puzzle and that TB has been too far to get lost now.
SpinWebby
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Yep, we are all set. Please come early and enjoy the exhibits at the Science Center and I've learned that they have a banner for the families of the Columbia Astronauts that you can sign while you are there. I don't know how long it will be there, but I'll ask that something be there for us to express our condolences.
We'll meet at 2pm in the Challenger Briefing Area at the Science Center. Please register at the www.gpgeocaching.com site so that we'll know how many people to expect and possibly split up if we are overwhelmed.
Hope to see you there!
SpinWebby
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Our TiVo recorded the 7 episodes and somehow missed the final one. I would love to borrow a copy, too, that is, unless its coming out on DVD soon, in which case, I'll buy the DVD set.
SpinWebby
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Please send me the names and email addresses of supportive rangers along with the park where they work. I'm compiling a list of them in order to be able to call upon them when we do gain audience with policymakers. Their support is crucial.
SpinWebby
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Not to worry about Iowa...
Great Plains Geocaching is in contact with Iowa state officials and they have confirmed that there is NO policy at this time. They ask that geocachers (follow the policy of gc.com/Groundspeak) and contact the park manager or ranger for permission. GPGeocaching completely concurs! ALWAYS ASK PERMISSION!
We will be coordinating the effort to establish fair use policies with Iowa (as well as other states) and will attempt to post notifications on the gc.com discussion boards, but we also have our own mailing list on www.gpgeocaching.com. Please sign up to be a member (free) to be included on our email list.
Please be courteous to park officials at all times, too. Its very helpful for them to learn first hand, that geocachers are nice people, and not hostile.
THX!!!
SpinWebby
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There is a group forming in Central Iowa now and its not me. GPGeocaching never intended to be "local".
Anyway, I rec'd the following message from an Iowa State official...
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Jennifer,
We do not have any information/policies on geocaching at this time. Given its apparent increase in popularity, we may have to establish specific policies in administrative rules in the near future. Until that time, I want all geocaching activities to be coordinated and approved by park staff and their respective district supervisor. Nothing should be hid or placed in a state park without the knowledge of the local park ranger or manager.
I'll be glad to visit with you if you would like more information.
Thanks for contacting me,
Kevin Szcodronski
Interim Chief, Iowa State Parks
Phone: 515-281-8674
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I've offered to help establish mutually agreeable rules that help protect the land, but still allow geocachers to enjoy the parks. I'll stay in touch with him. But for now, the rule holds.... CONTACT THE PARK RANGER/MANAGER FOR PERMISSION TO STASH!
Hope that helps Iowans! Still working on Minnesota. The climate there is not good. We'll let things cool down a bit and then make another attempt. Please collect email addresses of supportive rangers and send those to me. We'll need their help to recover in Minnesota.
SpinWebby
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I'll be contacting the Iowa DNR and associated agencies in the next couple of days to request a hearing.
SpinWebby
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I'd much rather have stinging nettles. As long as you wash them off, it clears up very quickly. My son got into some and broke out instantly with tiny little pimples. When we got back to the car, I gave him some Children's Sudafed and we rushed to the nearest bathroom. After we washed him off with soap and warm water, he was fine.
I always heard that you should use cold water to rinse off the poison ivy oil. If you use warm water, you'll spread the oil. But you have to catch it within 5-10 minutes of exposure. After that, there isn't much you can do, but treat the itch as best you can.
SpinWebby
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Well, considering that gc.com and Dan's site are completely independent, offering another $5 to gc.com for Dan's geocaching site is, well, inappropriate.
As Jeremy said, they are "x" and Dan is "y". One has little to do with the other. Dan has been providing stats without reimbursement of any kind. Thats not to say that wont change or that he doesn't deserve it. He should be rewarded.
The good news is, Dan's site should be running again now. There is some loss of data, but we are discussing how geocachers can help get them cleaned up and back in good condition. You can submit your lost logs on his site now. Its becoming more than one person can manage, so with everyone's help and support, hopefully it'll work out for the best.
On the issue of the thread closing, I too was taken aback, but then found my post on another thread. I was none too pleased either, about Jeremy's response... a link to the other thread would have been fine (with the thread closed)... but my first reaction was quite violent, I must admit, when I thought my post was deleted. It took some effort to find it. But I've recovered now, and moved on. Jeremy IS quite busy, in case you didn't know. Lets help him out.
SpinWebby
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I think its a fantastic idea, too! If you want to eat while chatting, I'd suggest Ryan's Steakhouse on 86th in Clive. But the Science Center has offered up meeting space just about anytime we want, for free.
In the works though, Great Plains Geocaching is already working with the Science Center to develop a program around careers in GIS/GPS. We are still waiting on final word of when, but we've been lining up people whose work involves either GIS or GPS. It fits in with their new exhibit "Eyes on Earth" where they'll demonstrate how satellites provide us with lots of information all the time. Its a fantastic travelling exhibit and I'll try to find the URL they provided about it.
Anyway, point being, feel free to line up something more informal, but just know that we are also working on the Science Center thing and we'd hope you'll come to that, too. There's certainly enough time this winter to do both!
SpinWebby
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Yep, the Coasties had sent me a message earlier that they were planning to be here from the 11th to the 20th of January, but I haven't heard from them recently. They should be here now. I was kinda hoping to meet up with them for dinner or something.
SpinWebby
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Its my understanding that things are being worked out. We have a number of people that are volunteering to help and we have had communications with Dan, but gc.com is not responding to us. I hope its because they are in heated negotiations.
Funny thing, geocaching has LOTS of techheads.
SpinWebby
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Originally posted by Egnix:
_I_ understand how it's supposed to work. I was pointing out that the very first logger was clueless.
QUOTE]
I do take offense, actually. Someone comes up with a great idea that can be a great project for kids and I'm going to do all I can to help make it work, rather than immediately tear it down.
Obviously, there are inherent difficulties with any new game. Caches could be boobie-trapped, too, but I don't see you posting that on every forum.
I don't see anything with this game that can't be or hasn't already been worked out. This forum is to help people rather than chew them out. I don't really care about winning, but just tracking progress of the different bugs. It'll be great fun.
SpinWebby
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Do you suppose its time for another trek? You know, with all the GPSRs us geocachers are giving as Xmas gifts and all?
I personally prefer to go geocaching in the cooler weather. And its been a rather mild winter so far here. (I write that as the snow gently falls outside... geez, its nice to see it. I wish I had a window at my desk.)
As for great caches in the Des Moines area... Quest for Gilligan is one of mine and seems to be a favorite, but I need to go check on it. It might have gone AWOL again. Also, the Browns Woods caches are popular.
Use the zip code 50309 for downtown Des Moines and 50265 for West Des Moines. Tecmage is correct, there are lots of caches right around the Water Works park area and I highly recommend the Ashworks one. Its off the Riley Trail and you'll be more likely to find wildlife there (if you tread lightly).
Drop me an email if you are interested in a trek. (For those of you unfamiliar, a trek is a group caching event, most often for newbies, but a good social activity, too.)
SpinWebby
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I invited a rep from the City of Omaha and some people from Mouth of Platte, so there might be a couple more people coming. The City rep called me this morning and apologized, but she's sick. She had wanted to come. And I rec'd a note from one person from MOP, so they might have a couple. Anyway, they just wanted to hear about the Cache Bash plans and may be interested in helping out, too.
Just a quick update... we are hitting the road now.
See you in a bit.
SpinWebby
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I don't plan that far ahead as to what I'll wear! But I should have a yellow Gx bag in hand.
SpinWebby
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The Iowa State Extension Service has received a grant to offer GPS kits to schools in Iowa. The kit includes 10 eTrex GPSRs, compasses, protractors, maps and activities. In coordination with ISU Extension Service, Great Plains Geocaching is offering to locate volunteer geocachers to help with the activities and develop new ones.
If you are an Iowa educator and would like more information about these kits, please go to http://www.gpgeocaching.com/asp/FormWizard/Form.asp?f=1 to request more information about this program.
SpinWebby
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Garmin 76 To Garmin 76
in General geocaching topics
Posted
I can't help you on the 76, but the iQue should be able to do IR...(hypothetically anyway)
http://www.garmin.com/products/iQue3600/
Of course, its a substantial amount of dough and not available quite yet.
SpinWebby
www.gpgeocaching.com