Gizmo & Brazin

It Works!

I know this has probably been asked a dozen times before, but I can't find an old post that I understand . Keep in mind, I am "computer technology challenged" . I want to use photos in my post. I don't have a web page of my own, which when I have tried to post a photo, it asked for the url location, or something like that. I have my avator, but I want to be able to post a pic. of things like my staff, my dog, etc. in the message area. Can someone walk me through it in plain english? Thanks in advance!

So if gift cards are good, what $$ amount is good?

Your wife may surprise you. My husband told me about "Geocaching" and I looked at him like he had a third eye. He really wanted to try it though, so for Christmas I bought him a GPS. He read the instructions and before long we were off. I was hooked after the first find. A couple of weeks ago he had to work on the weekend, so I had him show me how to use it, so I could still go. I also am having a blast planting caches. I kind of torn on which is more fun, finding them or hiding them.

If you are gonna go with fiberglass, you need to use epoxy based resin, not the cheaper polyester based resin usually used for autobody work and stuff. The polyester resin will eat the foam as well. Mopar is right. I worked for an epoxy & polyester manufacturer for 12 years and polyester resins will attack foam. Stick with epoxies. About twice the cost, but well worth it. If money isn't a big concern, consider a epoxy putty, like "SuperMend". Two parts, just mix and spread. You can also make your own putty by adding Cabosil to the epoxy resin and hardener. If you use a resin and hardener I recommend about a 6 oz cloth instead of mat. Easier to shape and work with. You can also add pigments to the resins so there is no need to paint (paint is ok, but will chip over time). A good universal coloring additive is the straight base stuff that get's squirted into your base paint to color it at the local paint/hardware sture. Good Luck!

Now what if you arrive at the cache, and some generous person has left a really cool handheld video game (perhaps with a retail value of $12.95). Don't you think that the person who left it would love to think about the looks on those kids faces, when they find that in the cache and are told they are allowed to take it in trade for the thoughtfull dollar store item they bought? Are you going to let them take it? Actually, we are blessed. If that happened, we would leave it. It's an item easy enough for us to go and buy, after they do a little yard work for me to earn the money. If they decided to "throw a fit" about not getting the item, that's an easy fix too. No more fun day trips with Auntie Giz. I am believer in letting kids know the the rules and expectations. Again, I am blessed. I have yet to be disappointed.

Just a few more things to think about: I recently cleaned out (as in cleaned, not stole) a cache in the woods, which had several broken toys. I bet they were fine toys when they were first placed there, but over time, they fell apart and were left there. Add this to what were probably nice (at one time) trading cards and other cardboard type items (which had gotten soggy and now resembled paper mache) and the contents were less than stellar. I removed the broken items, wiped out the contents and placed everything in a large baggie to protect them. I am now taking the items I use for trade and have bagged each one in a zip lock bag. This way, if the contents do get wet (or should I say when, we do live in the Pacific NW) they are protected. Likewise, if a toy or item breaks, the bag is easily disposed of with out making the entire cache look like trash. I even took the McDonalds Gift Certificates I sometime leave and bagged them. Also, I plan on taking out a couple of younger kids this weekend. I will be stopping at the dollar store (Ours have some cool stuff, especially for kids) and giving them each a couple of bucks to buy items they think are nice to trade. That way they won't have to start with an older or broken toy. A small investment on my part, but I want them to learn that this isn't the place to "get free stuff" and that's is important to leave something nice to surprise the next person. (No expired coupons, or coupons in general, and no broken McToys.)

Thanks Cheesy! I was even able to follow along and add stats (as un-impressive as they are) to my page. You're the best!

Thanks. Got the photo's added, now just waiting for the approval. I hope it goes through tonight so we can get weekenders looking for them.

I have been working hard for two weeks to find and hide a couple of cache's. Having done that, I went to the online form to post them and had a couple of photo's of the general area I wanted to post as well. I can't find where to do that. I entered the description, way points, etc. with no problems. The cache's are in the review stage, but I still want to add a photo. Where did I go wrong? Can I still add photos?

I (Gizmo) was Navy active duty 1979 - 1983. For me, it was one of the best experiences of my life. I was stationed in Atsugi, Japan. Got to go TAD to Okinawa and the Philippines. All places I would probably never have seen if not for the military. But now my daughter is the age I was, when I went in. And as much as it was a good thing for me, I am glad she has no interest in joining. I would be so worried if she were to enlist. I now understand now how hard it must have been for my parents to stand behind my decision for their only daughter to join the Navy. Then there's my son...almost 18 and wants to go into law enforcement! What's a mom to do!!!

I am sure I need help in this area then. What is the correct way to hold a GPS? I have tried over my head, way out in front, to the side.....

From the Geocaching FAQ page: Does Geocaching.com (or a volunteer) physically check the cache before approving it? We wish! We'd love to head out to all those countries and states to check on each and every cache to ensure that they are placed properly. Based on the growth of the sport, however, this would be impossible. If you're not sure about a cache, wait for someone else to check on it and report back to the site. Before a cache is posted, volunteers check the page for innacuracies, bad coordinates, and appropriateness before posting the cache to the site. Hope this helps! --Gizmo

Thanks! That is EXACTLY what I needed. Much easier than all the reading and note making I was doing. Off to hide caches tomorrow......

I have a couple of caches ready to hide and have some ideas on where to place them. I know there are guidelines on placing caches too close to others and I am trying to get some places where there aren't any caches already. Is there an easy way to tell before I place one and submit it with the coordinates, if there is already one in the area? Many times the caches have a name that have nothing to do with it's location, ie: "Terry's Treasure" which could in reality be Meadowdale Beach. (Just examples). I have read the caches in the zip code area I live in and I *think* I have picked places that don't already have ones hidden, but is there a easy way to tell for sure? Thanks, Gizmo