Lost in it all...

This is scary...I just posted a reply to you on another thread, while you are over here doing mine.

*THUMBS UP* I have known I am crazy for years now...and have it in writing, too! But I do believe in this day and age, the term "normal" is almost impossible to define. With so many ways that a person can be considered different, what does NORMAL really mean? I would HATE to be called normal, that much I know. I LIKE being different! As for being a lunatic in regards to geocaching, I gladly accept the title, and will work to continue my part of the addiction going! Now, where did I put the next coords?

THAT, my friends, is what is wrong with most men . . . they want to meet naughty bad-girls. Why do you think Mopar was initially interested in me? He thought I was a 'ho . . . Now he knows the truth Happy caching and stuff! It's not a problem at all. I never dated prissy girly-girls. A woman can be feminine without being prissy. I expect women to get dirty, and to kill their own dadgum spiders Nothing's worse than camping with a woman who goes ballistic every time something natural touches her... ack the spider! ack the mouse! ack the snake! ack mud! I have actually met a few men who are surprised when I LAUGH at the fact that I have gotten dirty...and keep on going! As for being "dirty" - well...Mopar had to get to know Geo Ho to know whether she was the kind of girl he thought she was. I personally love the origin of her name, as intended to be a geocaching reference. Any man who wants to know about whether I like being "dirty" will just have to find out for himself! Prissy girl - NOT by a long shot! I am NEVER going to be considered high-maintenance, but still love being a woman and showing my feminine side. Then again, getting dirty and in touch with nature is so much fun...you SHOULD expect me to get dirty sometimes, often looking at those natural things. I have often held snakes and other creatures, so long as they are not poisonous. (Not too crazy about the spiders, though...but I am not likely to be screaming because of them.) I was just thinking about all the caching couples I know, and specifically about the qualities many of the women share...and ways they are different too. THAT would be an interesting thread all its own...

Congrats to all those success stories!! I started caching almost a year ago, and was introduced to it by my boyfriend at the time. I really enjoyed many of the activities that we took part in together, but caching was by far my favorite! We broke up months ago, and I have to say...I don't miss him much in the dating sense, but do regret losing my main caching partner. Like others have said, it really works well in a relationship when the other person enjoys the things you do. I have dated a little, and I am pretty open-minded about a lot of potential qualities in a person. At the same time, I am pretty selective about a few specifics, so I limit myself in that respect. (One of those specifics is that I want someone who at least enjoys the outdoors to an extent. Another is to give and take when it comes to the other person's friends and hobbies. It amazes me that so many men I meet only want me to do what they like, but never try something new.) I love new adventures, new experiences! It is one of many appeals to caching...so many doors yet unopened!! I would LOVE to date someone again who "gets it" and who thinks that a spontaneous caching run is a great way to spend time together. Or to meet someone who wants to know what it is all about, and gets turned onto it like I was. I would even at this point like to find more caching partners in my area. Maybe there is someone lurking in Houston that wants to help me cache in those places I won't go solo. Until then, I cache alone... smiling all the way!

I started caching almost a year ago, and was introduced to it by my boyfriend at the time. My family thought it was really strange at first...then I got my sister and her husband out there over Thanksgiving, and they are even better at it than I am! Overall, most people I encounter think it sounds interesting, but few jump up and want me to take them, to actually show them what it is. As for me, I am more obsessed, addicted, and willing to go looking than my ex-boyfriend is...which is why my find # is over twice his. (Not that I am keeping track... We broke up months ago, and I have to say...I don't miss him much in the dating sense, but do regret losing my main caching partner. I was reading the old thread about "Geocaching as an online dating service??" and am probably going to post there soon as well. Maybe there is someone lurking in Houston that wants to help me cache in those places I won't go solo. I would LOVE to date someone again who "gets it" and who thinks that a spontaneous caching run is a great way to spend time together. I would even at this point like to find more caching partners in my area. Until then, I cache alone...

I see many great lists of suggestions above. Here are some more I leave: ~Hand sanitizer (Found some 2/$1 at the 99 Cents Only & Dollar Tree chain stores) ~Small packs of Kleenex - BE SURE to ziploc these and anything similar ~Don't Mess With Texas pencils, sports team pencils, and other decorated pencils (Have wondered how those are going over - I try to leave in kid-friendly caches) ~Small metal ring Puzzles ~Neoprene can & bottle drink holders (aka Koozies around here) - $1 at Wal-mart ~Camo and log-filled micro container in ziploc, marked as Ready to Place Cache ~Batteries are about to be something I leave - they have saved me once! ~Extra ziplocs are something I leave when a cache seems prone to dampness...future cachers might need them (Got these at a Dollar store too!) ~LOTS of items from the Target Dollar Spot ~ IF you shop at Target, check out this area. It changes seasonally, and sometimes you can grab the clearance at 4/$1. I got ponchos, compasses, and carabiners at that price last year. But even at a buck, they have cool stuff. My latest finds there are water bottles, magic tricks for kids, software, and some fitness items. I have yet to develop a sig item, but now that I have cached a while, I really want to start leaving one wherever I go. Especially in my new hides... Lost in it all... I know I have more ideas for items to leave, but the advice to be on the lookout is great.

Just an FYI to confirm what someone said about hunting supplies going clearance... I am NOT usually a Wal-Mart shopper, but while returning gifts last weekend, decided to browse the Sporting Goods section. I found much of their hunting merchandise is being reduced, though some price drop percentages were more than others. I grabbed the last roll of camo tape and some reflective tacks. I may check another store near me for more of the rolls soon. (Regarding an earlier post about an suto parts store - REALLY???)

Thanks for all of the answers, ideas, and advice! I will keep an eye on this thread if anyone feels like sharing more...but those answers are what I needed to get my caches out in the best way possible. Lost in it all...

AUSTIN - Campers in Texas will soon be able to check e-mail or browse the Internet while they roast marshmallows around the campfire. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department on Wednesday announced a pilot program to offer high-speed wireless Internet to five Texas state parks beginning Jan. 1. The service will be free at first but it will carry a fee by the spring, officials said. The parks getting Wi-Fi are Choke Canyon State Park, Blanco State Park, Balmorhea State Park, Goose Island State Park and Ray Roberts Lake State Park. Park officials, working with Austin-based wireless provider TengoInternet, have been testing the service since early December. The Texas Department of Transportation is already experimenting with Wi-Fi hotspots at rest stops on state highways, the first state to do so. (Copied from the Houston Chronicle 12/16/04) Associated Press As for me, I don't have a laptop...but this makes one more reason to want one!

More questions for ya - 6. Fire hydrants...I have a couple of questions regarding using them as part of multi-caches. Inactive hydrants are one topic, and active hydrants in a neighborhood are the other. Are there rules somewhere regarding using markings from a hydrant (something that is already printed on it), or adding some sort of non-permanent tag or information? I do not plan in any way to move, deface, or alter them. In the case of the inactive ones, there are 5-7 in an area together that I have yet to look at up close. Any feedback from firefighters or a link to rules about them is welcome. 7. I have seen people mention waypoints or other info written on the back of a street sign with marker. This seems VERY inappropriate to me, bordering on graffiti. I am wondering about using something to attach info in a non-permanent way. Magnets come to mind first, I am sure there are other possibilities. So, would that be a no-no, or am I ok with something that blends but can be removed? (I do realize the potential for it to disappear - it would be VERY close to home, easy to replace if necessary.) 8. Do people take the distance BETWEEN multi waypoints into account as part of the diff. rating? I have seen multis that can be completed on foot, and those that are miles apart from one another. 9. Etiquette on wanting to use a creative cache idea that someone in another state has - my first thought is to email the owner and see if they would mind being copied. How do others approach this? 10. How difficult is it to edit a cache page after it has been approved and is active? One cache I have in mind, there is a great quote I plan to add to the description...but I cannot find it right now. I CAN wait to put the cache out, but thought that if I can add it later without much trouble, I would post it without the quote and add it later. (The quote does not affect the findability of the cache, more for info/entertainment value.) I think that is all for now. Any and all help or advice is always appreciated. The caching community and the forums make it so much easier - THANKS!! Lost in it all...

Thank you both, that answers my question perfectly.

I scanned 3 pages of search results with no luck in finding an answer, so forgive me if I am starting a new topic where one exists prior to mine. I am buying someone a GPSr for Christmas. I am curious to know if Microsoft mapping software is compatible with ALL GPSr, or if it varies by manufacturer? Thanks!

LMAO Yes, I do see that Robespierre has a point with # 5 on that list. Thank you for getting started and these great attempts at reading my mind! I love how helpful cachers are!! Let's start with eliminating the device advice. I have my MeriGold that I got for a steal, and am very happy with it. I know most of the basics (avoiding food or dangerous items, and being sure to follow property guidelines) but I have read things here that people cannot agree on. So here are questions or points I would like clarification on, or merely advice from more experienced cache hiders. I am sure I will have more, but for now... 1. Nails in trees....(I currently have no plans to do so, but have seen it done, and it will be nice to know for future.) 2. Waypoints for multi - I know the wpts WITHIN the cache are not subject to the 0.1 mi rule, BUT may I use a waypoint that is not the FINAL one if it is closer than 0.1 mile to an existing cache? 3. Offset caches fall within the multi category/icon, correct? 4. Small can/bottle of insect repellent - any reasons against it? (I live in Houston, have seen caches with them, but the heat concerns me.) 5. Best way to ensure accurate coords before posting? My Magellan MeriGold does do WAAS averaging, but I have seen people return on other days. I at least plan to walk away and return a few times. (I am typing this at work, and the list I have been making is at home, so expect more tomorrow.) Thanks in advance for any and all info, opinion, and advice not yet asked for... I THINK Lost in it all...

I have SEVERAL questions about cache hiding/placement. As I am preparing my first few hides, I have been reading as much as possible in the forums, which has actually led to MORE questions, some due to conflicting info. I have read all the OFFICIAL guidelines, but wish to post a list of questions I still have. Should I attach it to here, or an existing thread where someone has asked similar questions about the hiding aspect? Lost in it all...

WOW...there are more answers here than I expected - THANKS everyone! I also received information that gave me these calculations: A minute of latitude is equal to 1 nautical mile (remember this is different than a regular mile). A nautical mile is 6076.12 feet… So… 20 regular miles (5280 x 20) = 105600 feet = 17.38 nautical miles (105600 divided by 6076.12 = 17.38) So just add or subtract 17.38 minutes to your latitude and you should be good to go. I am not holding my breath on anything at the final site, as the last finds were done with a group, and they ALMOST gave up. I am not aware of further hints within the cache description, so now that I have this info, I plan to email or discuss it with the cache hiders, who I know. It is not something I am rushed for, now that I know how far away it is. It will be a cache planned as a trip soon enough. I have just wondered for some time about the general location...this is one that is "not at the listed coords" due to it being a puzzle, but comes up as one of my closest caches.....it TAUNTS me. Agreed 110% !!! Standing in the woods, questioning whether you are REALLY in the right place takes away from the fun of caching. It has yet to truly deter me and my addiction to the hunt, but I avoid it if I can. This is why BEFORE I head out almost an hour away for this one, I will want my calculations more precise than they are now, based on the variance already just from this discussion. But it may be weeks before I have to have that precision figured out. Thanks again for all the feedback, I will continue to work with the #s. If anyone cares to look at it and give more info based on the actual cache, I am referring to D.B. Cooper Jr., which can be found here: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...b1-07d03a0a03c3

I am not sure that this is the best thread to ask my question in, and am also posting this in another place, but here goes. I am seeking a cache that involves calculations dealing with a hypothetical plane trip, speed in mph, etc. I have gotten to the point where I know that I want to calculate a latitude that is approx. 20 miles true north from a given latitude. Is there somewhere I can look for mathematical ways to calculate this? Lost in it all... (even moreso today)

I am not sure that this is the best thread to ask my question in, and am also posting this in another place, but here goes. I am seeking a cache that involves calculations dealing with a hypothetical plane trip, speed in mph, etc. I have gotten to the point where I know that I want to calculate a latitude that is approx. 20 miles true north from a given latitude. Is there somewhere I can look for mathematical ways to calculate this? Lost in it all... (even moreso today)