BooBooBee

OH! Well, THAT explains it! I didn't really get what these signature cards were for. Didn't know people traded them. I thought they just piled up in the caches (which is what's happenning around here...caches full of fraying cards left too long). Thanks for filling me in!

I like the alternating colors, Jeremy, and the fact that they aren't super bright. Just a subtle dividing line to separate the listings. Great idea and we can knitpick about the color choice, but what's the point? Let's spend that energy on creating really COOl camo for our caches! I like that the listing now has the quick reference to cache size, difficulty and location, (though I was fine with the alphanumeric reference to the latter). As for differentiating between the "mine" caches and the alternating colors, the great big arrow pointing to "mine" should be a dead giveaway. Whatever you decide to do, THANKS for putting forth the effort to make the site easier to use, more graphically appealing and always full of useful, easy-to-find information related to our addiction....er...ummmmm....sport.

I'm relatively new here, but so are many of the cachers in our area. I've been asking around about the L - travel bug, T- cool swag question. Those cachers here seem to think it's OK, but in the long run, several such trades could lead to an empty cache. While I travel with two small children, even they find caches that are full of SUCH cheap junk (and I don't mean inexpensive - I mean used up, worn out, thrashed, mutilated, beyond well-worn crap) that they don't even want to trade for it. But at least the 4-year-old now understands the idea of "fair trade" even if some of us (adults) don't seem to get it.. How do I spread the word (without offending, as only I - so clearly - can) that the cool-swag-for-travelbug trade isn't really fair? As for the original question...we're on a budget, too. But we don't want to leave junk. So, if we have nothing, we enjoy the cache for its location, TNLNSL. When we see great prices on good stuff, I grab several. (Recently I found pocket knives for an obscenely low price - I'm sure they were mismarked, but neither the checker or I verified it and we walked away with all that were available on the shelf. Good deal for me and cachers to follow). Garage sales have also been a source of some rather interesting (and inexpensive, though, again, not cheap) stuff for that special cache.

Thanks, all! (BTW: The top Ebay item is $1 for two .30 cans, but the shipping is $16 for the pair...I think I'll pass)

I'm all for another gathering, whether to discuss the name or simply talk geocaching while the kids enjoy another day together. However, Sundays aren't the greatest for us. It's our main family day, and there's the church issue. We attend in Orcutt and have other family traditions to which we'd like to attend Sundays. Any way we can make these gatherings Saturday? I'd even drive up to northern SLO County if we could make it the 25th.

You can make each stage a separate stand alone cache, each with a clue that gets you closer to the final. Each would have to all be listed on the Geocaching.com site and have a logbook. Of course, this would make them findable in any order, so this may not work for what you have in mind! Actually, according to WestCoastAdmin, you're both wrong. Unfortunately. I created a 10-stage "test" cache this week. Listed every stage seperately. Included log book in every stage as well as the coords for the next stage. WestCoastAdmin said he/she consulted with SoCalAdmin (I think that's the right name) and they agreed this type of cache was NOT withing the GC.com rules. Here's WestCoastAdmin's note to me: "It is obvious you have invested much time and effort in placing these 10 caches. There are just a few issues that we need to work on. Please bear with me! I have read your notes, and understand what you are trying to do. I have discussed these caches with the other SoCal approver, and we are in concurrence with the following; "A multicache is able to be logged as a find only on the final stage, not the intermediate stages. There is no distance guidelines between stages for a multicache. "The way that you have these set up is not as a multi-cache, but as puzzle/mystery caches. (#2 to #10. #1 would be a traditional.) There is a distance guideline for this cache type of 1 to 2 miles maximum, so this series would not be able to be listed as a puzzle/mystery type, since you mention they are spread over 39 miles. "I would strongly encourage you to consider making these 10 caches into one multicache. This would allow everything to stand, and a finder would be able to log ONE find for this series. Caches 2 thru 10 would be archived. Of course, you also have the option of making ten individual traditional caches where the posted coordinates are the actual cache location." SO, I archived stages 2-10 and posted this first multi- effort as a ONE find, as suggested. Weird, though, since I saw similar multi-stage caches with each stage loggable. (See the Peace Points, for example...I've seen others like this, but Bric's is the only one I can remember by name...I must relate with the intent of his effort!)

I had a few of these in my garage, but have run low. They date back a few years, so my source is long gone. Where do YOU get ammo cans on the cheap? (I like these containers best 'cause they're tough, airtight and already relatively cammo'd) I know about cheaperthandirt.com, but I don't find $19.95 PLUS shipping for six cans a really great deal. Then again, it's been YEARS since I bought cans...perhaps inflation over that time DOES make $19.95 a good deal?

Coyote and NightStalker - great solution...thanks! Will continue working this one up with this fresh new idea in mind.

Just learned that they'd have to be done as one multicache since they don't, by gc.com rules, qualify as individuals. But that's kinda a bummer. I suppose I'll put more work into individual caches rather than try this one at home. (Good idea to contact my local admin first...how does one find the local admin? Just click on one who approved a previous cache?)

Logistics were JUST fine until I REALLY started to get organized. Then alphabetical order threw me off! (Yep...ignorance WAS bliss!) For those who are into caching for the points, I'd like to list each of these stages seperately (See the Peace Point caches in Marin County, CA). But I'd like only to list the starting coords online, then supply ensuing coords on a cache-by-cache basis. (To find B, you've gotta find A, etc.) That way, there's still some degree of difficulty in completing the task and earning that 26th find in the series. I'm not lacking ideas for cache locations, but wanted to make it more fun than simply making a bunch of individual caches. Then again...I just finished paging through the cammo forum! WHEW!

Check out this thread...it includes caches of various sizes and, if not JUST what you're looking for, certainly will spark your imagination! http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=62421

Ain't that the truth!? My husband's eyes roll as soon as I turn to him with anything that VAGUELY resembles any sort of container...the latest - a dried chunk of seaweed. (He may soon confiscate my GPSr!)

OH...MY...GOD! I think I'll give up right now! How many times have I looked for a cache where such a container could have been used? COUNTLESS! I can just see me out there next time, in some historic settlement, checking every last friggin' nut and bolt, slab of bark, branch and leaf within a 40-foot diameter. All the while saying, "Just a couple more minutes," to dear somewhat patient husband and children.

Please don't take it the wrong way but, that's fun because......? OK...so I just found this topic and I'm having a BLAST looking through at all these FANTASTICALLY creative ideas! I just have to chime in here to say I think the sprinkler is a great idea. It could be quite funny if placed as such. Could be a downright challenge...which some of you CLEARLY find most entertaining. In RWillieK's defense, I also have to say -I- understoond he didn't mean to bury the entire container. Afterall, lying the sprinkler on top of the ground wouldn't really do...have to make a small divot in which to prop it so it looks real. I'm in the searches for the neat spots more than the caches. My girls are into the caches. But I've started hiding now...and there are quite a few other caching fans in our area who are just too good at the traditional hides. I'm looking to up the degree of difficulty! Found a great piece of sea....detritus that may soon find itself laden with a logbook, etc. But I fear no one will ever find it, or a bird will build a nest with it...or.... But then, I guess that's part of the game, too.

The first sentence that came to mind was the one we used to use to test typewriters: "The quick brown fox jumps over a lazy dog." Interested in seeing if there was a shorter such sentence I found the following, which I thought you might also find intriguing. "A pangram is a sentence that contains all letters of the alphabet. Less frequently, such sentences are called holalphabetic sentences. Interesting pangrams are generally short ones; constructing a sentence that includes the fewest repeat letters possible is a challenging task. However, pangrams that are slightly longer yet enlightening, humorous, or eccentric are noteworthy in their own right. By far the most well-known pangram is, "The quick brown fox jumps over a lazy dog." Frequently this is the sentence used to test out new typewriters, presumably because it includes every letter of the alphabet. Curiously, this sentence is often misquoted by changing "jumps" to "jumped." The past tense version, lacking an s, is not a pangram. Often, too, it is misquoted as "the lazy dog" rather than "a lazy dog." This error is not as grievous; the sentence remains a pangram, just a slightly longer one. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, there are no particularly clever 26 letter pangrams in English. Constructing a sentence that uses every letter of the alphabet once and no more -- essentially an anagram of the alphabet -- seems to require the use of acronyms, initials, and strange punctuation. The most interesting I've seen is, "Glum Schwartzkopf vex'd by NJ IQ." Also note the section on autograms, as that contains some autograms (sentences that self-document their letter content) that are also pangrams." http://rinkworks.com/words/pangrams.shtml As for maintaining the 26...well, they're all actually on well traveled routes for our family, so it's not a big deal to return to them now and again as needed. The only hassle, really, is PLACING them all at once...especially if they need to go in alphabetical order. We'll see what shapes up...

I'm working on a 26-stage cache to give our locals a bit of a challenege. I've already named each location on this 320-mile trek, but if I place them in a timely manner, I won't be able to place them in alphabetical order. Have thought of several ways to do this one, but can't seem to settle. Random thoughts - what do YOU think?: a) all 26 stages need to be completed to log the cache (Personally...I like to log each find, but how can I create a 27th cache for a "bonus log" and, without taking an AGE to keep track of it all, keep track of everyone's A-Z effort?) allow each stage to be logged, but list only the first coordinate with instructions to follow the cache path (with coords in each ensuing cache). If so: b1) must the caches be found in alphabetical order? Does it make any sense to do them out of order (except for the obvious sense of saving gas) b2) does it detract from the game or add to the intrigue if they are NOT placed in alphabetical order, but some apparently random order ('til you've found them all and discover the mystery shape) I'd like the "Z" cache (or final cache, which, if I do it by shortest mileage, would be the "F" cache) to have a great FTF incentive, too. Doesn't make sense to make big deal out of completing the 26-stage puzzle if one doesn't have to follow coordinate order...in other words, if I just list 26 sep. caches, what's the point? Do I make ANY sense?

Ummm...relative newbie here. I don't think there are any abandoned caches in my area yet (still seems relatively new here), but I'd be willing to take some on. While we COULD list them by name here, it's kinda tough to wade through the posts to find those near us. How about including the ZIP code or nearby city in addition to the name of the cache?

WOW! Thanks, all, for your responses! I'll keep watching the posts...between getting myself organized. See you on the trail!

And I thought I had too much time on MY hands! (Great one, OuttaHand)

Well, I've owned a Palm since 1995 (first I wished I'd bought stock, then I was glad I wasn't savvy enough to have done it). But I've only upgraded once - to a Palm IIIe. Will Plucker and all these other doodads work with it? Or must I upgrade again to avoid the paper? THANKS SO MUCH FOR ALL YOUR INPUT!

We finally posted our pictures from the gathering. Go to the Let's Meet Again cache page to check them out (and do with them what you will). I like Pacific Coast Cachers OR Pacific Coast Geocachers. Should have known Maasmen would have come up with THE answer.

Mi Espanol es malo y mi computador no es ni con accentos ni tildes. Lo sient! Buscando para ayuda con GC3153 "Where's in a Name" cache. Mi nombre translado a 26-62.66 Hay muchas locaciones que estan bien, incluyendo en Paraguay, Argentina, Chile y Mexico. Si ud. puede ayudarme, digame, por favor! MUCHAS GRACIAS!

This cache intrigues me. What a fantastic opportunity for a geography lesson. I'm working on GC3153 Locationless "Where's in a Name" cache. Check it out! My username translates to 26-62.66 Using 26deg 62.66 I come up with a long list of countries, including (Lat N) Mexico, Florida, China, India, a band across North Africa; (Long W) Greenland and Antarctica off the Weddel Sea; (Long E) Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Egypt, Sudan, COngo, Zambia, Botswana, S. Africa; (Lat S) Puraguay, Argentina, Chile, Western Australia. Can you help me complete this cache? We both get credit.

This cache intrigues me. What a fantastic opportunity for a geography lesson. I'm working on GC3153 Locationless "Where's in a Name" cache. Check it out! My username translates to 26-62.66 Using 26deg 62.66 I come up with a long list of countries, including (Lat N) Mexico, Florida, China, India, a band across North Africa; (Long W) Greenland and Antarctica off the Weddel Sea; (Long E) Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Egypt, Sudan, COngo, Zambia, Botswana, S. Africa; (Lat S) Puraguay, Argentina, Chile, Western Australia. Can you help me complete this cache? We both get credit.

This cache intrigues me. What a fantastic opportunity for a geography lesson. I'm working on GC3153 Locationless "Where's in a Name" cache. Check it out! My username translates to 26-62.66 Using 26deg 62.66 I come up with a long list of countries, including (Lat N) Mexico, Florida, China, India, a band across North Africa; (Long W) Greenland and Antarctica off the Weddel Sea; (Long E) Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania, Egypt, Sudan, COngo, Zambia, Botswana, S. Africa; (Lat S) Puraguay, Argentina, Chile, Western Australia. Can you help me complete this cache? We both get credit.