Half-Canadian

LOL Dick!!

Dick, You are just a pure delight. Congratulations on your anniversary, your 49th state, and your amazing milestone. I'll be waiting to hear how that Roadtrek handles the AlCan Highway. Laurie

I will check and see if we can set up a separate fund balance within the WSGA coffers earmarked for Cache Machines using our paypal account. That way if people want to contribute, they could just send some bucks via paypal into the slush fund for future needs.

Inexplicably, the head count was much lower than expected and the deficit was significant. We took up a collection to make up the difference, and those in attendance were eager to help and generous as well. In very short order we had enough because nobody there was going to let Travis get burned. I've said it many times and I'm saying it again - geocachers are the best people in the world. To those who responded that they would attend the dinner but didn't show up - the rest of the attendees paid for your dinner. You do the math - 25 or so people short of the minimum promised to the restaurant at $15 each. I seem to remember that the head count of those who said they'd attend the dinner was somewhere around 100, but only about 60 actually attended. I'm sure some people had a good excuse, but that is really disappointing. Big thanks to Caching Cowles Clan, hydnsek, and Shop99er for helping with the collection, and thanks to all who contributed. Is there a suggested method of paying a share of the deficit for those of us who didn't attend the dinner, but had indicated our intention to attend at some point during the planning process? I would like to contribute my share but I don't know who to give the money too...I'm sure others are wondering the same thing.

Official count was 57 and 5 or 6 kids. I am baffled at how few showed up after the high number of reservations. Travis, If you are out of pocket anything for the no-shows, please let me know. Since I bailed out at the last minute, I wouldn't want to think that you had to cover for my dinner. Laurie

Congratulations on a most amazing milestone, Cathy! And how great the weather cooperated for you there today -- looks like a fantastic place for a special cache milestone!!

The WSGA 48 North Chapter invites you to two upcoming events that you won't want to miss! On Saturday, September 29 in Burlington, A Geo-Roast for Square Bear!, where we'll chow down on Alfy's Pizza and take turns roasting Square Bear before he relocates to the Chicago area later this month. Bring your best stories about Ray, his caches, kilt, Jeep, or other unique qualities to share with the rest of us as we send him off in geo-style. Then on Saturday, October 13, you won't want to miss Rest In Pieces, another family-friendly event in Sedro Woolley. Teams will head out to collect bones that have been distributed around the area, then return to reassemble the skeletons for fun and prizes. You won't want to miss out on either of these great events, so mark your calendars now!

I have an ice axe that you are welcome to borrow...just have to figure out how to get it to you.

Thanks Pye Wow, how did that slip under the radar! Congrats, friend! I remember when you found your first

Ahem ... not to make light of the destruction in Peru, but for those of us that live on houseboats thanks a lot for a sleepless night tonight, Jim!

Well, there's the statewide weekend campout event in Port Townsend for starters... 2007 WSGA Campout Extravaganza

In order to allow time for the campout planning committee to complete their pre-campout preparations, the online pre-registration for the campout will be closed as of tonight, August 13. You are still welcome to make plans to attend the campout, however you'll need to plan on paying for your campout registration at the sign-in table when you arrive on Friday (or Saturday) . The weather looks good for the weekend, we've got a great program of activities for all ages, prizes galore, good food, and good company. Hope to see everyone there!

The fairgrounds has assured me that they would be able to accommodate any size group -- I initially gave them an estimate of 20 RV's and 30-40 tents but they told me if more came they would just keep expanding the area that had allocated for us until everyone had a spot. No one else is booked in the group area for that weekend.

Please take a minute to read over the cache page and recent notes posted regarding the campout -- there have been a number of important announcements and updates posted in the past week or so!

Old Country Buffet worked out really well for the Spokane Cache Machine. It looks like they have several locations in the south King County area. Just make sure that you choose one that lists "banquet rooms available" and not the smaller "group dining". You'll also need to phone in advance and make a reservation for their banquet room. There's no charge to use their banquet rooms, each person can pick what they want to eat, and everyone in our large group gets their food at the same time.

For people like me who is going to have someone else pick up their cans -- (whoever ends up doing it I owe you big time!!!) -- how shall we get the money to you for our purchase?

I've updated the cache page again with a sign-up list of various tasks where we'll need helpers during the weekend, including manning the registration table, cooking, and helping with the kid's fun and games, along with other chores. Please visit the cache page and check out the list, then post a note to the page indicating where you'll be able to help out -- many hands make light work! Thanks in advance for everyone who will be able to help make this campout a successful event!

The 2007 Summer Campout Page has been updated with lots of new information, and a photo gallery of the campout coins and pins, as well as a sample t-shirt from our new WSGA gear store. Check out the updates, and be sure to make plans to attend the campout if you haven't already -- it promises to be the best yet!

Bump! The campout is just over a month away, and promises to be the best yet! Please be sure to register now, using the paypal link HERE or on the campout's cache page. Your timely registration will let us know how many people to plan for in organizing the various activities we will have available for you to choose from. Your registration fee includes a custom enamel campout pin, goodie bag, and Saturday night dinner. There are also limited-edition event coins, trackable on geocaching.com, that will be available for sale at the event -- only $5.00 for members, $7.00 for non-members. Don't like the idea of camping? If you're in western Washington, come on over for the day! Hop on a ferry, join us for a day of fun and a great dinner, and catch a moonlit ferry ride back home afterward. FAQ: Q: Do I need to be a WSGA member to attend the campout? A: Absolutely not -- everyone is welcome...although we'd love to have you join the WSGA! Q: How do I pay for my camping spot? A: You'll pay for your camping fees at the WSGA registration table when you arrive at the campout. Q: Are families welcome? A: Absolutely! We'll have 'smores around a bonfire to welcome everyone on Friday night, and have special activities and prizes planned for kids on Saturday after dinner. Q: Are there bathrooms available? A: Yes -- there is a nice restroom building right next to our camping area, with free hot showers available for campers. There is also a free RV dumpstation onsite. Q: What about cooking meals? A: We will have the use of a building with commercial kitchen and plenty of tables and chairs for the weekend for the Saturday dinner and the Sunday morning pancake breakfast. Any other questions? Post them here and I'll add them to the list. Hope to see everyone in Port Townsend next month! Half-Canadian and Scooter the Wonder Dog

I see that the Barnabirdy(s) just sailed through 3,500 on Thursday somewhere in 48 North country! Congratulations to Al and Koko!!

Trying searching from GCRC5D, the Vancouver Travel Bug Hub. That's fairly close to the centre of the city.

Thanks, Jon, for updating us on the status of things there. We're all grateful that relatively little property damage took place, and especially for the lack of injuries.

Hi, Be sure that the company that you rent your camper from permits you to drive on unpaved roads. Some of the rental companies do not allow driving their vehicles on gravel or dirt roads, except in established campgrounds. They charge large penalties if the vehicle is driven off pavement. I rented a motorhome from one of the large companies (Canadream.ca) at their Toronto location a couple of years ago, and it was equipped with a tracking device that recorded where I drove the motorhome during my trip. They transferred that information to their computer on my return to verify that I did not break any of their rules before my deposit was refunded. So be careful -- they do check these things! Have a great trip, you will be here during the best of our summer weather.

I'd be willing to spend $100...that being said, remember that there are various fees and taxes associated with the sale. If your winning bid is $3.50 each, adding those fees plus transportation costs and an allownace for dented/unuseable cans could put us at close to $5.00 each for a final price -- not much of a deal.

Look what's coming up as the banner ad for this thread -- LOL!