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hudsonfam

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Everything posted by hudsonfam

  1. the quick answer is yes.... we do with a tom tom rider 2. and 3 things to look for if you have not already.... number 1: is make sure your tom tom is set to read the same style gps coords. for instance.... w86° 45.345 is not the same as w 86.45345. which is what our tom tom was set to and gave us fits the first day out. b: tom tom is designed to assume you are on the road, so if you are close to a road... it will make its own adjustment and place your indicator there, even if you are 40 feet from it. last: tom tom is designed to assume you are not walking, so at times you must move at least 5mph for the tom tom to update or register movement on your part. this can be really annoying in the woods when you have to sprint for a short distance because you have moved 50 yards since the last update. 4th: make use of other tools like google maps, click on satelite when your map is on the screen, this will give you a satelite view of the location and most of the time you can get a very respectable zoom on the location. we are just starting too, but just like with alot of adventures use all the tools available to you at first to cut the learning curve and as you get better, use fewer tools to increase the challenge. -d of the hudsonfam
  2. I like them so much I checked your profile to see what general area you are from. Darn! Planning to come to Indiana any time soon? Mrs. Car54 That's so funny. I did exactly the same thing (thinking darn, she's in Mass.) and I'm in Indiana, too.
  3. Well, I suppose spending $500-$600 to catch someone stealing a <$50 cache isn't any crazier than using billion dollar satellite technology to find a <$50 cache. Maggots..... -K
  4. and you call me evil???? lol i like the direction you are going with this. ok, let me throw this in. maybe a "series" of themed caches, with some of them being a multi, to help keep certain steps in order. with a piece of the final puzzle in each stop. however you must have all of them found to put together the puzzle that leads to the final. -d
  5. Thank you for the replies so far. Here's a few more details in response to some of the comments made so far. 1. Why? Because it will be based on a favorite movie of mine and it will be an adventure, collecting clues from each step to solve the final puzzle and, essentially, "save the Universe." 2. I would like people to go through the series in order. Getting to step #4 before #2 wouldn't make a whole lot of sense. How can I do that if it's not a multi-cache? Is there a way to prevent people from skipping steps? 3. There's no specific reason for me to spread them out over a large distance except that I would like for this to be something that people have to work on for a bit and enjoy the adventure. Rather than making finding the actual cache difficult, I would rather make the puzzle to get there more difficult. 4. I am also not sure that I know of one area large enough to accommodate all 6 or 7 steps without overlapping pre-existing caches, which I know is not allowed. Still thinking. I realize I may not get as many people who want to attempt this one, but the P&Gs are a dime a dozen around here and for those few who really enjoy a good adventure (like we do!), I think they deserve something more involved. Our family recently finished stage 2 of a 3 part multi and it's one of the most enjoyable cache hunts we've been on. We're super excited to get out there and finish it this weekend!
  6. I won't deny that we like the smileys, because it's evidence that we have succeeded and they especially feel nice to look at after an unsuccessful day of caching. However, the adventure and the hunt are what we get the most out of, especially as a family. If it were all about the smileys, then each family member would have their own account (so everyone would get their own smiley) and we'd all be fighting over who actually finds the cache. That doesn't matter. It's a team adventure - we hunt as a team and we celebrate as a team. As we're becoming more experienced, we're finding that the puzzle caches and multi-caches are our favorites, because it adds an extra challenge and even more adventure to the game. We also prefer more rural areas. It may take longer to find each one, but it's a lot more fun trudging through the woods and finding a well hidden cache under a log than it is to walk up to a phone booth and grab a hide-a-key.
  7. I haven't placed a cache yet, but I'm working on getting it together. I would like it to be a multiple step process - from what I'm thinking so far, it would be a total of 6 steps. Maybe 7. I've seen some similar multi-stage caches in my area listed separately, and then some send you to 2-4 locations on the same cache listing. Which do you think would be the best way for me to handle this? Are true multi-caches usually in the same general area? If I want to spread them out, should they be listed separately? And if I list them separately, should there be a "cache" reward at each one, or is it ok for it to simply contain coordinates to the next step? I'm interested in 2 kinds of answers: 1: which is the proper way to handle this and 2: which way the typical geocacher would PREFER to do a multi-cache like this.
  8. I think QVC gave Lock & Lock their beginning push and now they sell tons of various sets.
  9. That's a really good question, but I wouldn't want to hijack the original poster's thread. Would you mind re-posting this as a new discussion? I would love to see what others think. And now back to our regularly scheduled discussion..........hehe
  10. Keys to a new Corvette would be nice This is really debatable and something a lot of geocachers disagree on since we all like different things. My family likes finding the signature items more than anything else, some like collectibles, and some want to find the cute little toys and stuff for the kids. If everyone would just follow the "trade even or up" rule, each cache should contain enough of a variety to make everyone happy (providing it's large enough to handle at least 5 or so items.) If it's your cache and you want to know what to start it out with, throw in a variety of items. If you're just trading on someone else's cache, trade up or even and the actual object shouldn't matter.
  11. 1. Make sure your iPhone is "speaking the same language" as the CO's coordinates. I know my hubby had to do something to our TomTom to make it search for the N&W coordinates properly. There are different types of navigation. Make sure your iPhone is searching properly. (I know you said that it got you to GZ just fine, but you don't REALLY know that 100% unless you checked the satellite maps ahead of time or actually found the cache) You may discover that you need a more accurate GPSr. 2. Choose easy ones to start out - level 1 or 2 difficulty at the most. And don't think we haven't been stumped by some of these "easy" ones, too. We've got a few 1 and 2 difficulty caches that we've had to DNF, but it does increase your odds. 3. Check the satellite hybrid on Google maps before you head out. That will give you an idea of the terrain you're heading into and look for some landmarks that let you know that your iPhone is, indeed, sending you to the right area. 4. Learn to use your "geo-sense" - this is the tough part and it's something that gets developed better the more you practice. Some of the cache containers are tiny, camouflaged, and very well hidden. That's a good thing because it's what makes the hunt exciting and the find rewarding. We went out yesterday in the woods and found 3 caches we never would have been able to find a few weeks ago when we first started. We're starting to think like geocachers. 5. Especially if you're bringing the kiddos or a friend with you that you want to expose to the fun of geocaching, have at least 1 or 2 super easy caches in your itinerary in case the others go sour. Quick P&G, LPC, and phone-a-friend caches are almost always a successful find and can add a sense of accomplishment to an otherwise unsuccessful caching day. Don't give up! The more you do this, the better you'll get at it! And it really is a lot more fun when you triumph over a tricky clue and find something that was practically invisible. -K
  12. Have you thought of using an eyeglass chain or leash? I'm sort of guessing from your name that you're a man? If that's the case, I realize most eyeglass chains are rather "feminine" with pretty beads and stuff, but there are some plain chain ones, too. Amazon has several: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss?url=sear...amp;x=0&y=0
  13. heheheh....I like you! Welcome to geocaching! -K
  14. NRE....."New Relationship Energy" - applies to lots of things. -K
  15. So far, yes, and I hope we can keep it up. We love our video games, reading, and doing lots of crafts - all which involve sitting on our butts. On top of that, my husband and I sit for our jobs and the kids sit at school all day. If we actually "sat down" (pun intended) and calculated how much time we spend on our arses, it would be staggering. One of the many reasons we got into geocaching because we needed a reason to get out and be more active, more often. We're even going to try a streak just because it will motivate us to get out every day. But we're also trying to be careful not to go so "gung ho" in the beginning that we burn ourselves out. -K
  16. If I understood correctly, the OP meant that those particular coordinates would be "retired" as well, and a new cache would not be allowed to be placed there for a couple of years at least, in order to allow the environment to rest and recover from all the traffic. But by removing that cache, it opens up a new plot of possible land maybe an acre or so away.
  17. While most of your post sounded more like the typical "it's not fair" whine because someone else got to the "good spots" before you, I do definitely agree with the above statement about allowing the environment to rest once it has been visited frequently over an extended period of time. I hadn't thought of that before and I think it's a very valid point. Especially since some of our fellow GCers have proven that they are not inclined to "tread lightly" and some have caused considerable damage in some areas, as is currently being discussed in another thread. But, the rest of your post seemed to state that you're disappointed that someone placed a cache where you wanted to. Isn't the point to make caches available in fun areas to visit, no matter who placed them? If someone else has already provided that service to their fellow GCers (including YOU), great! This is where competition arises in this activity that really isn't healthy. It's not a me vs. you thing - it's supposed to be a we/us all working together thing. If you really search your local area, which currently contains less than 2000 caches according to your information, I hardly think you can't find any interesting or cool locations left to place a cache. You may just have to explore areas you've never been in and branch out a bit. During our short time of geocaching, we've already discovered 3 beautifully hidden areas that we never knew existed and wouldn't have if it hadn't been for someone placing a cache there. Everyone already knows about state parks and public areas - find somewhere truly unique! -K
  18. my simple 2 centablos. i think it was a good thing to down play what was left behind. we all know there are some very cool caches out there, some very interesting items, some very collectible items, and sometimes some pretty valuable items. my wife for instance has placed some handcrafted jewelry made from various semi precious stones, which have some real value.... but question.... do we want muggles everywhere of all ages and intentions, thinking that if they raid one of these they could wind up with some pretty cool schtuff? and if one has some cool schtuff what about the numerous others around it? do we really want them knowing they might snag an amethyst bracelet under a skirt in a parkinglot? or in an ammo can in the park there is a jade necklace? also note that this cache was placed for this news cast. it was not an existing cache and the cachers with the news crew were probably the ones who hid it in the first place. there are lots of things to think about. and when you view that news clip on youtube, its amazing how many geocaching videos pop up, from teens to adults to.... who let them have a camera.... via con queso and have a great chip hudsonfam don
  19. I don't know if it works differently than yours, but we've been using our TomTom Rider (designed for motorcycles, which does take some off-roading into account) and we have been really impressed with it. So far, almost every time it has led us to the cache DEAD ON. The only inconvenient part is that it doesn't acknowledge your movement if you're walking too slowly, so in order to get it to update your current location you have to jog a few feet and then back to where you were. We just look at it as a little more much-needed exercise. lol
  20. And now you're up to 14! Look at you go! Just don't burn yourself out and keep some of those nearby caches handy in case you ever decide to do a streak.
  21. I don't want to hijack the thread, but I had to say that I LOVE the idea of a haiku cache! I would be thrilled to search for a cache that I knew would have a log of haiku written by fellow GCers. I hope you don't mind, but I just might borrow that idea when I decide to hide my own!
  22. In your second sentence of the original post, you drew assumptions about the cacher's intentions based on information you admit you do not have. If they had kids, they must have taken a bunch of stuff and left nothing but a token. You don't know that. Wooden tokens aren't bullswag either. Perhaps to you, but not to many. We are most excited when we find one of those wooden coins in a cache! I would much rather have that than a trinket I could go to the store and purchase myself. The handmade, original items are our favorites!
  23. Your videos have been really enjoyable and VERY helpful to this newbie, so thank you! And Congrats on the TV gig! I don't have much experience with this but I've been leaving a lot of handmade jewelry as trade, some of which is worth quite a lot depending on the materials used. I make jewelry for fun and have tons left over just sitting around. I left a bracelet in an LPC the other day that contained about $50 worth of tourmaline beads. I hope whoever chooses it enjoys it. I leave nice loose beads (amethyst, crystal, black onyx, etc.) in the "micros" that most seem to feel aren't large enough for more than a log book.
  24. I think that less effort should be spent on figuring out who to blame and more on simply preventing it from happening. If a particular cache is inviting damage, it should be removed - period. Who, how, or why doesn't matter. This is why our environment is in the mess it's in - everyone's so busy pointing their finger in the other direction and waiting for someone else to clean it up.
  25. Well, I'll be darned. Added my address to the profile information and suddenly the "newest" option showed up. Thanks!
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