Alan2

Actually its amazing that he was the first person that got searched. other cachers must have been there way before him yet they were apparently never stopped and interogated. If they were, than the Secret Service would have known about caching and alerted their staff to understand "we're" out there. What took them so long?

I use a pocket pc loaded with mapopolis which has the ability to accept waypoints overlayed over the streets. Full voice command, etc with off road use since it has compass rose, bearing arrow, distance to cache, elevation, etc. Add gpxsonar and you can use for paperless caching. Only problem is that it's not waterproof but you can get these proteective bags to put them in for about $20. I also have an old etrex Vista that I can use in the woods if the terrain is rough leaving the PPC protected in my pocket but avaiable for paperless cahing in the woods. You should be able to get a used ipac 2210 or 2215 for under $175 on ebay. Add $85 for a Sirf III GPS that slips into the PPC CF slot, 80-100 for Mapopolis and you're off and running. You can also get National Geographic Pocket topo for 24K maps in your PPC for real-time topo maps in your PPC (100 for your state). I use my PPC for business too (supports and syncs Outlook to my desktop with To Do's Contacts tels, calender, games, bluetooth, music, etc.) so you have other non-caching advantages as well.

A good virtual location could be combined with a hidden container by using a clue from the virtual site to give the coordinates for the actual cache location. And the container location doesn't have to be right next to the virtual location. For example, the Statue of Liberty, a container restrictive area, could be a cache where you get a clue from some questions asked about the statue. The answers give the coordinates for the actual cache that could be a micro (due to the muggles factor) hidden in Battery Park, Manhattan, a few minute walk to where you return on the ferry from Liberty Island after visiting the statue. I did something similar that was more involved that combined a driving tour and 2 mile hike, but the concept is the same. (cache) If you really like a place, be creative on figuring out how and where to hide the box. I'd consider doing this with the Statue of Liberty, but it's already a "real" virtual! Got in before the ban. On the other hand, in very large national parks like the Grand Canyon where caching is restricted and it would be too far to place a cache outside the park, I believe virtuals should be allowed. These areas are visited by loads of cachers and it would be nice to combine our visits with geocaching.

That's strange. I tried it again on the desktop and it worked!?!? Pleasantly surprised. I don't know what y'all said, but something happened. Thanks

I had same problem when I upgraded my desktop to XP. I finally gave up. Fortunately I still have a laptop with the serial connector and Win98 that I use to transfer waypoints then move data to the desktop. A little laborious but it works for me.

Arghh2006: How do you define a proximity alert in Mapopolis?

I use Mapopolis on my Pocket PC to navigate to the streets nearest the caches. It allows you to overlay all the caches onto the street maps so you can easily navigate from cache to cache. That might be one way to go if you have a PPC. However, since you have an expensive navigation system in the Tom Tom, can you see the streets nearest the cache on your GPS? Is your GPS have a mapping type? If it is you can then transfer the street info to the Tom Tom.

I did a multi that was basically driving to various bridges to get clues to provide the coordinates to where the container was hidden. However, one portion required hiking 2 miles to a bridge in the woods. The cache for everthing was rated 2 1/2-2 1/2 However, I modified the cache description as follows: SPECIAL for wheelchair confined or other limited cachers: If you cannot do the hiking portion, send me an email and I'll give you the answer for Camp 13 Bridge question. Without the hike, the bridges and cache are wheelchair accessible (a few feet of grassy incline at container location; a partner would be helpful) and rated 2 for Difficulty and a 1 for Terrain. There's no reason not to provide different levels of ratings on the same cache if the opportunity allows.

ammo can. Yup-that's what I did.

So how does this make you feel? I don't like micromanagement but then again it's their web page. Not much you can do about it except complain. Remember when not too long ago we all had a scale on the left that management would gage our forum posts and if they were not according to their standards you'd get a "demerit"? Too many demerits and you'd get banned by the forummeister. This is kind of the same thing. This is management trying to keep everything non-controversial because controversy is bad for business - their business. If a cacher places a cache that seekers don't like, they'll stop going to those type and stop visiting that particular cacher's hides. His cache visits will suffer. It's like MOC's. I wouldn't go to those even though I could. If people set up caches that turn some people off and turn some others on, then that's OK with me. Those interested in churches and religious itmes will go, other won't. Those interested in filling their containers with miniature staplers - some will be interest and some won't be. Why are religious themes singled out? What is it my business to judge what others are interested in? What's not interesting to some might be intersting to others. Or people will go and not trade. Let the market decide.

Taken from The Castle cache in Central Park, NYC.

The prohibition against caches of this type and other restrictions are not driven by cachers but by management who wishes to preserve "political correctness" - not to upset anyone. The rules also intend to not offend outsiders who might place restrictions on caching. This minimizes the number of people who might be offended and maximizes the number of dues-paying caching members. This is a business after all. The pros and cons of cachers are beside the point.

Great video. Nice work. Trevor's really cute. Sent the link on to friends and family. It does explain caching really well.

I think we should ban wildlife from around caches. I had one slash through the lid of my plastic container with his teeth. Ruined the cache. I had to drive a 100 miles to replace it. Very inconsiderate of him if you ask me. Well, maybe he was a she.

Thnaks-that's pretty neat. My Zipped filed had GUI1 not GUI2. It came from downloaded 1.3.2 Zipped version for my PC. Is there a later one I'm missing? Also, the output worked with and without the 3 digit extension. Alan

Here's me in my Buzz Off clothing. I've worn them through 15 washings and so far haven't seen any ticks. I picked the color to make them seen better too. Shirt and pants and note now the pants are tucked in geek like into the Buzz Off socks. I also have a Buzz Off hat but that's really geeky looking. (sorry, no pictures). My dog has had Lyme, Rocky Mountain Spotted fever and recently he picked up something they couldn't even figure out what it was. He was on antibiotics for three months and nearly died. I was thinking of having a tailor cut him an outfit including socks from one of the Buzz Off shirts. That way we both can look geeky.

OK I downloaded Babel. How do you use it? Can someone give me a example of the expression? Tks.

I've been using Buzz Off clothes. - shirt, longs pants and socks. I also have a hat but don't always use that. They're impregnated with Permethrin and good for about 25 washings. I haven't seen any ticks while using them. The clothes are pricey but if you factor in the repeated use of cans of Permethrin on regular clothes, it kind of equals out. Plus you don;t have to deal with the spraying as that's only good for two weeks plus the Buzz Off clothes are ready to go at all times. Permethrin is actually very safe. It's used in medicated shampoo for kids who sometimes spread lice, a cousin of ticks, in schools in their hair. The shampoo is also good for "crabs", but that's another story

Alan2, I do some beta testing for NG and will send your question to them, and see what they reply. Will, let you know .... Quick response! Hope this helps..... From TOPO.... Carl, I can't think of an easy way - but this is a good suggestion. We'll try incorporating some auto-conversion process in the export-to-PDA function for this. Thanks for checking with Topo. What really would be nice if NG would transfer the waypoints to the Pocket Topo maps. However, if converting them first to a "note" is the only choice, that would be better than having to do it by hand for each waypoint, something I have done a few times.

Anyone know a way to convert NG waypoints automatically to NG Notes so you can transfer them to NG's Pocket Topo for a PPC? Right now you cannot transfer waypoints, only notes so if you want a go to waypoint, you have to use the Note in Pocket Topo.

National Geographic Topo who supplies 24K quad map program (State Series about $90 for Arizona) allows you to trasnfer waypoint and see their maps on your PC. It also has a service called MapXchange People walk trails with their GPS's and supply the track/route waypoints to MapXchange. Below are the current trails. You can download to NG Topo maps for Arizona. Then you take all the cache wypoint and import them into the NG map so they and the trail waypoints are all shown. You can then print out the maps or transfer the waypoints to you GPS to follow the trails to the cache. Very neat! Arizona TOPO! Arizona Files created with TOPO! Arizona and TOPO! SYNC USA 2006 Arizona Game Management Units National Geographic Maps, 07/28/06 Hunting Harquahala Peak: Harquahala Pack Trail LocalHikes.Com, 02/01/06 Hikers Bear Canyon Along Catalina Hwy. LocalHikes.Com, 03/05/05 Hikers, Dogs Harquahala Peak: Harquahala Pack Trail LocalHikes.Com, 02/01/06 Hikers Bill Williams Mountain Trail #21 LocalHikes.Com, 11/10/04 Hikers, Dogs, Horses HoneyBee Canyon (North) Trail LocalHikes.Com, 07/16/03 Hikers, Dogs, Bikes Blacketts Ridge LocalHikes.Com, 04/10/05 Hikers Kennedy Peak LocalHikes.Com, 02/01/06 Hikers Cactus Forest Trail LocalHikes.Com, 03/05/05 Hikers, Horses Kentucky Camp Ghost Town LocalHikes.Com, 11/10/04 Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Horses Canyon Loop Trail - Catalina State Park LocalHikes.Com, 07/16/03 Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Horses Kofa Mountains: Signal Peak LocalHikes.Com, 02/01/06 Hikers Cathedral Rock: Esperero Trail LocalHikes.Com, 11/10/04 Hikers Lava Flow Trail - Sunset Crater Volcano LocalHikes.Com, 11/10/04 Hikers Cave Creek - Gardner Canyon Loop LocalHikes.Com, 11/10/04 Hikers McCleary Peak: Florida Canyon LocalHikes.Com, 11/10/04 Hikers Douglas Spring Trail LocalHikes.Com, 02/14/05 Hikers, Horses Mica Mountain: Italian Springs Trail LocalHikes.Com, 04/10/05 Hikers Escudilla Mountain Trail #308 LocalHikes.Com, 11/10/04 Hikers Phoneline Trail LocalHikes.Com, 03/05/05 Hikers Finger Rock LocalHikes.Com, 07/21/03 Hikers Pusch Peak LocalHikes.Com, 03/05/05 Hikers, Horses Finger Rock Canyon to Mount Kimbal to Pima Canyon LocalHikes.Com, 02/14/05 Hikers Sabino Canyon LocalHikes.Com, 03/05/05 Hikers, Bikes Garwood Dam to Douglas Spring Trail Loop LocalHikes.Com, 03/05/05 Hikers, Horses Silver Peak: Trail No. 280 LocalHikes.Com, 02/01/06 Hikers Files created with TOPO! Arizona only - Indicates file that requires TOPO! version 3.0 or higher to view. Get the latest upgrade >> Arizona Airports Andy DeBord, 09/19/00 Flying Mt Kimball: Pima Canyon Trail LocalHikes.Com, 12/02/03 Hikers Atascosa Lookout: FS Trail 100 LocalHikes.Com, 02/04/04 Hikers, Dogs Mt Wrightson: Old Baldy Trail LocalHikes.Com, 08/01/03 Hikers AZT Dale Shewalter, 10/21/03 Hiking, Long Distance Backpacking Nature Trail - Oracle State Park LocalHikes.Com, 01/06/04 Hikers, Dogs, Bikes Baboquivari - Hike to Lions Ledge LocalHikes.Com, 07/22/03 Hikers Nature Trail Loop - Catalina State Park LocalHikes.Com, 01/06/04 Hikers, Dogs Bear Flat Pancho Doll, 08/07/01 hiking, swimming noon creek to marijilda creek MONS lARSON, 02/13/04 Hiking and Camping Black Canyon Trail Pancho, 04/23/03 Backpacking/Hiking Phoenix Township and Range Data Source: National Atlas of the United States, 07/05/01 Black River Adventure Vern Baker, 10/27/03 Camping, fishing, hiking Phoneline Trail - Oracle State Park LocalHikes.Com, 01/06/04 Hikers, Dogs, Bikes Boulder Canyon Loop Shane, 08/02/01 hiking Picacho Peak: Hunter Trail LocalHikes.Com, 08/01/03 Hikers Buckhorn Wash Dagley Reeves, 01/28/03 ATV, Dirt Bike, 4WD or at least high clearance. Picacho Peak: Sunset Vista Trail LocalHikes.Com, 01/08/04 Hikers Canelo Pass to Patagonia Murf, 05/08/03 Good dirt road riding in the area and birding is also very good - lots of Forest Service Pontatoc Ridge Trail LocalHikes.Com, 01/06/04 Hikers Cave Creek Pancho Doll, 08/07/01 hiking, swimming Ragged Top: North Gully LocalHikes.Com, 09/02/03 Hikers Cherry Creek Loop Shane, 08/02/01 hiking Red Mountain Trail LocalHikes.Com, 10/09/03 Hikers, Dogs, Horses Clear Creek Bob Ribokas, founder, Grand Canyon Explorer, 09/17/99 Hiking Reevis Ranch David Radel, 08/03/01 hiking Coke Ovens D Reeves, 01/29/03 Offroad, 4wd or ATV Rim Trails Will Martin, 05/28/01 hiking, biking, camping, fishing, backpacking Colorado River Andrew Solomon, river guide and medical student, 09/17/99 Paddling, hiking, fishing Roger's Canyon Cliff Dwellings Shane, 08/02/01 Corridor Bob Ribokas, Founder Grand Canyon Explorer, 09/17/99 Hiking, wildlife viewing Romero Pools - Catalina State Park LocalHikes.Com, 07/21/03 Hikers Elephant Head: East Ridge Trail LocalHikes.Com, 03/04/04 Hikers Romero Ruins Trail - Catalina State Park LocalHikes.Com, 12/02/03 Hikers Ellison Creek Pancho Doll, 08/07/01 hiking, swimming Sandys and Walnut Canyon LocalHikes.Com, 08/01/03 Hikers, Dogs, Bikes, Horses Fish Creek Pancho Doll, 08/07/01 hiking, swimming Segment 17 & 18. Picketpost to Roosevelt Lake Bill Watson, 04/17/03 Hiking Fossil Creek (2 trails) Ted Stratton, 04/23/02 hiking, swimming, fishing, camping Signal Hill Trail LocalHikes.Com, 08/01/03 Hikers Fossil Springs Pancho Doll, 08/07/01 South Canyon to the Colorado River Roger Olander, 09/08/01 Fishing, hiking, camping Fountain Park Trail LocalHikes.Com, 08/01/03 Hikers, Dogs Superstition ridgeline Matt Gilbert, 09/08/03 Gisela Narrows Pancho Doll, 08/07/01 hiking, swimming Sycamore Canyon Pancho Doll, 08/07/01 hiking, swimming Havasue Canyon Hike - 20040128 Herman R. Willett, 03/13/04 Hiking, Backpacking, Primative Camping, Waterfalls Tonto Trail Gray Rector, 09/17/99 Hiking Heart of Rocks: Massai Point LocalHikes.Com, 02/04/04 Hikers Tumamoc Hill LocalHikes.Com, 01/08/04 Hikers Heliograph Peak Trail #328A LocalHikes.Com, 10/09/03 Hikers, Dogs US Earthquakes Data Source: USGS, 04/14/00 Quaking in your boots HoneyBee Canyon South Trail LocalHikes.Com, 07/22/03 Hikers, Dogs US Hot Springs Data Source: US Geological Survey, 09/17/99 Hot spring enjoyment Horton Springs Roger Olander, 08/29/01 Camping fishing and picnic-ing US State Highpoints Glenn Bock, 09/12/01 hiking Icehouse Canyon LocalHikes.Com, 12/02/03 Hikers, Dogs US Volcanoes US Geological Survey, 01/08/01 Peakbagging, Volcano exploring Kendrick Mountain Trail Dennis Lightfoot, 07/07/03 Hiking Valley View Overlook Trail LocalHikes.Com, 08/01/03 Hikers Kendrick Mountain Trail LocalHikes.Com, 07/22/03 Hikers, Dogs Ventana Canyon LocalHikes.Com, 01/08/04 Hikers Lake Pleasant Scott Brayshaw, 07/03/01 4x4ing Wasson Peak - Sendero Esperanza Trail LocalHikes.Com, 03/04/04 Hikers Lake View Trail LocalHikes.Com, 10/09/03 Hikers, Dogs, Horses Wasson Peak: King Canyon Trail LocalHikes.Com, 08/01/03 Hikers Limestone Spring Tom Peters, 01/11/04 West Baldy Trail #94 LocalHikes.Com, 08/01/03 Hikers, Horses Linda Vista Trail LocalHikes.Com, 07/22/03 Hikers, Horses Windy Ridge Trail Loop LocalHikes.Com, 09/02/03 Hikers Meteor Craters of North America Data Source: USGS, 10/05/01 exploding on impact Woodbury Cabin Area Dave Casey, 02/14/04 Hiking, Hunting, Exploring Mt Humphreys: Humphreys Trail LocalHikes.Com, 09/02/03 Hikers, Dogs - Indicates file that requires TOPO! version 3.0 or higher to view. Get the latest upgrade >>

When I hide a cache, I save the waypoint where I am at when the EPE eroor is at it's smallest, usually under 18 feet. I usually take about 5 samples that way. When I get home I throw out the two at the far ends and then average the other three in each direction (N and W).

The install program is with the West map disk. The East only has the maps for the East. . Copy both disks to a new folder on C drive. Than open the West side and click on install or setup icon (Frget which one-probably setup). Once everything is loaded you can delete the West maps if you want to save space on the C drive..

I grew up in the Bronx and as a kid always carried a pocket knife playing "land" or whittlin' whenever i could. No one really cared or said anything as long as it wasn't a switch blade or gravity knife. Today, it's different what with metal detectors in some schools and stern policies against weapons of any kind for schoolkids. Regarding caches, I don't think NYC government cares what's in caches in our parks - heck, I don't think they even know caching goes on in our parks. However, since 911, I had three Swiss Army pocket knives confiscated at the airport because I forgot to take them off my key ring and put them in my checked baggage!

Using GSAK to create the gpx files, create "smart" 10 digit waypoint descriptors that include D/T, smart name, type of cache, container type, etc. These are all set in the GSAK GPX output page. In GSAK Waypoint name descriptor page I insert %smart %dist %By %code set for 10 which gives me the Smart name in 10 digits for my GPS. and and when I tap the Mapopolis cache icon will show smart name, the distance from home in miles, who placed the cache and the GCabcd code. In cache desption format I insert %typ (%Dif/%Ter) %con which additionally shows the cache type, D/T and type of container when I tap the icon. Check GSAK HELP for other codes you can enter beside the ones I use I believe that some GPSr's will also display this info like Mapopolis but I'm not sure if it will show as much info. Then using gpxtomaplet, create the Mapopolis maplet files and paste into your PPC memory card that will overlay your Mapopolis county maps. Then when you tap the icon on the Mapopolis screen you'll have the afrementioned description. If you decide to naviagte there, tap again and Navigate To. If course, you want to use gpxsonar for the paperless description of the cache web page but the maplet icon description saves letsof time when you're trying to select whcih cache to hit along the way. This is a great feature when I'm just driving around my home area too.