Bluespreacher
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Posts posted by Bluespreacher
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The MoFryFam of 6 packed up the minivan for a weekend road trip 4 hours away for a family reunion and some geocaching to Wallaceburg Ontario. Loaded up the PQ into the Garmin 60Cx and packed up the kiddies with all the travel neccessities. (ipods, DSs, lego, books etc. etc.) Our first night at the hotel our van was broken into.
These scumbags hit the jackpot! Doors were all locked when we hit the sack. In the morning nothing was broken but the driver window had been opened a quarter inch... strange... all doors unlocked, even the back hatch door. We're guessing what promted them was the dashmounted Nuvi 255W, which, yes we should have removed from the dash when parked in a parking lot over night. Everything else was in the console, glove box, under seats etc. (out of plain view and behind tinted windows).
You don't realize how much stuff you have in a vehicle until it's gone! These punks took EVERYTHING! Luckily we brought the DSLR camera and most of the iPods into the hotel, but we lost:
Blackberry, iPod, Zune, DSi, DSiXL, LeapFrog, Auto GPS, Handheld GPS, Digicam, All the chargers and adapters, loose change, CDs, Sunglasses, Timmies gift card, OUR ENTIRE FULLY STOCKED GEOCACHING BAG, 3 out of 6 full bottles of water and a few tampons
The sad part is that the $3,000 yes $3,000 worth of OUR STUFF will likely be traded for about a hundred bucks worth of drugs. SAD!
Kids were pretty upset but remained strong and realize that THINGS can be replaced and our family was not physically harmed and our minivan was unharmed.
Police have our list and some serial #s but we're not expecting to see anything returned to us. Our first purchase Saturday morning? A Garmin GPSMap 62S. Addicted to caching or what? Now to rebuild the geocaching bag and all of the kids' electronics and re-stock the emergency tampon stash... or should that have been the first purchase? LOL
Our learnings
1 The obvious - don't leave your GPS in plain view
2 Don't leave so much stuff in the vehicle, even if it is a hassle to remember all of the little things (which all add up to big $)
3 Some robbers get thirsty and need to remember to pick up something for their wife while out
I hope this doesn't happen to any other fellow geocachers.
Mike
edited for spelling
I've been robbed several times, not as bad as you, tho. I i
did forget my car in the driveway one night. I guess there is someone that goes thru the neighborhood 'shopping' the cars. They took several things, but the worst was my GPSr! It kept me from cacheing for a few years.
I hope your insurance kicks in!
Blueapreacher
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I know. went to a cache the other day/ Hint said "Broken Log". When I got there, the GZ was loaded w/ old and broken logs! No help at all.
BTW, Really like your Citz. W. reference.
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Saturday I was traveling to a conference, and decided it would be a good opportunity to color in a couple of counties on my map. So I was looking for easy caches near the interstate.
I stopped for one located right off the Interstate, difficulty 1.5, terrain 2. I parked in a Wendy's parking lot near the coordinates, and my GPS was pointing into the street. So I decoded the hint.
It said "THINK DUH DUH DUH ITS NOT THAT HARD." Yes, all in caps. My first thought was a phrase that I cannot type in this family-friendly forum. My second thought was, "there's another film can a tenth of a mile from here, I think I'll go find that one."
If you're not going to put a useful hint, why not leave the field blank? Why would a CO choose to insult the person who is looking for his cache?
OK, rant over. Discuss.
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Saturday I was traveling to a conference, and decided it would be a good opportunity to color in a couple of counties on my map. So I was looking for easy caches near the interstate.
I stopped for one located right off the Interstate, difficulty 1.5, terrain 2. I parked in a Wendy's parking lot near the coordinates, and my GPS was pointing into the street. So I decoded the hint.
It said "THINK DUH DUH DUH ITS NOT THAT HARD." Yes, all in caps. My first thought was a phrase that I cannot type in this family-friendly forum. My second thought was, "there's another film can a tenth of a mile from here, I think I'll go find that one."
If you're not going to put a useful hint, why not leave the field blank? Why would a CO choose to insult the person who is looking for his cache?
OK, rant over. Discuss.
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Saturday I was traveling to a conference, and decided it would be a good opportunity to color in a couple of counties on my map. So I was looking for easy caches near the interstate.
I stopped for one located right off the Interstate, difficulty 1.5, terrain 2. I parked in a Wendy's parking lot near the coordinates, and my GPS was pointing into the street. So I decoded the hint.
It said "THINK DUH DUH DUH ITS NOT THAT HARD." Yes, all in caps. My first thought was a phrase that I cannot type in this family-friendly forum. My second thought was, "there's another film can a tenth of a mile from here, I think I'll go find that one."
If you're not going to put a useful hint, why not leave the field blank? Why would a CO choose to insult the person who is looking for his cache?
OK, rant over. Discuss.
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I bought 16 at JCPenney recently for $20 (on sale) They are all diffferent sizes, large to small. Being less than $1.50 each, including tax, that's pretty good.
A quick Google search showed that you can get ther real thing from Target and the manufracturer. Shipping free.
Pluespreacher
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You might try theis:
http://www.geocacher-u.com/resources/paperless.html
It works for me. It's very detailed and I just follow the steps on my Palm OS PDA. There may be easier ways, too.
Bluespreacher
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Thats it. Ive had enough. almost every cache i find has hardly any trade in them that is of value (when i do trade i trade up though). even my own caches are falling apart as far as the trade goes. i try to keep them up but people keep coming with junk. i think they cache with a trash bag (and I'm not talking about cache in trash out). its time to change. what can we do?
I've read the whole thread so far, so here's .02. Swag is part of the game. More so for some than for others. Example: I took a 9 year old boy with me last Fall. We found 3 caches. There was nothing that you could call 'good swag'. I ran into him this last weekend and he wanted to talk about Geocaching. He was still excited by a (I thought) crappy thing he had gotten from one of the caches we had found. At the time I had been embarassed that ther was nothing better in the cache and I also felt the need to "upswag" (I love that word, and recommend it to the lexicon).
Oh, the point?
Sure, clean the junk out, upswag when you can, but you don't have to spend a bunch to keep some useful stuff in the cache. Leave a couple of AA's, a brand new pack of 'tissue' (in a zip-lock), what's wrong with a $1 pack of new cards? These are all useful and cheap. The downswagging of caches has always be with us, all we can do as owners and cachers it to upswag and keep having fun.
Bluespreacher
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You say you want a revolution?
Well you know we all want to change the world.
You could always leave a picture of Chairman Mao.
Seriously, sometimes you just have to go out and clean up the cache and add cool stuff.
Blues
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Backpacker magazine, which just recently discovered the benefits of using a GPS, took a small jab at geocaching in their April edition on page 52.
The thing is, this is under the heading "Social Climber". It's a small tounge-in-cheek advice column that runs each month. It's intended to be humorous for those who have to ask 'what's cool'. It covers such important subjects as, 'Do I have to say Hi to everyone I meet on the trail?'. And 'When is it proper to wear gaiters?'
Let's not give it more weight than it desrves. I don't think it should be construed as the Official Backpacker Word on Geocaching. Think about it, there is a bunch of overlap with these two activities. Some Cachers have even been known to put on a pack and stay out over night.
Keep on Caching,
Bluespreacher
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There are several good caches downtown, most are micros or virtuals. Try Anne's Triple play, 92 Counties, Time of a different kind, Prominade, Medal of Honor, Big Bridge. The canal area is a safe and clean area and most of these caches are near there.
These sound like good fun.
Any not too much further away that you recommend as "don't miss" attractions?
I will have the head of the department with me, and I am campaigning for GPSr units for the classroom---so I want to make sure that he has a really great first caching experience!
You might try 'His Favorite Niece'. It's a virt not far from downtown. There is an excellent view of the city.
Bluespreacher
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I have called up a picture of the 20 closest caches to Lake Monroe's zip code. I'm planning a trip to do some caching. Anyone have any thoughts on any that are "musts"?
There are some nice ones at Deam, South of Bloomington on 446. If you like to hike, you'll have a good time.
Bluespreacher
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Help! I have not been able to connect my GPSr to my comp. My GPSr does not seem to be recognized even tho it is listed in the device log. The technical service rep said it is because I have Win XP. Anyone else have this problem and know of solutions? Thanks.
Some more info would be helpful. What GPSr are you using? How is it connected (USB or com port)? What software are you attempting to get to recognize the unit? I use XP and have very little trouble.
Bluespreacher
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Do I need anything to use a laptop with my legend?
Hi,
Your Legend should have came with a cable. Mine uses a com port, but some may be USB, I don't know.
You'll also need some software. I use Garmin Maps. I also use Delorme's TOPO USA. Both will upload waypoints from and to your GPSr. EZ GPS is a fine piece of software available from the Geocaching.com site. It's really handy to use with Pocket Queries (available to Premium Members).
There's more stuff available, I'm sure that others will offer more answers to your question.
Have fun,
Bluespreacher
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Top 10 Ways to Raise Cash for Caching -
10. Sell a sibling.
9. Find a coin in a sewer. Buy a Wonka Bar. Find Golden Ticket. Take over factory. Sell Oompa-Loompas to the Arabs.
8. Donate body to local mortician's college. Preferably someone else's body.
7. Paint aspirins blue. Sell at school as "Viagra."
6. Take job as armored car guard. "Mistake" money bag for lunch sack at quitting time.
5. Kidnap the local WalMart greeter and take his place. Charge admission.
4. Draw up a "Will Work for eTrex" sign and hang out at highway exits.
3. Sell "Pesky Neighbor Kid" insurance in your neighborhood. Describe to your potential customers all the things you'll do if they don't buy the insurance.
2. Offer to mow the neighbor's lawn for $10. Offer to NOT give them a "lawn job" for $20. (Handy alternative to avoid the paperwork in #3.)
1. Use the cache page to find the nearest, newest cache. Hide in bushes nearby with baseball bat...
I was going to suggest convenience, and liquor stores. But your list has me beat!
Bluespreacher
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Well, as the term becomes (became) more colloquial it probably started to refer only to the act of travelling through a forest where there is no trail.
I'm not sure what you mean by 'becoming colloquial' but Webster's Collegiate (which is supposed to reflect current usage) defines bushwhacking as 'clearing a path through thick woods especially by chopping down bushes and low branches.'
I myself have used "bushwacking" to mean struggling off path to get to a destination. I've done it all my life. But come to find out (in these forums) that's just the wrong word! Go figure. What word would describe that activity? Lost?
Anyway, it is important to use words correctly. Otherwise, we give the wrong impression.
Bluespreacher
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Where the heck is Muncie?
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<!--graemlin:--><BR><BR><IMG SRC="http://www.indianageocaching.com/ingeo-button1.gif"> 
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--><BR><BR><BR><BR>==============="If it feels good...do it"================<BR><BR>**(the other 9 out of 10 voices in my head say: "Don't do it.")**<BR><BR><BR>. I lived in Muncie for three years before most here were born. I try to stay as far away as I can!
Been cachin' in Central and Southern Indiana for a while. Not able to do as much as I did (employment can really interfere!). Still having lots of fun when I can. I took some un-interested persons with me this last Sunday. We still had a lot of fun. Especially the 9 year old boy with us! He had a blast.
Bluespreacher
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I have a Palm 720 and want to download data so I don't have to print all the pages.
any and all help would be appreciated
I use a Clie with Plucker, GPS Spinner, and Pocket Queries. Check here for detailed instructions:
http://www.geocacher-u.com/resources/paperless.html
Bluespreacher
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I believe that Hoosier is cloce to the knobstone trail. 50 miles of free camping and caching!
Now that is something up my alley. Do you have any more details? Thanks!
The KT starts at Deam Lake Recreation are just North of Louisville in Indiana. It is very rugged for most of it's 45 -52 miles. There are several caches along the way. Water is an issue except in wet weather. Don't count on finding much. Many hikers cache water at road crossings.
If you have time, a good TOPO is availble from Indiana DNR,Hoosier Trails Publications, 616 State Office Building, Indpls in 46204.
Bluespreacher
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The first you heard of problems concerning your caches were the DNF logs. When is the last time you visited this cache for a routine maintenance check? I check all of mine periodically, and certainly when there have been DNF's logged on a cache that isn't intended to be too difficult to find.
When you *do* pay your cache a maintenance visit -- and getting to Mudfrog's point -- it is a good idea to log a "note" saying that all is well with your cache. We do not go around archiving caches at random just because they receive a few DNF logs.
The reason that Tennessee Geocacher's account shows zero finds is because this volunteer chooses to use a separate account for performing reviewer duties on behalf of the website. Under this person's regular geocaching account, you'd see a very large number of finds in your neck of the woods. You may very well have met this hard working volunteer!
I'm done. I'll get out there as soon as possble to check on the cache. I'm sure that Tennesee Geocacher is someone I 'know' through Geocaching. Every one I've 'met' through Geocaching has been a great person, if I've offended a fellow cacher, I'm sorry. If he or any one that had actually had a problem with the cache emailed me with their concerns it would have been different.
But the facts (as I know them) are that there have been a couple of DNF's on the cache. I emailed one seeker with more info to try to help. I *have* logged notes when I did cache maintainance.
The rest has been said,
Keep on Caching,
Bluespreacher
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Would be good if you can check on the cache to make sure its all in order. You havnt but that still doesnt explain why Tennessee Geocacher would/can just come along and archive it! Maybe he knows something that you dont? Maybe he received a letter from one of the disgruntled DNFers? Still seems strange that he wouldnt contact you first...
There are a couple of caches of ours that are tough to find and that have a few purple DNF faces on each. Ive checked on them a few times and they are allways in place. Just hope that someone with the "power" doesnt decide to do this sort of thing to us!
Of course, it's possible that some one knows something about my cache that I don't. Just clue me in! I've had caches that were scattered or damaged before and I got right out there to fix the problem. I will be out to this one as soon as possible to check on it, but I have no reason to think that there is any problem with it.
I just think that I should have been included before my cache was archived, that's all.
I've been asked to 'tone it down', and I'm sorry if I've offended anyone, but I'm not sure what that means.
Bluespreacher
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Gorley Hill GC4467Why would anyone from Geocaching.com send me an email from a 'no reply address?
At the bottom of the note it reads:
Thanks for your understanding,
Tennessee Geocacher
Geocaching.com Admin
[E-mail address for Tennessee Geocacher removed by Moderator]
So was the email you got just letting you know someone posted a note about your cache?
Looking back at the email I get from my caches or one's I'm watching all the emails come from noreply@geocaching.com
All I know is I get a message from someone I don't know, his profile shows -0- finds and he's archived my cache. I'm not happy. This is the first I've heard of any problem, and my cache is archived.
I'm just looking for a logical explanation.
Bluespreacher
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If you have replaced or done maintenance on this cache contact me and it will be unachieved
Heh, I think that is the problem... It HAS been unachieved.
It looks like it has been not found twice in 8 months. Personally, if it were me, I'd have gone and done a maintenance check on it sometime during that period. The message is considerate enough and requires you to go on out there to verify it is still there and the approver will unarchive it. I'm thinking the stretch of time is what caused the approver to question it. Did you not receive an email from the approver prior to the archival? Might have been an oversite on there part if you didn't. Still, it's not something that can't be corrected. -Ken
Been meaning to get to it, but really, no one has said it was scattered. It is a tough cache, there are many like it in the area. I was not glad that some had trouble with it. I emailed some with more info. My thing is, 'Why was I not included in this process?
Bluespreacher
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What the H***??? only 2 DNF and it get's archived? who did you piss off or on?
Been Wonderin' myself
Bluespreacher
Sure, clean the junk out, upswag when you can, but you don't have to spend a bunch to keep some useful stuff in the cache. Leave a couple of AA's, a brand new pack of 'tissue' (in a zip-lock), what's wrong with a $1 pack of new cards? These are all useful and cheap. 
--><BR><BR><BR><BR>==============="If it feels good...do it"================<BR><BR>**(the other 9 out of 10 voices in my head say: "Don't do it.")**<BR><BR><BR>. 
What makes a "bad" cache?
in General geocaching topics
Posted
I agree with all of this. So many of the caches near me (46219) are just not anything I care to visit. It is common to see micros hidden in areas full of trash. Much more than you could ever carry out. One rail-to-trails area has caches hidden near homeless camps amid trash. Please pay attention to the location before you hide a cache! Why are you sending a fellow cacher to this area? What's special about it? Who would want to search through trash behind a Best Buy?
Bluespreacher