Nightshade13

I keep about five tactical-style flashlights in my cache bag (yes I have a problem with buying new flashlights all the time - but at least I always have at least one that works). I also keep several mini-mags (usually the pink breast cancer research ones) that I use as swag items, but don't use them myself. My latest acquisition, though I have been pretty impressed with so far: Nebo Redline 220 Lumens, less than half a pound, three brightness settings to save on battery life, adjustable beam, water-resistant, and even a built-in SOS morse code flasher (that I hope I never need). I had never heard of the manufacturer before I saw this, but so far it seems to be a pretty good all-around light.

For the record, I just found Ampresearch's replacement cryptex today (no, not FTF - there were about 10 other names before me), along with one of his other hides nearby, and I can confirm that it looks even better in person than it does in the photos. Not only that, but even his outer container was pretty cool and the chosen location was beautiful and somewhere I had never been despite living within a half mile of GZ for 26 years. I look forward to many more great caches from him, and if this is what we got with less than 50 finds, I can only begin to imagine what kinds of things he will come up with as he gets more experience. And now that I have sufficiently embarrassed Amp, back to your regularly scheduled caching.

No encounters while caching yet, but did get pulled over today right after leaving a F2F. Apparently I was covering too much latitude in too short a time. The officer was friendly though, I explained that I was excited about the F2F and just missed the speed limit change. He laughed and told me to slow down and let me on my way.

No, it isn't a "normal" encryption technique, I sort-of modified a fairly common encoding technique (could be a hint for anyone in the area looking to solve it) - and the couplet following the encrypted text would definitely be necessary to solve it (though no keyword encryption or anything here, just clues in the couplet). Thanks for having a look, though. Hopefully more people will do the same over time. I just hope that gift certificate doesn't expire (or in this economy more concerning - that the shop doesn't go out of business) before someone FTF's. Thanks again.

Thanks to everyone for their responses. I figured that the timing and the fact that it was a puzzle cache may work against it somewhat, just wasn't sure exactly what to expect given that this is my first hide. Hopefully it won't take quite as long for an FTF as Harry Dolphin's. andGuest - Actually I hadn't explored geocheck.org all that much other than establishing the account and adding the page, etc. Thanks for the info - I've reset the stats now so they should reflect the correct 0/0 numbers now. And yes, feel free to have a try at solving the puzzle - like I said, it seems fairly easily solved to me but of course my perspective isn't the same as someone looking at it for the first time. Thanks again for everyone's quick responses. I hope to hide a few more soon.

My first hide was published yesterday morning (hidden a couple of days before that but had to rectify some minor guidelines issues relating to the dummy coords). I wanted to create something that was of greater difficulty than many of the LPCs and P&Gs I see around here (understandable since heavily populated area leaves little room for more complex caches). This cache has a puzzle component as well as being pretty well-camoed at GZ in my opinion. No watchers or attempts yet on the geocheck (other than my own test check), though admittedly it's only been a day and a half or so since published. As this is my first hide, I'm not sure what to expect as far as when I can expect people to start attempting this one. I also wonder if maybe my puzzle is harder than I thought - puzzle answers seem very easy, of course, when you're the one that created them. Here is the link to my cache and I welcome any input or suggestions: Sunset Hideaway Of course, please no solutions or spoilers to the cache on the forums. Thanks! Nightshade13