Baxter-MD

After reading comments form folks in the forum I decided that I needed some more research before placing my first cache. I made an effort to go after a diverse series of regular caches - - placed in different areas of my tri-state area (MD-VA-DC), placed by different geocachers, and different types of environments. I learned a lot. In the end, I think my cache locations, choice of containers and original contents were better than they would have been if I had not waited. Overall I think I had about 25 finds.

Just curious. Have you placed the cache? Might need to road trip for this one.

Keep with it. I once had to go back three times for a cache rated with a 1 diffculty. I posted a DNF and then the next day someone posted a log to the effect, went right to it, coordinates spot on, easy find. What is even worse is that when I finally found the thing it was among some stump/log remains that I had searched on my first two trips. I have no idea why I did not see it prior to the find, but I didn't. It happens to everyone. As someone said, not finding sometimes makes the game more fun.

I am not sure you are going to find this to be a very relaxing or enjoyable hobby if you are getting this worked up after just a few finds.

The general rule is to leave it as you found it and in all cases hide it in such a way that someone casually walking by will not see it. Don’t take it personally if someone after you notes, “re-hid it better than I found it.” People’s perception of what qualifies for effective camouflage differs. Personally, I think a pile of parallel sticks or a combination of parallel sticks and sticks at right angles on top of a cache are rather suspicious, but I see it all the time. As for moving a cache, that is a matter of debate. I have seen notes from experienced cachers stating that they moved the cache back to where is should be (it is not uncommon for people to re-hide a cache in a different location from where they found it - - I don’t know how this happens but it does). My advice for someone just starting, however, is to not move the cache location even if you think it is in the wrong place. Instead, note in your log that the cache seems to be x feet from the coordinates given or that you suspect the cache has moved. The cache owner is e-mailed a copy of every log and this will put them on notice. They will be able to check it during their next maintenance visit. Welcome to the game.

I decided to hide my first cache to give back to the game. I also liked the idea of: (1) introducing people to a place that not many folks seemed to know about, and (2) placing a cache within a reasonable distance from another cache that I liked to draw people to that cache as well.

I have wondered the same thing. The community views SBA as such an extreme step that it seems like we need something in between.

I agree with Donbadabon. I would not generally revisit a cache just to pick-up a travel bug. I would, however, if the bug was for me or it was a particular bug I was tracking. I have a different rule for dropping of travel bugs. If I know I will not be able to get to a new cache in a reasonable amount of time, I will revisit a cache to drop off a travel bug. I have also revised a cache that is close to Dulles International Airport to drop off travel bugs that want to head to Europe. In those cases I just post a note.

I don't understand what you mean when you say that you will allow the votes. The photo is not posted on the web site, so the only way anyone could have voted is if they read my log and voted from that page. I know I voted from the log page, but I can't imagine anyone else did. I also have to say that I feel very confident that I uploaded the picture before midnight - - I say this because I was aware of the deadline and the photo was accepted for the contest- - but I am guessing you have some record of when it actually came in. Don't worry, I'm not calling the FTC over this. It just would have been nice to have had an e-mail returned or some other notice so that I would have known that the entry actually was going to be rejected sooner than this.

Here is a link for the log. Jeep Log Edited: OK, Let's see if the link works now.

I am curious if anyone else has experienced a problem similar to the one I encountered with the Jeep travel bug photo contest. I submitted a photograph (the log page for the travel bug indicates that the photo was successfully submitted and received) but my photo was not included in the gallery for voting posted on December 16th. I sent an e-mail to the contact address and received nothing back expect an Email Bot message indicating that the message was received. Anyone know of any similar problems?

When I first started, the coordinates for the first few caches I found were dead on. My GPS device said I was within 5 feet of ground zero (the actual coordinates provided) and sure enough, the cache was right there. Over time I realized that most caches were actually within 20 feet of ground zero. I also began to realize that depending on the weather, tree cover or anything else that could interfere with the satellite signal, my GPS would place ground zero in multiple locations. So my advice is to first, realize that the coordinates usually just get you to the general area of the cache. You may want to read some of the logs for the cache to see if folks mention that the cache is not located at the coordinates provided. Second, it you are like me and you want to follow the arrow on your GPS device, try approaching the area from different directions. If two or more approaches lead you to the same general location, you are probably in the correct spot. Third, assuming you are not looking for a cache with a high difficulty rating, look for a spot where you might hide a cache of the size you are trying to find - - in a hollow stump, under a fallen tree, in a rotted out log. Fourth, as is my motto, look for piles of suspicious sticks. Sticks do not fall on the ground in a parallel formation, nor do they land at right angles. In fact, when was the last time you saw a pile of sticks that was not actually created by a person. Fifth, don’t only focus on the ground. Some caches - - usually small caches - - are in trees or above the ground in some form or another. It has been my experience that in most cases when you are looking directly at a cache location a bit of the container is visable. There are exception to this rule; which kepts the game interesting. Keep at it. I once spent two hours looking for a cache that once I found it I could not understand how I had kept walking past it. It was not particularly well covered (a classic parallel stick formation, with the amo box clearly in view), I just failed to see it the first 20 or so passes. I found the nearby letter box with no problem, I just had a hard time finding the cache which was, no joke, 5 feet away from the letter box an on the other side of the fallen tree. I was extremely excited when I finally found the cache. Good luck.

I think some of the potential danger can be eliminated when placing or maintaining the cache (in cases where the situation has changed over time). I have visited cache locations that are very close to places where homeless people have set-up camp. Personally, I don't think either type of location is a good spot for a cache. Caches in such locations have the potential for an unfortunate encounter - - particularly at night. When logging the cache I have included a warning in my log entry so that the owner has an idea of what is going on near the cache and others can make an informed decision as to whether and when they want to visit the cache. In another case I sent the owner an e-mail suggesting that the cache be moved or archived.

I live in Maryland and I thought the state flag just screamed to be redone in the geocaching/Groundspeak colors.

Jim - Thank you very much. That is money. Brian.

Jim - Yes, just like that. Thank you. Is it possible to make the orange a bit less pink? Thank you vey much for your time and help. Brian.

Can anyone give me hand. I think this will be easy. I would like to modify the Maryland State flag so that the yellow and red sections are replaced to reflect the geocaching four colors. My skills on a computer are so limited that I could not even cut and paste a copy of the flag into this image. Thanks in advance.

I hope you can break last year's record. I am in for 5 more tickets.

What elements make a good Travel Bug motel? 1) A good size container. 2) Places near (but a safe distance away from) a highway or airport. What else?

I am sorry, I did not mean to yell. I work with someone who has a vision disability, so I have gotten into the habit of enlarging fonts and typing in bold for e-mails and the like as an accomodation. I changed the font out of habit.

I like it when the owner hides the cache from the muggles, but not from someone with a cacher's eye. Unless the cache has a high difficulty rating - - so that you know what you are getting into - - I don't want to spend an hour circling the same 50 feet of ground. A number of the caches in my area are in wooded areas, so it is difficult to get really good signal near the cache. As a result, the posted coordinates for the cache always seem different from what my GPS reads when I find it. But that is ok. For me getting within 30 to 40 feet of the cache and then using an experienced eye to find the correct spot is fun. I did a cache where the clue was "leave no stone unturned." I took a reading, got within 3 feet of ground zero and started turning over the rocks that made up a "dry creek" drainage path. I then moved out in a circle 10 feet, then 20 feet, turning over large rocks as I went. After a while I became concerned that I was doing much more than just leaving foot prints behind through my searching. At some point I thought to myself, if I owned the cache I would have looked for a spot in that old stone wall about 50 feet away. And eventually I decided to take a look at the wall. I came back to the wall two times before noticing a bit of Tupperware peaking out from within the wall. I was delighted to make the find. My point is that getting a good GPS signal can make a level 2 hide into a level 3 (other posters have also noted problems with getting a signal in the area and I believe the DNF rate is about 25%). I didn’t mind that the coordinates seemed to be off or even that the clue led me astray because the cache was in a place that, while not obvious. had a cacher’s logic to it. Of course I was tempted to post something in my log such as, "just before giving up I moved to the east and wall I'll be darned if I did not find it." If I have to do a needle in a haystack search, I would want that pile of pinecones to be at ground zero. [Edited to correct a font error].

I'm in. Good idea and great cause.

I think it is more comon with new caches. Recently several new caches were posted and I headed out for the possibility of a FTF. When I got close to the site, I looked for a place to park and there were already two other cars parked in the same location. Given the time of day and the location of the parked cars I had a feeling that the cache site must be very crowded and decided to move on to the next new cache. Sure enough, three people posted finds that night, and they were all at the cache at the same time - - but they all arrived separately. Since I did not get the FTF on my next cache, I do regret missing the opportunity to meet some fellow cachers.

What a great idea. Send me an address and I will send you a set of my signature items.

On more than one occasion I have gone to a cache only to find that a TB that was supposed to be there was missing. Assuming that after looking at the log book you: (1) see that no one has been to the cache within the 7 or so days; and (2) you see no indication that the TB was taken by someone, should you post a note on the TB’s page noting that the TB seems to be missing? I know I would want to know if my TB seemed to go MIA, but was wondering what others thought.