Baxter-MD

I think magnets are a pretty good item - - not expensive and we all have a refrigerator. I often drop off matchbox cars if the cache seems like it will get a fair number of visits from kids. Some folks seem to get sick of them, but I also like carabiners - - I always seem to be able to use another one because I am constantly losing them. In my area (Va/Md/DC) I have not seen anything in a cache that looked like it cost more than a few dollars - - but then again the caches I have visited so far have not required a hike of more than .3 miles. I am planning a cache for a nearby hiking trail and I plan to put it at least .5 miles away from the obvious parking spot. In that cache I plan on filling it with some items that I would be willing to hike a mile into the woods to retrieve. But as they say, it is the hunt not the treasure.

What about Canadian Geocoins? They don't even show-up on the geocaching webpages - - eventhough the coin includes the web site address. I was lucky that the coin I found was still in its original bag or I would not have known what to do with it (which is log it at www.geocoins.ca).

I wanted to guy a GPS device for hiking and while researching different brands and types I kept finding comments in reviews like, "I use mine primarily for geocaching." Being curious I researched geocaching. And being curious I went to find a cache close to home as soon as I got my GPS. That is all it took.

Thanks all. Now I just need another nice clear day.

I am planning a cache, but need advice on getting the best coordinates possible. I have a Magellan SporTrak GPS that has an aveaging feature. To get the best average, should I stay at the location for some length of time - - say five or so minutes - - and then take a reading? I have taken a series of readings on different days and the coordinates are varied, but I noticed the the ones that I take later (when I have been standing in the general area for a while) are more accurate thatn the ealier readings. Second question how close do you expect the hunt coordinates to be to the actual cache. I have heard 20 feet is close enough, but I wanted to get closer. Of course I have fund caches when my GPS would only get me within 30 feet. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

My signature item is a magnet and I hope folks will take them after I leave them. They don't have my name on them - - to limit the should I take it confusion - - but I note in the log that the mask magnet is my calling card and you can see pictures in my profile. One day I hope to go into someone's house and see my calling card on thier fridge.

FYI - The British Fox TB has already caught a ride out of the cache and the area. But thank you for replying to my posting.

Funny to find you posting on my local site when I just recently posted on yours.. As noted by the Leprechauns, there are a number of virtual caches downtown by the monuments. Try searching for caches in the 20005 zip code. If you want to try actual caches consider "Neglect" and "Rose Park" in the Georgetown area. If you have a car and can get into Northwest DC, "S Valley" (My favorite cache so far. A small wooded area with an established path in area of embassy residences and other stunning houses.), "DC Line" (This is were I left the TB heading for the UK), "Sibley" and "B&O Railroad" (This is cache is on the "Crescent Trail" a mostly paved path that runs from Georgetown, in Washington DC into Maryland) are all within a very close driving distance from each other. You can map them by doing a search for caches in the 20016 zip code. If you have someone at home who would like to see you live from DC, consider "*Washington, D.C. Live." Sorry, but I don't have any recommendations for Virginia - - still new to the game. Safe travels.

I went to look for this bug and had the same experience as JoeCthulhu. The coordinates place you in a small field/park between the Natural History Museum and the Washington Monument - - right on the National Mall. There are no permanent buildings on this site - - though on occasion they erect temporary buildings and tents for events in this area. There are no stairs within 400 feet of the coordinates. If the cache was placed near any of the buildings closest to this site - - all of which are federal buildings - - there is no way it would still be there. Security is pretty tight around this area as it is about two blocks from the White House.

If you happen to be coming to the Washington, D.C. area, there is a Travel Bug currently residing in the "DC Line" cache that hopes to make to the UK. If you can get it to the UK, I'll come and get it.

I will be visiting Santa Fe and Taos in early November for hiking (two or three day hikes) and a general vist. Any suggestions for traditional caches in either area. I will be hiking with someone who is not a geocacher, so I am most interested in any caches that will not require us to stray too far from a blazed trail or that will require a great deal of bushwacking, crawling under things, etc. I expect to have travel bugs, so if any one can suggest a bug hotel or two it would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.