Bullfrog Eh-Team

That's obvious - Everyone knows that 'Wilberforce', Ontario (and greater surrounds) IS the geocaching Capital of Canada. They claimed that title quite some time ago and haven't been successfully uprooted ! AND, correct to your thinking it IS the 'Capital', when the number of placed caches is based on the resident population of their area. The only place you've got to 'flex' your thinking is getting off the word 'CITY'. Wilberforce is a delightful 'town' adjacent to the southern edge of Algonquin Park in Ontario. Read all about it on their exclusive web pages <geocachingcapitalofcanada.com>. Kudos to 'Sticky Moose' and the eager geocachers of the WGS. (the 'Bullfrog Eh-Team' - proud to be neighbours of the WGS !)

Algonquin Park is a very large area. There are many caches on all sides of it. I'd suggest you do a pocket query to which ever side you may be interested in. Center you search on Wilberforce, or Carnarvon, or Kearney, or Huntsville, or Whitney or Barry's Bay, or Mattawa, etc. The Algonquin Highlands are to the south-west.

Three cheers for Sticky Moose and her support for geocaching. A simple explanation in the very short period of time allowed by CTV on CANADA AM - but, 'Sticky Moose' had a positive influence on wanna-be geocachers. She was on the eastern Canada feed as well as the western Canada feed; AND, the CTV.CA news article made the weekly Geocaching.com newsletter as well. Three Cheers - I say! But then, I'm somewhat prejudiced, living so close to the 'Geocaching Capital of Canada'.

Drat: No Princess Auto in the Geocaching Capital of Canada !

Thanks for the heads up 'Algonquin Bound'. I was heading to Hamilton next week and was planning some caching. CHTV isn't readily available up here. Think I may just stay in the Algonquin Highlands for a further spell.

lvpwx; Each of us choses his or her own sport or activity to experience. We try it; and either enjoy it, or we chose to abandon the particular sport and move on to another style of adventure. Those of us in geocaching, have chosen to use GPSr devices, usually accompanied with map and compass as well. Some chose to find urban caches; and others (such as I) prefer more rustic 'bush' type caches. But, we respect each other's choices to 'do' the sport as the individual has chosen. Rather than experiencing 'geocaching', it appears you have chosen to slam what others have chosen to do; and you suggest that we have all made the wrong choice. A little introspection might be in order - and then sample the sport, and make your own choices.

Assuming you'll be mobile, there are many new caches placed in recent months to the west side of Algonquin Park - in the Kearney area. (Most are micros!). We have several caches to the south-west gate of the park in the Algonquin Highlands, and of course there are the famous caches of the WGS (Geocaching Capital of Canada) to the south side of the park in Highlands East Township.

The Restaurant is the famous "Crossroads" restaurant - in beautiful downtown Wilberforce, Ontario. And the 'Geo-burger' will be served in its very own styrofoam 'cache' container, if you ask. I'm sure if you e-mail 'sticky moose' - she'll let you know which 'hotel' is offering the getaway package.

I actually live next to the park, and intended to do a rescue from here. However, when I looked at the actual co-ordinate location; I found the cache wasn't easily accessed, so I tabled my motion. I doubt the park's people will bother it for a while. So some younger cachers, might want to do the trip, to rescue the bug.

Wow! "64 states" (are you including in some European 'states'?); "12 or even 13 Provinces" (are there some European 'Provinces' included too? Does this include Provence in France?); and even an Ontario "County" at Thunder Bay ("40 hour drive" - from Barrie ?, perhaps by snowmobile!, or a COG Canoe?). Where are the Geographers in this thread? Is anyone including 'caching' in the "Geocaching Capital of Canada" in their records? They've had a Maple Fest Event, a Hallowe'en Event, and I now hear there's a 'Leprechaun' event in the works for March 17th, 2007.

How pleased we are to live in a relatively remote 'lakes and forested' area. Almost all of our cache finds and hides required at least a short hike into the bush, and exposure to the natural world. The only ones we 'ignore' are those restricted to 'water access only', and even those we may attempt as winter ice sets in (next week?). I guess we're fortunate that the nearest 'lamp post hide' is over 100 km away; and, we're also fortunate that 'sparcity' usually generates 'quality'.

Dang hunters get all my prime photography time! Hour before/after sunrise/sunset is THE best time to be taking photos.... one of the primary reasons I got into geocaching in the first place. Don't hold the camera up to your eye. You could be blinded by the flash!

Loads of deer hunting up here. You'd be mighty foolish to venture out geocaching, or even walking the family dog along a highway, without wearing BLAZE ORANGE during the hunting season. But, I've even seen 'hunters' wearing their blaze orange garments 'under' a vest or rainproof jacket - not a great plan! If you beleive you may be anywhere near a hunting area; ASK about the various season dates, and even then use extreme caution in what you chose to wear, or how you squat down to rummage through the twigs and leaves in search of a cache!

Anyone wishing to get a local government 'on side' in the tourism advantages of Geocaching, would do well to review the work done by 'Sticky Moose' in Wilberforce, Ontario through the past year or so. Not only is the local municipal government very supportive, but the entire business community is involved as well as the Ministry of Transport, whom I believe have recently approved the installation of highway signage that appropriately promotes the 'WGS' - (Wilberforce and Greater Surroundings) as the "Geocaching Capital of Canada". 'Sticky Moose' has already organized two significant 'events', the latest of which was a hallowe'en theme, that involved a significant number of local drama talent in searching for the remains of 'Leweena Gizzardstone'. A well planned 'event' and some significant geocaches in the area, will go a long way to promote any locality. It's a win-win for both the community and the geocachers.

Although we had not had the honour of meeting 1701eh in person; we were certainly aware of his geocaching presence, through the many logs we've seen written into cache log-books. We've now read through this thread today, and realize that 1701eh played a very significant role in the Ontario geocaching community. We join with others in expressing the loss of such a dedicated 'scouter' and 'cacher'. Our prayers go out for the on-going recovery of Sue, and the emotional support of their children. bullfrogeh & lilypad of the 'Bullfrog Eh-Team'.

Twelve Kids A-Caching

I believe you'll find the 'SL' series refers to the 'South Lake series' placed by the EASTERN Ontario GPSTH people. You are correct, the 'SL' series has exactly 17 entries. However the SL Series in only one of nine series of Active (for 2006!) Cache sets, placed by the EOGPSTH., and is about the only series located close to you - so far ! We border one of the other nine series - the NH/CC series of EOGPSTH; and we're hemmed in from the north by the NOGPSTH caches as well. I don't believe there is any OGPSTH activity labelled 'Central Ontario' - YET! Are we looking forward to a set of 'COGPSTH' series ? So far I believe the general Muskoka/Haliburton and WGS areas are clear; but there have already been initial efforts to get these 'commercial' caches sponsored in here as well. If they cleaned up their placement and maintenance acts; they could be a welcome addition to the geocaching community. But, the quest for $$$ seems to be foremost; while the environment (and consequently - 'our' sport) may suffer.

Whoa Dano!! Your reply indicates there are only 17 in 'Central Ontario' , and you've found them all !! Better check your atlas, or define 'your' Central Ontario. Have you done the ones around Bancroft ? I've only done one (a poor hide, clearly visable, minimal 'stash', no challenge, and not an interesting location) and have since avoided any others, on a matter of principle, as I believe they are commercializing 'our' sport, and I believe the GC posting should entice us to visit the site, not entice us to win something.

So, basically, if I take a deet shower and am my usual non-stop chatty self, I'll pretty much drive all those nice little black bears away? That certainly sounds doable. Have to be honest ! - The better half (Lilypad), also wears a 'Bear Bell' - just in case the Deet wears off.

I'm planning to do some geocaching in Fiji, New Zealand, OZ, Singapore and Thailand. Is there a way for me to load in an 'Australasian' type database of maps, to replace my North American base maps for a temporary period of time ? I'm driving a Garmin 60CS, using GSAK on the 'pewter; and Cachemate Mobile on the HP Pocket PC.

Best reason for not finding a cache ? She found it first - - - again!

The Bullfrog Eh-Team necks in the woods closer to Arrowhead (50 km.) But, the bears are very chosey about the taste of geocachers. Usually they (the geocachers) reek of 'Deet'; and aren't considered as special fare. Your bushwacking experience is par for the course in this end of 'Central Ontario'. As you get closer to 'The Geocaching Capital of Canada' the experience get more bush-ie. Yesterday, the Bullfrog Eh-Team found 6 cahes in only 6 hours - and only put 275 km. on the geo-mobile. Some sort of record for us!

AND - you're getting closer to 'The Geocaching Capital of Canada' <geocachingcapitalofcanada.com> in the 'WGS' (Wilberforce and Greater Surroundings) - still in 'central' Ontario! Most people believe 'Northern Ontario' starts at the North Bay, Sudbury, Sault, latitude - which is still further south than ALL of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, and BC. What a great country we/you live in Eh ?

Sure paper wasp nests are fragile. But surely they were built to withstand some water! Otherwise .... well.... we've still got wasps, don't we? Why not use the actual paper wasp nest, and suspend a camouglaged 'micro' beneath the nest ? Or better yet, carve out a small hole in the base of the actual nest, large enough for the suspended micro. Access to the micro could merely be sliding the 'fragile' nest up the support string, to expose the micro? Most muggles should stay well clear of such a cache.

Two 60's something seniors here, married for 40 years. Just got into caching two years ago. It has provided us with even more quality time together (in the bush, where we enjoy being); and the distinct plus of 'outdoor exercise'. It has become another passion. Although only 'newbies', currently with 125 caches, we've racked up 19 FTFs to date. We're retired and have introduced a few other retirees to the sport. Also introduced our children and grandkids to the sport. When we're not out in the bush, getting lost, looking for Tupperware, we're following the stories of our 14 caching children (the TBs) on GC.com Geocaching has certainly provided extra 'glue' to this marriage!