JJball

500 TBs going missing from an event is definitely not acceptable in my opinion, and you have my sympathies. Unfortunately, I don't have any constructive advice or thoughts on how to help the situation But I agree that it is a problem.

By all means, that is the very first thing you need to do after turning your GPSr on for the first time after purchasing it or getting it as a gift. It might not seem like much but it will most likely save your bacon. The probability of you getting your GPSr back after losing it also increases if you mark your home waypoint on it. Yep, I have my name, physical address, phone number and e-mail address set to show on start-up. I just know it is going to come in handy one day!

this has to be some kind of inside joke!! Gets me curious... Look down at the bottom of the forums and you will see the Hamster Caching section

Because Groundspeak doesn't sell nails? Hahahahahaha

This one gets my vote: Psycho Urban Cache #9 - Hot Glowing Tribulations ...yeah the EPA and CDC were investigating claims related to this cache and it had to be temporarily disabled. Seriously, this wins. When there is a threat of dying due to radiation or cancer ...yeah. This topic has been brought up quite a bit in the past I believe, here is one good thread on it.

Sounds good to me

I take out trash. I've found leaking batteries, and wadded up candy wrappers in caches that I've removed. I really can't imagine someone honestly objecting to the removal of those type of objects. I'm pretty sure I would remove something that was actually dangerous (like a rusty nail) but aside from the leaky batteries, I haven't come across that yet. If I saw something pornographic (nothing wrong with its existence in general, just doesn't have a place in geocaching imo) or hateful (sexism, racism etc), I'd probably remove that too. I see nothing wrong with business cards or religious items, I see that all the time.

I do this ALL the time. Not just with my GPSr, but my wallet, my iPhone, my keys, my pocket knife, my credit card , my sunglasses, my pen and just about anything else important. Constant state of panic I tell you! Everything has a place but apparently I can never put them there. I don't know how I sleep at night.

Exactly.

Yes, I believe this is what causes the double standard. Of course, I guess it would also depend upon the tree you put the firetack or nail into. A 100 year old oak tree that I can't put my arms around probably isn't going to be hurt by a firetack or a nail. A year old sapling that I can encircle with my thumb and index finger might, although I seriously doubt it would be enough damage to seriously hurt or kill the tree. People just need to use common sense.

I send logs (Finds, DNFs, and other notes) all the time from my iPhone. They usually get posted (though not always, I'd say about 90% of the time for me). But what I have noticed, is that after I submit a log from the iPhone, I can't immediately refresh my phone/geocaching app and see my log like I can sitting at my computer at home submitting logs. It usually takes anywhere from 10-30 minutes for me to see a newly submitted iPhone log on my iPhone.

Don't hide more caches than you are willing to keep maintained. And I mean well maintained.

We average about 4 days a week. Usually just a few on week nights and 8-10 on weekend days

NOV8TR, I LOVE this. Oh so true, and very humorous! I just reposted this on my facebook page (giving you credit) for all my friends to read, because they just don't get it! This would make for an excellent read on Podcacher or in FTF magazine! Mad props,

It's only one cache, so not logging another find on it isn't going to hurt you. There are thousands of other caches out there to get smilies from, the right way. I don't see this as somthing to lose sleep over.

I tend to agree with this comment.

That is a great story! Congratz You should send the story to the Podcacher radio show and/or FTF magazine ..lots of people would enjoy hearing it

That is my vote.

I agree with everyone who has posted so far. It's a prize, with no strings attached. Don't let them make you feel bad about it. That being said, I always leave something behind when I take something from a cache, reglardless of what the item is or what it is for. Heck I usually leave something behind when I don't take something. Its just part of the game for me

I agree with Intemperance. Variety helps you think outside the box. If you go in with a preconceived notion of what a cache should look like, you could very likely overlook it

Every cache I've hidden has taken 3 days exactly to get published. Our local reviewer always seems to publish them between 9pm and 12am which is probably just the only time he/she has to do it, not sure. It may vary from area to area.

You are actually doing very well so far! Sometimes if I'm having a bad day and I want to "ensure" a find (or as close as I can get to ensuring that, because that is really impossible), I'll check and make sure the caches I'm going for have been found in the last week, 2 weeks, month or whatever, and stick to larger caches with easier ratings. If I'm in the mood for a challenge, I'll go for caches that haven't been found in awhile (or have some DNFs piled up), and/or caches with tougher difficulty ratings

That is just very sad. Well, that and disgusting. I'm sorry this happened to you and the other cachers in your area.

Yep, what they said!

Yes. Yes. Yes. I can't say that enough times. If the container itself isn't watertight or there are not other watertight means inside the container to keep the log book dry and the trade items from getting rusty, then I don't see the point of putting it out. You have to be able to sign the log! I understand that it has to be watertight but does it matter if it is, what type of container it is? Such as an ammo can or a screw top food container. Do you have a certain preference? Nope don't care as long as its dry! I would prefer the container to at least be camoed or otherwise altered so that it fits into its surroundings at least somewhat, so it doesn't just look like trash. Unless the intention for the particular cache is for it to look like trash (then its OK and even encouraged!) Other than that, I just want to find a dry cache and dry log to sign and care not what type of container is used