Spamiam

If you have an interest that's denied here, put it on your own website or a forum you start yourself. This website might get high google hits, but that doesn't mean they meet everyone's interests by a longshot. This place isn't the "geocaching police" or anything. This is just a hobby. Do whatever you want with it, within the letter of the law. If this website doesn't meet your needs, chances are you're not alone. Start one that does. Best wishes, Pam

It's already "out of control". The minute legislators notice is the minute that happens. I just hope our members don't feed the politician's ego by engaging in debate on their political level. We won't win that game. The best thing to do is ignore their meetings on it and just go geocaching instead. Send them a note that says something like "I regret I was unable to attend your meeting. I was busy geocaching. (related experience shared). If you ever want to share anything about geocaching with legislators, stick committedly to wholesome, positive, personal experiences. Shrug at anything negative they may bring up and change the subject to the positive. There's a negative side to anything in life - but that's not what's important here. Play the high side - that's what it's all about.

It was posted in the logs for This tb (Fart Bob) I hope that he is sincere about putting them all back into circulation. Everybody needs a hobby!

The theory is that most reps will either 1) have already read it or 2) have had it explained to them (this was not meant as an insult). These individuals normally either already know how they are going to vote, or know that they want to discuss it more. Its kind of like how you sit through the safety briefing everytime you fly. You've heard it all before, so its just noise in the background. This is a new things. Politicians look at new things in 2 ways: 1: How can I make money from this 2: How can I gain job security from this. A wholesome, enjoyable activity done within the letter of current law robs those powers at the onset. Youth involvement in wholesome, legal activities with educational value robs any self-serving goals even further. Getting politicians and/or their family members and/or their low-income constituants personally involved in a fun way robs the opponents completely. These things are happening, and will continue to happen on an exponential basis. The best thing to do with the politicians who oppose it at this point is ignore them. Dwell on the positive aspects, and hook as many politically active people as you can by inviting them on a cache trip. If you can afford it, buy them or a family member a gps. That's pretty much all the investment you'll need to make. There is *nothing* wrong with this activity and *everything* right with this activity. Don't let that thought get away. They will try to murk and mire it - and that will only happen if you let it. Don't. Stay positive above all.

This is all good. Great opportunity. So? So? So? Apologies that I'm undiplomatic and tactless, but you blew it right there. There was no "incredibly damning evidence". Did you think this was a trial or something? I'm a South Carolina Geocacher, and this is exactly why I stopped posting here, and never felt compelled to join any formal group. What's happened is that control-freaks have entered the picture, on *both* sides. People feel the need to "legislate" us. Worse, unprepared geocachers feel the need to go to the meetings and validate the controller's reasoning. Look, there's been no criminal activity here, and if we subordinate to politicians they're going to simply use this as an opportunity to promote their job security. It's what they do best, having nothing better to do. Since you felt compelled to feed them - NOT pointing out no laws were broken was dropping the ball. NOT turning the conversation toward the educational value was dropping the ball. NOT pointing out that people romp through cemetaries for all manner of reasons, from making-out to geaneology research was dropping the ball. These things are NOT illegal activities. Thinking an open gravesite is "cool" is NOT an illegal activity. Leaning on a headstone is an *anticipated* activity - that's why they're built the way they are. This ball wasn't just dropped, it wasn't even in play. There is simply no way to play ball with these people without supporting their game. The best thing is to let them play unsupported on an isolated court. In other words, don't go to their meetings. If a law IS made then address it. We're all better off skipping the meetings and writing some letters instead. Attending these feed-fests is non-productive. You have to understand why these people are making these meeting plans. They're doing it because people like you folks show up and validate this kind of waste of tax dollars. DON'T GO. Go geocaching instead. Write a letter when you get home if you're so inclined, citing your experiences and the educational value. It'll be far more helpful than what you did in person. And yeah - wholesome fun is still allowed in America (at least among conservatives). No need to leave that out. You can say that you have fun geocaching. Getting youth organizations to say it in writing would be even better. If you plan to go to any more meetings, I'd advise you to recruit a geocaching lawyer to speak on your behalf. But nobody on this side wants to go there, either. The best thing is to just geocache on an individual level, share your positive experiences with your buds, and don't feed the animals.

If it's comfortable for you, and comfortable for your child, go for it. Comfort and proper fit is what it's all about. If you can find one that will grow with the child a bit, all the better. I always prefered the front worn carriers. I tried the back thing for a little while, and I found the front carriers far more convenient, easier to get off and on alone, and more psycho-secure since I could always see him and vice-versa. At 18 months it won't be that long before you graduate to a leash anyway.

You can buy small waterproof containers at scuba shops. It's a special trip though, and for their size they can be pricey. They're usually neon colored, too, which may be a giveaway. Another good small container would be the cases for GameBoy Advance game cards. You can buy these empty cases where ever GameBoy Advance games and accessories are sold, and often at a very reasonable price. They come in clear, subdued and vibrant colors. They have an overlapping closure which would make them water resistant, but it's doubtful they're waterproof. If it doesn't have to be flat, film canisters are probably still the best thing going against the elements.

Hi. I'm the family dog, Rosita. Mom let me use this account to post a note. As you can see from this photo of a cache find, I keep them well focused on the task at hand. OK, I know it *looks* like I'm pulling away while they're trying to get a photo taken with the cache, but I'm really sniffing out the next one 8 miles away! Really!

The local caching community generally agreed against posting MOCs. Then someone came along and posted a MOC - despite the local community opinion ... nothing against the gc.com guidelines there. Then Gernot90 posted a traditional cache with a caveat on the logging requirements in response ... nothing against the guidelines there either. And it's in German because they reside in Germany ... you're not suggesting all foreign caches be listed in English, are you? Wouldn't that be discriminating against the foreign cachers that don't speak English? As you can see from his posts here, this guy speaks perfectly adequate English. His "15 miles of bad road" are at your expense - and if you'll read his comments above you'll note he logged his laughter. It's amazing to me that people who don't understand a word he typed are jumping up to defend his Berlin plant as "the first non-members-only cache" here. In my opinion he should start his own site if members of this one aren't welcome, but that's just me. As as alternative, maybe this site needs a new icon for "caches that site members aren't allowed to participate in".

Is it not? Then post a traditional cache. No problem.

I'm not CO Admin but I can answer. Yes, it is approved and it is OK. BTW did you read this thread? Yes. Did you? I read German, too. Do you? Hey, if you folks want to provide Berlin listings typed in German which cut out both premium and non-German reading members, who am I to argue? We all have our decisions to make. You folks understand the *Reason* for this "first non-member" listing, right? Y'all *understood* the "15 miles of bad road" run through the translator prior to approval, right? Just wanna see what page we're on and all.

BWAHAHAHAHAAAA!!!!! Fess up - You're a Tripoli member, aren't you?

Dear Co-Admin, What is the status of this cache listing? Is it OK to cite caches specifically for non-members, and cut members out of the site listings? This is approved?

Delete Me.

Hi, i´m the one who placed the "No Members Please" Cache. Only Tobsas understood the idea behind this Cache. Therefore i qoutet him, perhaps all others can get it too. To all who put a dnf to the cache: I will not delete these logs because its too funny see people screem out loud that didn´t see what the topic is. Dear Gernot90, I suggest Berlin start it's own webpage (vs dragging this American site into your personal politics). I served Germany in the US Army before the wall fell, and I remember those cold, soggy nights on East German Border Patrol in your name. I learned much. Firsthand. You owe me. I've kept up with you since; don't think I haven't. I know the score between our countries. This paragraph has nothing to do with geocaching save this thread YOU started, so I invite you to email me. We have much to discuss. As far as your listed cache on this site; IN MY OPINION: Take your political caches somewhere else. I have no use for them. At this political point in time you need to own up to your own problems. Americans have done all we can, and I for one won't be freely used to protect you further in your *hobby*. YOU own that problem. Play by *these* rules or play somewhere else. I've already done my part for your entire country, for serious reasons, and I played by the rules. In my American opinion, it's your turn. You and yours don't want to make a contribution - moreover want to shut out those that DO? Fine. Take it somewhere else. (If my vote counted, the American military would do the same). Thanks.

Hunt in a temperate environment. I'm with the GA and FL folks. (Sorry - Couldn't resist)

I only take Scouts. Most of them carry their own duct tape.

I like you. You're gonna be OK. It's just a thang. Don't dwell, just move forward. Living for Progress is good. Again: it's just a thang. Maybe it's easier with perspective - another of our hobbies is amateur rocketry. We have a crater named for us. Hey - you wanna come participate in a launch? (The way I see it, there's always room to screw up in one more hobby, right? It's always been my motto! )

What's your beat for caching? The laughter of children and the songs of the birds.

Oh yea, hope you read German... sd Oh well. If it hadn't been Germany it would have been France. (Sorry - couldn't resist)

Spam you're great, I think you and I would get along great. You're pretty rockin' yourself, Clay...and we already do, don't we? After all, we have an arm and a leg in common! Out of curiosity, were you a Scout? If so, are you still involved? If you're not involved, and if you ever find the time, you could really make a difference in some kid's lives by looking up your local Scout troop.

Great article, Doc Dean - Thanks for the link! It is duly bookmarked and will be Spammed.

*shudder* And finding brown recluses would be creepy, too!

I give. Why didn't the quotes work? Oh well. Y'all can follow it, I'm sure.