WATreasureHunters

As usual, someone has said what I was trying to communicate much more eloquently. Here's a link to Ron Judd's article on the subject... http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/outd...trailmix20.html The first three paragraphs communicate what I was trying to say so clumsily.

In the Kirkland murders, they have arrested the next door neighbor. In Skyway, they are now saying it may be gang-related or a holdover from a earlier arguement. Unfortunately, 95% of murders are people killing people they know. What I think prompted this discussion thread, is the fact that this (over a week later) seems VERY random. To paraphrase every murder mystery I have ever read: this case is getting cold. This also hits closer to home because we geocachers (at least I) enjoy the woods. To have this happen is disturbing. Now, the folks that shop at the Wal-mart were the kidnapping occured are also probably disturbed by that parking lot "issue." If I shopped at that Wal Mart, I would be disturbed by it. My point, people tend to identify with things they can connect with. Does anyone need to "get a grip?" I don't think so. I hike with my four year old daughter. Do I connect with a mother and daughter getting killed on a hike? Heck, yeah. Does it make me think twice abuot taking a hike? Yeah, right now it does. Should it? Probably not. Any concerns I have now, I probably should have had before. Anyhoo, my two cents. I REALLY wish they would catch this guy. And yes, I would be one of the ones highly shocked if it was a band of female snipers.

It's a little early for us to say if we can make it over or not, but congrats on your milestone!

I had actually heard, from the P-I I think, that murder-suicide had been ruled out. I did see that more information would be forthcoming this evening. Either way, it is a terrible thing. Selfishly, I do hope that it is not a random act.

PP, my thoughts exactly. I really hope you are right about the "randomness" of this.

Team Misguided, I have a question for you regarding this campsite; do you reserve a spot to go up there, or take a chance on an empty site, and if so, do you usually get a spot. I would love to go spur of the moment, but fear getting turned away... WATreasureHunters

I second that, WeightMan.

Cool!

ARGGG! How sad. This is one I wanted to do as well. Too many good caches, not enough time, I guess...

I aspire to Mingo. Congrats on that as well as the numbers!

Although I don't think this is the season, the area right around Lake Kachess is supposed to be prolific for chantrelles and some pine. If you go to the ranger station at North Bend, and tell them what you are looking for, they will guide you.

Congrats, GK360! I am coming up on 400 myself here soon, can't wait to know what that feels like.

Thanks, I did do that, but didn't realize the cache owner had to be the one. We have got it figured out now. Sarah WATreasureHunters

Hi all, I would like to adopt PC's Twin (GCR398) by jwakeman1. He is moving east of the mountains. He and I have already been in contact regarding this, we just need to make it official. Sarah WATreasureHunters

One question I have is: How is that revenue replaced? I mean, I will LOVE not having to pay that annual fee again, but does not having that fee mean that more parks will close, or have reduced amenities? Wasn't the reason the fee was started in the first place to help keep the parks afloat. Has something changed in the budjet in Olympia?

Congrats to all.

That's a HILL....

Yes, just wanted to add my two cents that this was a great event. Thanks to the organizers, your hard work was appreciated!!

We are looking forward to it!

I cache with a three year old, and have done almost all of the ones listed here. My daughter was thrilled with them all. Her faves were probably Very Bunny, Kubota Garden (lots of paths and I let her choose which way to go) and I'll Tell Ya, country Clubs and Cemetaries (she likes graveyards, what can I say). I haven't done the KirklandExplorer caches yet, but those sound like just the thing for the younger set. Good luck. Sarah WATreasureHunters

Go, go go, GOOOO! Gas is not coming down. It has gone up 17 cents a gallon just this week. Please be assured that when (IF) it does go down it won't sink as fast as it rises. So go now, while its not 3.50 a gallon. Also, Washington does have some of the most expensive gas in the country so once you get out of the state you may be good to go. Have fun, take lots of pictures, and think of me at Mingo. I plan to go someday...

Here's to tooting your own horn. We hit 200 at Hamilton Viewpoint. Whoohoooo!

"Existing maintained virtuals on geocaching.com will be grandfathered on the web site, but we do not guarantee they will remain listed forever. We'll see how Waymarking goes." This quote is from the FAQs. Please say that virtuals are not leaving the GC website as of Jan1. I love virtuals (good virts, I know there are some lame ones out there) and have bookmarked several to do. Now, in the middle of August I hear (and if it was announced earlier than this, it is my own fault for not being on the forums very often) that they may be gone as of the first of the year. Many of the virts I want to do are at Mt St Helens, Mt Rainer, in other words SEASONAL locations. I now have six good weekends to try to bag these virts with this cloud of Jan 1 hanging over my head. With life intruding, this is not going to happen. With the logs from the previous cachers, I will probably visit some of these sites someday anyway. Because a fellow cacher thought it was worthwhile, and many other cachers agreed with him or her. But, darn it, I want to do it as part of this game, obsession, hobby... I have actually logged a waypoint, for the old AV8R locationless, so I cannot say I am against waypointing. I just think the spirit of the hunt is represented in many of the viruals currently on GC, and they should be allowed to stay. Someone has already made the grandfathering arguement very well, so I won't repeat. My heartfelt plea is to allow virtuals to grandfather on the the GC site. If that is not going to happen long term, consider the seasonal aspect of many caches (not just virtuals, and extend the "deadline" for removal. Very respectfully submitted, WATreasureHunters PS..The letter, BTW, was hilarous!

I love virtual caches. I thought they were fun, and in the case of some of the locationless caches especially, very educational for those of us with kids. My 3 year old not only knows the US Flag now, because of hunting for one for a locationless, but also started noticing other flags, and now knows our state flag, the Canadian flag, the diver down flag, and the Oregon flag. It has opened up conversation with my 6 year old neice about POW/MIAs, and public art, just to name a few. I never saw the issue with them. If you didn't care for them, then don't do them. I have not been on the new waymarketing site, so I speak to that. I just think it may be a mistake to get rid of a very fun and interesting part of the game. A prime example of this would be the Dash for Cache locationless. What a great concept! Just my two cents...