TheArtisan

I'm dealing with a similar issue on a travel gem, Diamond In The Rough. The only difference is, I know exactly who has it (As far as their geocaching name)vshopandnightbandits. It appears they also have a few other travel bugs in their possession as well that they haven't moved for a while. They've actually moved on a couple of other travel bugs before, so they know the process. Their just choosing not to follow through. I get kind of worried after four months, but try to always understand that circumstances sometimes intervene and take someone out of caching for a while. In the instance of my travel gem, the individual(s) who picked it up were caching on a regular basis afterwards. In my opinion there's no excuse for them to keep my trackable, or the others they picked up, for such an extended time. People can call a couple of emails stalking if they want, but when someone steals something from you, that just isn't right. It would be nice to see this particular issue over all, not my specific issue, addressed legally at some point...providing one could show who took it. I mean after all, if I were able to walk into the Groundspeak store, then take a couple of travel bugs, gems, etc... I don't think they would take to kindly to it. I most certainly don't think they would "let it go." They would call it theft, and prosecute me to the full measure of the law.

Smalls to regulars with interesting swag. The treasure hunter in me likes to walk away with something. I prefer a cache of some sort that has interesting custom swag, perhaps something artistic, even if it's an artist trading card.

** Sniff ** Oh man that's terrible, and I know just what to do with it! I hit a patch of yellow jackets while mowing. This stuff is so potent, not only will it kill them, it should remove the yellow right off their backs! In return for such a rancid gift, I leave my prized swag--a thousand year old petrified booger, tightly sealed in a glass case!

I usually leave polymer clay charms, or hand-crafted items.

True, but I was really just venting after a flooded cache I found today with tangy taffy in it. Last month I found a cache srtewn for yards as the local critters had gotten the find before me. I am curious about something here. What upset you more, the flooded cache or the candy in the flooded cache? Personally, it would have been the flooded cache for me. It's not always the CO's fault. Sometimes the lid doesn't get latched back correctly, but still, it is frustrating.

TeamR0cket, I live in Marmet, West Virginia. I have only seen one geocache with a multi-tool; however, I have read a few post where several in the area have exchanged one. I don't personally see anything wrong with leaving a multi-tool for cache trade. If you have a specific cache in mind, contact the cache owner to see if it would be okay. Be prepared, it is up to the cache owner to decide whether or not it stays there. So, if you don't mind taking that risk...go ahead. My two children both own a multi-tool equipped with a knife. They have come in very handy while geocaching. As a parent it is my responsibility to teach them how to properly handle possible dangerous utilities attached. Furthermore, it's also my responsibility to watch over them if they're too young to be out alone--you never know whats going to be around or inside a cache.

My children and I were walking along a park trail. I heard the two of them scream ahead of me, followed by, SNAKE! As I approached I was confronted by a three foot copperhead. They had stepped right past it, or rather jumped over it. It was pretty feisty. I took my walking stick and scurried him off the trail down the hill. It's illegal to kill snakes in parks anyway. Had it been anywhere else though, it would have been pushing daisies.

Sword Fern, I think this could be a wonderful event-game. It's creative; however, a bit too direct for a gathering per say. If you were going to try something like this, in my opinion it would be more successful if it was less "head to head." 1. Create a group of geocaches complete with swag, various color flags (numbered of course), pen, and logbook. 2. Announce first, second, third, and fourth place prizes. This can be unregistered geocoins, a five dollar bill, etc... 3. The game needs some rules: Your must find each cache on the list, you must sign the log book, you must collect a flag from each geocache, Teams can be of any size, even one. By providing each cache with swag, your allowing others to participate passively. Make the swag unique, creative, and fun. You could even hand out ribbons or something for participation. This way everyone is able to participate, and no one is left idle. If someone is left idle, it will be their own fault. Bring a few coolers with soda. Grill some dogs. Have a good time.

Hey I think its great everyone else is listing alternate resources to find cache containers. If we can find reliable places then we're in good shape! Appreciate everyone's input.

A while back I was looking around for ammo cans for a new cache. I wanted something local, but nothing was close by. I took my wife's advice and ordered online to get one. I came to www.armyspurplusstore.com . Im always skeptical about ordering online, but I always give credit where it is due. They were very timely in getting the order to me, and when the ammo cans arrived (.30 cal and .50 cal) they were in good shape, seals intact, etc... Just wanted to give everyone a referance of a safe place to order from, as far as I can tell. Happy caching!

I see you have some caches under your belt. You could also write about your favorite experiences as well. Would be happy to fill out a questionnaire.

Thanks alot WVAngler, really appreciate the information. I will do some research on the areas. My wife was telling me, for the time you have been looking for an ammo box, you could have just ordered one online...sigh...she is right. I just like to handle what I am going to buy I suppose. If I come across anything while I am out looking, I will post it. Thanks again everyone.

That was the funniest thing I've read all day! Thanks. (And accurate as well.) I remember my first geocache trip with my kids. We had downloaded a group of caches, and were very excited,heck I was excited. (still really enjoy caching btw) I also remember having a "swag" bag. Of course we didn't call it swag back then, just treasures. Most of my inventory was a group of polymer clay trinkets I had made myself (now a sort of calling card for me), my daughter carried unique marbles and cartoon figurines, my son was a little more serious in his choice and liked figures and trinkets made of metal (loves coins), glass gems, etc... We must have searched for over 3 hours for our first cache. We were WAY off. We hadn't developed a "geosense" yet, or where to look. When we did find it, they were so proud of themselves. I remember reading the "letter" in the cache stating what the game/sport was to non-cachers. It was exciting! We signed the log with one name, with our choice of three good working pens, on a newly replaced dry logbook (right next to the old dry logbook). The swag we encountered was important to the process. To think that there were treasure troves of caches hidden all over our city, right under our noses, and we passed them every single day. Just wow... We wanted to find more, not to mearly sign the logbook, but to see the interesting things inside, to go through the trading process again. At that moment I knew we were hooked. And while our GPS might have been almost dead, it wasn't...we had also prepared for the "skeeters"...we walked away with some minor scratches from thorns, and clutching not only our own swag, but our newly found treasures. The first time the kids found their first nano, they were severely disappointed, and so was I to an extent. I had to explain to them that some caches will be this way... Now I want you to think about what they had rolling around in their mind, "Some caches will be disappointing". I knew this fact the moment we started looking for more caches to hunt. They would say, "whats the size?". I would say nano or micro. They would say "Oh well maybe another time dad.". So then I would say oh here is a regular, or a small, and they would be all over it. I have to admit, back then when this was rolling around in their head, I was thinking the same thing. Seeing items in a cache is interesting, and while nanos and micros are unique in their size, they didn't excite me as much. I would avoid them and go for the smalls and regulars. Not because of my children, but because of my own interest as well. It wasn't until much later that we realized that some cachers actually had the forsight to want to share places with beautiful scenery, or geographical points. While the nanos and micros still didn't interest the kids as much, I researched the areas even more and what people had to say about their experiences while there. I wanted to know if the micro or nano was worth the trip. Numbers are nice, but caching isn't about just numbers. Its about seeing whats in the box (swag, TB, coins, etc...), to appreciate and see those who have come to sign the log before you, and to view the most beautiful places I have ever had the priviledge to see. I have since tried to restore their faith in the smaller caches by creating interesting containers for micros and smalls. I used polymer clay on one to create a steampunk feel on a micro. I also placed polymer clay trinkets inside, and a fun scroll as a log. They were interested to find it once I hid it. Another small cache I did had double compartments, and the whole thing coated in cloth. I made the log inside a scroll, and partially coated it with the same cloth. I placed the whole thing in a double freezer bag with a couple pens to protect it, and then placed it in an area that didn't get wet. I keep a close eye on it to make sure it stays dry. So anyway... your discription...not so accurate. To answer the post questions; we trade equal swag, we restock our caches on a regular basis, and stick to the theme of the cache as close as we can (meaning we sign the log in the theme, and if we don't have themed items for the cache we don't take anything either.). As far as the kid / swag factor, I suppose I have a bit of both. Im a kid at heart, and love to see smiles on little faces. I honestly think swag is important to the game. When it all began, it was sort of on that basis. "Hey I hid this stuff here, at this location, come and get it". Just my opinion.

Im currently looking for a couple of ammo boxes. I live in the Charleston WV area, and I was wondering if anyone could recommend somewhere close to purchase some. Thanks in advance!

Easy enough... The neighbor in question already knows something about whats going on, and exactly what it is he's asking to be removed. Just explain to him that there are measures in place for dealing with such things, and that a message will be posted to the CO. Then, stay true to your word, and leave the CO a message (note) explaining what you encountered. But honestly, other than trying to get the neighbor involved in geocaching, there isn't much more you can do if your not the CO.

Just thought you should know when doing this, the sculpy is good stuff, but doesn't quite harden as good as the primo and fimo stuff. Im not sure what sort of craft stores you have around you, but Michaels carries most polymer clay supplies. They also sell their brand of polymer clay, which is okay in a pinch, but doesn't quite stand up as well when hardened. Hope this helps.

I personally leave polymer clay charms that,or jewelry such as ear rings or bracelets created with wire I craft myself. Im a craftaholic anyway, and have several that I do. I don't leave my name or anything on the charms or jewelry, as to leave the finder the option to do with it as they please. I suppose a true signature item would be one with your name of some sort on it, but I haven't done this because I am looking for something in metal. I would be happy with aluminum, but minting can be a costly thing to have done. Still, I have had some contact me about the clay charms asking if that was me, so they must be leaving an impact somewhere...

Regarding the wet log; Leave the cache as is to prevent damage to log. (In larger caches logs are easier to replace, smaller ones could get damaged.) If I wanted to log it as found I would take a picture. (I usually have a digital camera with me, others may have a phone) Log cache as found, uploading the photo I took as proof of find. (Otherwise come back to the cache after the CO has done maintenance.) Log a note on the cache that it needs maintenance. regarding the neighbor; I agree with many that the integrity of the sport we call geocaching is at stake here. We have to keep its' reputation in mind at all times, otherwise it could get ugly. So looking at the rules for creating a cache I found the following to perhaps help... Guidelines that Apply to all Cache Types For all physical caches and waypoints, think carefully about how your container and the actions of geocachers will be perceived by the public. Be respectful when considering cache and waypoint placements in areas which are highly sensitive to the extra traffic that would be caused by vehicles and humans (examples may include archaeological or historic sites or cemeteries). For example, a cache hidden in full view of office or apartment building windows exposes a geocacher to being seen by someone who may think the cache search looks suspicious. Your cache may be hidden on public property with permission, but there may be concerned residents on the other side of that property line. And, while an ammo box or PVC pipe may be a great container if hidden deep in the woods, it may cause alarm if discovered in an urban setting. A clear plastic container or a microcache may be a better choice. In busy areas, avoid containers that look suspicious, including attachment materials like wires or tape. To reduce confusion and alarm when a cache is discovered accidentally, clearly label your container on the outside with appropriate information to say it is a geocache. Cover over any military markings with paint or a geocache sticker. Include an explanatory "stash note" inside your cache. Common sense in selecting hiding spots and containers can reduce the risk of your cache being perceived as a danger to those who are unaware of our sport. Hope this helps.