JOEK

JoeK & Maddog, A word about the rangers picking up any caches they come across. Go ahead and jump to conclusions, we found ten (10!) of our cache containers at the Sterling Forest State Park headquarters this afternoon. Laurel Meadow Ponds was there, and Ghost Town, also Ghost Towns replacement. They also rounded our earlier Indian hill caches (wondered where they all went). Worst of all, they took The Haunted Boy Scout Camp cache (we really liked that one). We met with Park Manager James R. Gell, who seemed a reasonable guy. He explained some of their concerns: ecoligically fragile areas, wackos placing dangerous things in caches that are not maintained (he mentioned poisons and explosives, and seemed surprised that we'd never heard of such a thing) and cache containers that are easily opened and exposed to wildlife. He also gave us a draft copy of the proposed Permit and Maintenance of Geocaches in State Parks. Local administrations will discuss this document and send their comments to Albany where all will be decided. Then there will be the printing of the permit applications and stickers. It sounded like a process that will take many months. There are another 5 or 6 containers at the headquarters building that did not belong to us, so anyone who is missing their caches go and pick them up. James R. Gell's telephone number is (845-351-5920).

Johnboy, They took our Ghost Town and Laurel Meadow Ponds caches. Ann called the ranger who was responcible and was told he chose them because they were easy (each is only about a 5 minute walk). It seems he used it as a training exercize for a new ranger. like, go to these coordinates and bring back whatever is there. We are going to the new luxurious HQ in the morning to try to get permits, we'll see what happens. Who paid for that wonderful new building anyway? Could it be us?

Joek & Maddog, It's not going to be as easy as archiving the caches and waiting. We got an e-mail tonight informing us that 2 of our caches were removed by Sterling Forrest Rangers. We can pick them up at the park hq. Why are they doing this?

JoeK & Maddog, According to the new NY Admin., Caches are not allowed on the AT. He/she disallowed our Spanish Mine cache because we suggested using the AT to get there. The cache was not placed on the AT but at the bottom of a cliff 60 ft. below the trail. We went back and moved the container 300 ft. to the south. Also changed the cache page, telling prospective finders not to use the AT in their approach. Unfortunately, the cache is not at the mine sight anymore, but 250 ft. away.

CONGRATULATIONS! WE JUST GOT BACK FROM A CACHE TRIP TO CONNECTICUT, AND WHOSE NAME DO YOU THINK WE FOUND ABOVE OURS IN EVERY LOG-BOOK? GOOD LUCK, JOEK & MADDOG

Joek & Maddog, We've seen a lot of things since we've been geocaching, but we've never seen Stayflooy with out his smile. Congratulations!

Joek & Maddog, Thanks one and all. Been doing this more than 2 years now and still haven't met a geocacher we didn't like!

Joek & Maddog, Congratulations to a person who embodies everything good about this crazy obsession we all share

Thanks for the kind words. Everyone we've met on the trails so far has been great. We are planning two new caches in the Monroe area, and since you've all been so nice we will make them really easy (just kidding). Thanks again.