P38manCdn

Sorry Folks, As of July 15, all items are now gone. Thanks for your interest. P38manCdn

Hi folks, I am not geocahcing any more. Just finished some "spring-cleaning" and have gathered up my geocaching stuff. There are 4-5 cache containers plus lots of goodies to go in them (one gallon and five gallon containers, ammo can, etc.). I also have approximately 20 GeoCoins. If you want them, please email me or leave me a message here for the next few weeks. Thanks. P38manCdn

Hi folks, My sincere appologies for the delay. We've had a death in the family recently. The event notice was sent in this morning at 0730. Hopefully it will be up in the next 2-3 days.

Thanks... I appreciate all the advice... but I was hoping someone in my area (southern Ontario) would have these and I'd pay them a couple bucks to update the GPS for me. I don't see the need to buy all that stuff at the prices on the internet... and I'd never make the McGyver stuff work.

LOL vagabond, Thats a store bought die cast model -- comes fully assembled..... .... took me an hour to get it out-of-the-box....... lol

Hi all, Anyone in the Kitchener area have the Magellan 315 data cable, the software update and know how to do the update?

??? crafty ??? -- NOT !!! -- I need a 10 page manual to figure out which end of the screwdriver to hold....

Hi all, Anyone in the Kitchener area have the data-cable and the 315 software update ffor the Magellan 315? I'd appreciate being able to update my GPS.

ATTENTION -- ANOTHER UPDATE After three trips to the new area for the event, most research has been completed: -- the event will be very different this time; (and... I already have an idea for the 2007 event) -- the agenda and most instructions for event have been compiled; -- the morning gathering place for instructions is selected; -- the noon gathering place for further instructions is selected; -- two gathering places have been selected for dinner; -- final selection will take place shortly or at the morning or noon gathering; Happy caching P38manCdn

Hi folks, Hoping someone in the Riverside area can help me. I need a set of coordinates for a statue to create a virtual cache. Could you please leave a mesage here if you are willing to drive to the statue within roughly 5-6 miles of Riverside. Thanks P38manCdn

The OGA executives/Board of Directors should be covered by "Corporate Officers Insurance" and if not -- they should obtain it. Check with some insurance companies.

ATTENTION ---- IMPORTANT UPDATE OK folks, I have spent some time in the event area conducting some research for our February event. I have obtained information on some places to dine for lunch and dinner. Would you please let me know which you prefer..... 1 -- a semi-formal fine dining room. (i.e. hotel, golf club, winery) 2 -- an average family dining restaurant. (i.e. Swiss Chalet, Montana) 3 -- a pub style restaurant. (i.e. Kelsey's, Eastside Marrio's) 4 -- a fast food place (i.e. Harvey's, MacDonalds, Pizza Hut) Remember #4 won't have "the good stuff to drink." P-38manCdn

You're right TT -- it was Keep it Beautiful -- my mistake -- but close.

The other Ontario licence plate motto was -- Keep it Clean. Maybe both are good for us -- Cache in, trach out -- one motto for each side of the coin.

As an after thought -- I've seen those logging roads numerous times and seen the occasion truck loaded with logs, and this has been going on for decades..... Clearly, it is about time government stepped in and truly protected the parks. The logging industry does more damage in one day than all the geocachers do year long. Their "protection argument" just doesn't hold water -- it protects the logging industry, not the"people's parks" -- clearly money talks.

Ok Folks -- Hoover and Root said to stop, take a deep breath, and think a second -- and that includes H-n-R. Yes, maybe we are being a little too harsh on the Rangers who do a super job and get paid little for it. However, they act politically when they need to, and not all their polical actions are of their doing -- it comes down from their ministry and Queen's Park. The last few posts here have discussed both sides of the "law suit/waiver issue" and seem to be polarized -- even though both sides have what seem to be reasonable concerns. I have visited Algonquin Park on and off since from the early 1960's to the mid 1980's and have never had to "sign a waiver" to go on two week canoe-trips -- and I'm not aware of other groups in society who have had to either. This "waiver business" is nothing more than a smoke screen by the ministry to stop Geocaching in parks because they see Geocaching as large groups of people trampling all over "their parks." First -- there are already "large groups of people" hiking and canoing in the parks -- and many do not stick to the prepared trails -- they go "exploring" off the beaten path because that is the nature of man-kind -- to explore -- to experience and see new things -- to go where others have not -- to discover for yourself. I've encountered people way-way off normal trails while walking along rocky shorelines or cliffs in Algonquin, so for "the parks" to say geocachers would be the only ones "stepping off the trials" is rediculous. (a feeble excuse that doesn't hold in the light of day) Second -- these are not "their parks" -- they are "our parks" -- belonging to the people of Ontario. Granted the rangers have been given the authority to look after them, but the parks are still "the people's" (yet, why is it the parks have for years been allowing the logging industry to rape our parks -- becasue the "public entrance fees" charged by the parks do not cover the cost of patroling/maintaining the parks. Clearly, they have taken a hard stand because "they don't want to give up any ground/or money" in trying to protect "their parks." I can agree to a certain extent -- give an inch and someone will always take a mile -- but that happens with anything human. Although, I think most geocachers do have some common sense -- we aren't jumping off cliffs with parachutes...... in the middle of nowhere. (as an example) Third -- the issue of rescues is a serious concern -- (I know, my career was in Emergency Services) and those people that need paramedics because of stupidity should pay the total cost of those medical treatments and rescues ($10-30-50,000.) when they have broken the rules and strayed off the trails and campsites. Too many people think they can go anywhere -- do anything -- without any consequences -- except a skinned knee or elbow -- WRONG. The "extreme sports" are getting all the tv time and the young kids think its cool to do wild and crazy things. It's the media images (driven by advertising dollars) that fuels the stupidity and non-thinking-knee-jerk-reactions in this world. If we need warning signs posted every ten feet to state "don't do this-and-that," whats the sense of having parks filled with "DO NOT DO" signs and no people. "Parks" have to realise they can't be responsible -- every second -- for every single person who enters a park -- there aren't enough rangers for a "one-on-one" chaperon plan - just like their aren't enough police and paramedics to follow people around for protection. However, I do believe geocahcers have been targeted because their "sport/activity" -- in many cases -- takes them "off the trail" to hide and hunt caches. There is something to be said for virtual caches (on the trails?) in parks with just a log book, and I could live with that, however, the problem is finding a nice spot and protecting the cache log. If you look at some of the trinkets/stuff (crap/garbage) left in caches, its a wonder this sport has grown at all. It's only because of the "treasure hunt" concept and "the thrill of the hunt" that people, families, and individuals wander off following the compass (or treasure map) -- as did Columbus, Magellan, De Soto, etc..... I hope this sounds a little more to the center and not toward either end of the extreme -- not that your discussions here are extreme -- maybe just a little polarized. Overall -- I think this is a good discussion.

Two more cents and we may have enough for a Canadian Looney -- 48 cents short of an American buck. A number of good suggestions have already been presented, however here is the official list of Ontario's symbols... -- Provincial tartan: Official Tartan of Ontario (http://www.gov.on.ca/mbs/english/about/emblems_symbols/emblems.html#Tartan) -- Provincial flower: White trillium, Trillium grandiflorum -- Provincial bird: Common Loon, Gavia immer -- Provincial tree: Eastern White Pine, Pinus strobus -- Provincial mineral: Amethyst -- Provincial motto: Ut incepit fidelis sic permanet (Loyal she began, loyal she remains) -- Provincial symbol: Trillium flower -- Provincial Coat of Arms: A sprig of three maple leaves appear on the shield of Ontario’s coat of arms. The shield is supported by a moose and a “Canadian deer,” or white-tailed deer. A black bear appears above the shield. (http://www.kids.premier.gov.on.ca/english/tourqueen/symbols.asp) The Loon is also the official bird of Minnesota so if we are going to use it -- lets get it on our Geocoin before the Minnesota cachers do. Clearly, we have the opportunity to place a number these symbols on both sides of the coin. The problem will be to do it with or without a map of Ontario using a forest/lake scene and the Geocache logo. I'm no artist, but I'm sure these symbols can be utilitzed in a beautiful wilderness scene. Maybe we should use some of the other "not so recognized" symbols -- let people know..... we know. I think the two sides can be utilized for wilderness and urban symbols -- wilderness -- animals, birds, etc. -- urban -- CN Tower, Niagara Falls, Welland Canal/ship coming out of a lock The REAL problem will be... on which side to place the Geocache logo -- lol. Maybe have half on one side and half on the other -- as if the Geocache logo is wrapped around the edge of the coin.-- representing both wilderness and urban.

In answer to your question -- northernpenguin -- it will be somehere in southern Ontario. After holding this event in the Kitchener area for three years, people know all the good hiding spots, so I'm moving it to a new location and see how it works out.

ATTENTION -- This is an "early warning notice" to an event in February 2006. The venue for the 2006 event has been changed (from past years) to a new location, so watch for the publishing of the official Cache Page in December 2005 -- you'll know it when you see it. If you think last year's event was (use descriptive terms here...) different, unusual, thrilling, exciting, erotic, breathing-taking, heart-stopping, funny, embarassing... leaving you just plain breathless -- panting for more... then you'll love the event in 2006 -- can you say improved, enhanced, value-added, further endowed, augmented. This event involves teams of two -- usually couples -- with or without children in attendance -- children are welcome -- but please remember, this is a full day event. (Please note -- for safety while driving to the caches... one person drives and the other navigates. People can get together ("partner-up") via notices here if you don't have a regular Geocaching partner.) Be sure to bring: 1) a full tank of gas. 2) spare set of car keys -- and don't lock them in your car! 3) clip-board; 4) large note pad; 5) two pens and/or pencils (incase one fails); 6) your trusty -- ? -- (use descriptive term here...) !*#@%&! GPS unit; 7) a partner in "crime" -- or some other "descriptive term....." 8) snacks, drinks, and other nourishing refreshments. 9) a sense of humour and adventure -- ok..... for some -- a kinky state of mind. (and we know who those people are (wink-grin). Why all the secrecy? -- if you hadn't noticed, secrecy is a big part of Geocaching. Besides, it keeps you out of trouble by checking Geocaching.com I think that covers the preliminary information...... more to come with the official notice in December. Can you spell..... a-n-t-i-c-p-a-t-i-o-n.....? Happy Caching everyone, P38manCdn

After reading the posts here, it seems clear that Ontario Parks officials don't want any form of "orgnaized" hiking or enjoyment of/in Ontario parks. The posts here concerning the "no notice/no consultation/no reply" from Ontario Parks and their unannounced release of a draft policy paper without further consultation and discussion with OGA (the "blind siding), is clearly an attempt to restrict organized access and all but quashes geocaching in Ontario Parks. That principle is mute given the newspaper article about the accessive and blatant logging and logging roads in Agonquin Park. Clearly Ontario Parks wants it both ways -- Big-Bucks from industry, while restricting public access so the public doesn't find out what's really going on in our parks. Obviously, if OGA (geocachers) can't pay a couple million bucks a year to Ontario Parks (like the logging industry), geocaching doesn't get access -- pure and simple. Hmmm... do you think we have another democrate government (and its agencies/departments) operating under the principles of dictatorship?

Hello Hubbs ... you can arrive for 1230 for the instructions and the start of the hunt. The morning coffee geochat and the lunch are optional if you want to show up earlier and meet some other geocachers. P38manCdn

An official cache page has been created for the 2005 Cupid's Valentine's Cache Event. However I understand there maybe some problem with the Geocache website and the display of cache pages. Please check for the cache page -- if it is not found the information in this notice constitutes the Cupid's Cache Event for 2005.

OFFICAL EVENT NOTICE SUNDAY FEBRUARY 13, 2005. PLACE -- N 43-23-657 W 80-25-996 AGENDA 1 -- Wake-up Coffee -- Tim Hortons 10 - 1130 AM 2 -- Brunch -- Bogey's Rustic Grill -- 1130 -- 1230 Noon 3 -- Instructions and Hunt -- Bogey's Rustic Grill -- 1230 4 -- Hunt Results and Prize Exchange -- anytime after 3 pm. (when everyone returns) 5 -- Bogey's is having their Valentine's Dinner Reservations from Friday to Monday, so we may have to have our Cache Dinner at some other place. 6 -- Please be sure to bring a prize (gift wraping is not required) for the prize exchange -- please not more than $20. NOTE -- the hunt this year is another "off the wall" idea...... go figure.

PRELIMINARY NOTICE The Third Annual Cupid's Caches Valentines Day Event Set for either Saturday February 12 or Sunday February 13. For those who have gotten so cold on this event, they couldn't smooch with their mates -- my appologies. Suggestion -- lots more smooching....... keep dem lips warmed up........ For those of you who haven't experienced this event, watch this notice for updates and changes and make plans to join us -- we like to see new faces PLAN A -- Some form of Geocaching.... PLAN B -- Everyone sits around telling romantic/erotic stories while downing shooters.... and smooching with your mate...... PLAN C -- Cancel it so everyone can stay home and enjoy some of that good ol' "cabin fever" in bed with strawberries, whipped cream and champaign..... OK..... OK -- I REALLY DO HAVE A PLAN..... This notice will be revised to an OFFICIAL NOTICE during the first week of January 2005. Best Wishes For the Holiday Season P-38manCdn

-- 12:30 -- Saturday, January 24 -- I just emailed everyone that posted here. Hopefully, the emails will reach everyone. Thanks for the interest and comments. The virtual caches are all selected so be sure you have fresh batteries or spares. See you there. P38manCdn.