Difficult Run

Let me chime in here for a sec. I believe it is important to remember NOT to trash any agency or group about errors regarding recoveries on this thread. Remember, we are all human and everyone makes mistakes. Personally, I enjoy finding marks which haven't been logged for a long time. Here are three which haven't been noted for almost 75 years, and are just outside our Nation's Capital. HV1752 HV1755 HV1762 - Mitch -

Ok. Dumbaşş question. Probably been covered somewhere or another. There have been times where I could only receive 4-6 satellites on a clear day and low/no overhead obstructions. Then there have been days where I get a lock on 12 of 12 satellites with several of them LOW on the horizon. (Ideal conditions) Is there a way to predict when these 'ideal" conditions happen??

Adding music to a webpage is TACKY. Counting Down from 37... 21st geocacher to say FORGET IT!

Normally, I print out a copy of the Topozone map (USGS), and scale it to whatever meets my needs. However, there is a website where you can download almost all the USGS maps for the East Coast in a TIFF format. Downloads are free. Libre Map Project - Mitch -

That's waaaaay too funny! What are the odds of THAT happening?? LOL

Closing this thread

Greetings to all, Just received a response from the owner of the Letterbox at Great Falls National Park. The owner has graciously offered to move the box and retire the listing for it, as they were not aware that the box was located on NPS property. I applaud their decision. There is a second box nearby on NPS property, but due to the responses I've received on this subject, the best course of action would be to allow this thread to close and take no further action. I'll keep the thread open for one more day to allow for anyone to add their comments. Letterboxing and Geocaching are under fire in South Carolina at this time. The right thing to do now is to put our best foot forward and shine a positive light on our combined hobbies. Hopefully, geocaching and letterboxing may permitted on NPS land sometime in the future. I've carefully weighed each response that was received on this thread, and it appears to be a delicate subject for most people. I want to take this opportunity to apologize if I've offended anyone. Happy Hunting, - Mitch -

There is an advantage to having your GPSr in the photo. 1) It adds scale, (some marks are non-standard size). 2) It also adds proof of lat/long, within the accuracy of your receiver. I've recovered a few benchmarks, not to the scale of the heavy hitters like Artman, BDT, Seventhings and others. (You guys rock!) But of the marks I have recovered, picture quality of the marks has been excellent and the GPSr reading is there to boot. I do agree that a good quality photograph of the mark is essential. Cheers! Mitch

Sadly, True Love can't be navigated by a gps unit, But please don't fret. There are plenty of fellows, myself included that would love to meet a nice person like yourself, who loves geocaching. Anyone who would cut their hair for children with an illness shows a true and kind soul. You will meet your Prince someday, I promise....

Good work in finding the disk. Since the benchmark has clearly been disturbed, the disk itself has no value in terms of elevation. I would place the disk in a secure location until the NGS has reviewed your report and logged it as destroyed. (Edited for grammar)

Sounds like a fun idea. Some things to consider: 1) A disclaimer on the risk involved by reaching the island. 2) Making sure the cache is anchored in some form or fashion, i.e. you don't want a flood to carry the cache downstream. I'm sure there are other things I haven't thought of....

Geocaching is a great hobby for all folks, especially kids. If a fun toy brings joy to the kids, so why not accomodate them?? It's not the monetary value of the items in the cache, but the "hunt" for the cache. Let's all have fun!

Thanks for everyone's input, especially Morgan's Marauders. Yes, the letterboxes are on GFNP property, on the North side of Difficult Run and East of Georgetown Pike. I've sent an email to letterbox-usa-owner@yahoogroups.com describing the situation. Hopefully, I'll get a response quickly. If there is no response from letterboxing.org or the owners of the letterbox, I'll call this to the attention of Park officials. Again, thanks for everyone's opinion.

I actually stumbled across this letterbox while looking for a nearby benchmark. It is in the Great Falls National Park. Difficult Rock Troll I signed the logbook saying I had stumbled on this. Later I e-mailed the owner of the box and told him/her that it was illegal to place a letterbox on National Park property. This letterbox is just downstream, also on GFNP Property. I've also contacted the owner. Paws for Thought I've not received any responses from either party. Your thoughts on what I should do?

I also have a plain yellow Etrex and am looking for a good price on a serial cable. Can you let me know where you purchased it and the price?? Many thanks - Mitch -

HV1761 Looking downstream on the Potomac River with Cabin John/American Legion Bridge in background.

My father worked for the U.S.G.S. for 32 years. We were in the field for about 5 yrs and I helped him set many benchmarks in Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan and Arkansas. I asked him if he ever recovered damaged marks. "Yes I have. There was a farmer who destroyed a mark while plowing." The farmer asked Dad to walk around to the back of the barn, showed him the BM which was dug up. "I've been saving it so it can be returned to the government." Another farmer did the same thing, but thought it looked more appropriate imbedded in the fireplace mantle. I suppose that one had been stamped with a family or place name. It doesn't happen often, but it does happen. Cheers, Mitch

Thank you - Well said.

Sorry, John, I don't agree with you. I remember those "chick" pamplets. Jeeezus! I hated those d@mm things. They are carefully crafted as a little cartoon book to appeal to small children intent on putting fear and guilt in them. What kind of Christian message is that?? Those pamplets aren't allowed in school, so why should we allow them in a cache?? Again, Let's leave Religion, Politics and propoganda OUT of caches... We are bombarded by all types of ads in our daily lives. Caching should be fun, not a way for others to "spread the word". Peace.

Let's leave Religion, Politics and propoganda OUT of caches... We are bombared by all types of ads in our daily lives. Caching should be fun, not a way for others to "spread the word". Peace.