TookDadAlong

Overall it is pretty inexpensive. I have a very basic GPSr ($75 brand new online [iFinderGo]). Of course there is gas and swag, but the only hidden cost is really lunch or ice cream in the summer.

If you want cheap + maps you need to consider the Lowrance Ifinder Go series. Comes with maps at about $75. Of course, we have to enter waypoints manually and getting one number wrong does indeed make it hard to find a cache!

I cache with my 12 (almost 13) year old daughter all the time. 10 yo son comes alongs some of the time. Have taken Cub Scouts, tiny nephews, Cub Scout's younger sisters etc. In our area there are lots of fairly easy caches. The kids love the swag!

From my home town of Lincoln University, PA we get 4,971 in a 100 mile raduis (That includes both Philadelphia and Baltimore).

Always look at at least one map!

I don't usually look at the road, but the other person in the front seat generally does. I hope.

Dunno what I'd do. On our first 34 caches, we've only met one other cacher, and I wasn't there. He was very helpful and provided a clue, which I think the others would have appreciated. I emailed him to thank him and signed as Dad, but my email account reviels most or my real name!

Once the GPS says we're within 20 feet or so, I usually lean against a tree and let the kids find it!

Ammo cans are very cool.

I typically don't trade, but my kids do! And I always cache with them. Our rule is take ONE thing and leave something better. But, I agree, that the kewlness factor is more important than the cash value. When we come across a cache in need of some help, we'll put in a handful of items from the goody bad and log it something like TN, Left: Wind chimes, stickers and other stuff we can't remember.

I don't cache for the loot, but my kids almost always find something they want to trade for... I don't think that I've ever taken anything from a cache, but when I do, it will be: • some cool sig item • something that defines the area of the cache (a postcard, keychain, pennant, refrigerator magnet, or other tacky souvineer store item) • batteries if I need them at the time, my camera seems to eat them • likewise, band-aids or bug spray if I needed it (I should be better prepared!) • Or what would be really cool, would be a vintage item that defined the area of the cache (like a 1950s, or older, post card or post mark from the nearest town, or maybe a baseball card of a local hero)

Don't know how well those red coffee containers hold up in cold weather, but they have to do better than some of those disposable glad ware ones, don't they?

No fender benders here, but the term "Geocaching turn" is easily understood by my wife and kids! You know, that's when I'm exploring new territory and come to the turn a little quicker than expected; slam on the brakes; then take the turn a little faster than I should have. Or alternatively, when I realize that there's no way in he*$ that I can make the turn safely so drive on up the road and try to make a three-point turn on some narrow road with bad slight lines, etc. ect. Of course, there is a very funny commercial for some product I can't possibly identify that goes something like this ELECTRONIC VOICE: Turn left Background noise: CRASH (As car drives through window) ELECTRONIC VOICE: In fifty feet.

OK, so sometimes I lurk. But not really, I have a few posts, just don't have much to say. You know, Mom always said, "If you can't say something nice....

US Navy, a long time ago. USS Independence (CV-62) 1981-1985. I'll bet it would be different today... "Sir, based on a good fix, Navigation holds us on course." "My iFinder concurs!" Guess, I should sign this one as "LT Dad" Or for you Navy types, I guess that would be MISTER Dad! (Edited for spelling, what do you expect from the ex-PAO?)

I've received help from both an owner by email and a non-owner cacher just passing by an urban micro. In neither case did they ruin the hunt by pointing and saying "there it is" just a helpful clue. Didn't cut into my fun any...isn't that what its all about?

Don't be afraid to take a look at some of the maps! I found my first 5 caches without GPS, using the maps alone!

Both my kids are in Scouts and the Cub Scouts were doing an orienteering event. I noticed a link from the orienteering group's website to geocaching.com, and as they say, the rest is history.

IMHO there's no need to ban micros, if you don't like them, don't do them. I'll do them if I'm nearby, they can be fun. I don't care how you play as long as I'm still having fun, Don't ask, don't tell!

51? Not for me. I have trouble making it through shaving every morning! Not to mention that waiting for dial-up is killing me!

Too cheap for an iPod, so in the car or truck on way to cache, it is country FM thanks to my daughter who got her taste in music from me, not Mom! Once outside the car/truck it is usually me asking her, "What does your GPS say?"

OBTW, I've taken several kids (my own, the neighbors, the Cub Scout Pack) geocaching!

I've checked out tc.com's website, but didn't find any near me. But to each his own, I don't really care how others are playing, I'm still having too much fun!

I don't do it. Nor do I want to do it. It's not that I'm old-fashioned, I'm just cheap! I still use dial-up!

Both kids are into Scouts. The Cub Scout have been going to an orienteering event since we were Tigers. The Girl Scout (now a Cadette) went along. I was checking out the Orienteering web site, and they had a link to geocaching.com. I guess, they'd say the rest is history! Great family fun. We found our first 5 or so with just the maps, but of course broke down and bought a GPSr.