T4TH

You're telling me that for every trackable shirt, hat, etc. that was sold at GeoWoodstock IX, those vendors purchased travel bug tags, and then took those numbers to incorporate into their clothing line? I'm sorry, but I find that hard to believe. Someone will pay $4.25 per tag and pass that cost on to the consumer who buys a t-shirt with a trackable number on it? Would like to know where you got your information.

Hello, I would like information on how to obtain official trackable numbers or codes that are regulated through Geocaching.com. After attending GeoWoodstock IX, I see trackable numbers on clothing and other 'normal' items like geocoins. Is it possible to purchase a series of trackable numbers that I can apply to signature items or create items that can be tracked on GC.com? Of course, I would imagine the items would need to be reviewed and approved, which is no problem. At this time, I am just wondering about the availability of tracking numbers and who I can speak with concerning this topic. Thank you, Jim

Since when? Believe it or not, there are many of us who use a dedicated GPSr for geocaching and PQ's are a great feature. All I see from your post is another person acting like a petulant child that didn't get their way and is now collecting his toys and going home. Need a hankie? Is it me who didn't get their way or Groundspeak? Tell you what "Arthur", I could come back with a million and one attacks on you as a person, but it won't solve anything. If you are unable to discuss the issue without referring to others as a petulant child, then I have nothing further to discuss with you. I stated my opinion about the situation, not you. Your post clearly indicates your inability to discuss a topic without resorting to immature taunts. And, I've got your hankie right here. You still fail to answer the question...how are pocket queries useless? In comparison to a real-time app like c:geo, PQ's don't make the cut. Rather than load a specific area, I have (or had in this case) the ability to use a live map feature and see all caches around me. If a new cache is published while out, I have the ability to be FTF as it appears on the map - which I have done. I have the convenience to open the app wherever I am at any given time and see the caches around me without any extra effort. I don't need to figure out my travel plans ahead of time - if I change my mind and head in a different area, I can see them in real time as I drive. I've used PQ in the past and I found them extremely cumbersome. Too many steps, too much hassle. But that's my opinion. If they work for you, great, go for it. I'm not saying anyone is doing anything wrong by using that (what I consider outdated) method. The whole purpose of PQ's and apps are about choices. Groundspeak has taken away a choice for cachers the option of a brilliant FREE application. They would rather people spend money on substandard apps.

Since when? Believe it or not, there are many of us who use a dedicated GPSr for geocaching and PQ's are a great feature. All I see from your post is another person acting like a petulant child that didn't get their way and is now collecting his toys and going home. Need a hankie? Is it me who didn't get their way or Groundspeak? Tell you what "Arthur", I could come back with a million and one attacks on you as a person, but it won't solve anything. If you are unable to discuss the issue without referring to others as a petulant child, then I have nothing further to discuss with you. I stated my opinion about the situation, not you. Your post clearly indicates your inability to discuss a topic without resorting to immature taunts. And, I've got your hankie right here.

The reason I went with an Android phone is primarily due to c:geo. Since this news of c:geo ending, I will no longer renew my premium membership and pay G$ for a substandard product. What does that premium membership afford me? I've read these posts that G$ is a small company, yet if they partnered and collaborated with high-end people/organizations (Google, c:geo, etc.), then everyone is happy. This puts me in mind of Steve Jobs of Apple and his refusal to implement Flash into Mac products. PQ are a total waste of time - as useless as a rotary phone. At what point in time is G$ wandering around in? As for those who have used c:geo and have complaints that they couldn't navigate menu around the software - did you take some time to actually learn it and play with it? Or maybe you were using that rotary phone in the field. Every aspect of c:geo is well thought out and works excellent. It is pure brilliance. I would GLADLY pay a yearly amount - the same as I paid for G$ membership, to use c:geo. It is worth every bit of that amount and more. When I think of how much I spend geocaching every year with travel bugs, geocoins, gas for driving to the caches, eating at restaurants in different areas that geocaching brought me to - why wouldn't I pay for an app that make geocaching an absolute joy? Good luck finding an app remotely as good as c:geo. But now, G$ is like the spoiled kid on the street who owns the football - and if he isn't catered to, then he's going to take his football and go home. The rest of us suffer. Groundspeak - instead of working WITH carnero, you'd rather take your game away from people who truly enjoy playing it. Shame on you. Argue for your limitations, and sure enough, they're yours. I looked forward to geocaching with my family. It's sad to see yet another family oriented activity ruined by ignorance, greed and childish behavior. Oh, and what perfect timing to pull the plug on an amazing app, than at the time of GeoWoodstock.

Just a quick question ... is there a way to locate or search for a TB hotel, or should I just move it along to another cache and be done with it? I recently found a TB and I want to make sure it gets out of my state. It has been in various areas of my state for some time and I would like to see it leave the area for the sake of the owner to pick up some additional miles. I've looked at various caches around my local airport, but nothing that indicates it being a TB hotel. I'm heading out to drop this off in a cache within the next 9 hours - any suggestions? Thanks...

It's been a couple months since I've been back to this forum, and I guess that I'm a little surprised by a couple of the responses. I guess some have a limited sense of humor. Sorry you were upset by that - but I didn't post the photo here for obvious reasons. You made the choice to view the photo by visiting the blog. With prior notice you still made the choice to view the photo - is the bad taste from me posting it, or by you knowingly wanting to see it? To those visiting the blog who aren't offended - thanks for visiting. Please feel free to share your experiences of caching. That's the whole point of the blog. Such an awesome sport/hobby ... I'd love to hear your stories as well. TFTC!

About 2 weeks ago, our daughter was home for the weekend from college. My wife and I planned to geocache that Saturday, and we were happy that our daughter decided to join us. We had a few lined up for that day, and one of them was at the "Bridge of Dreams", which is one of the longest covered bridges in Ohio (actually the longest covered bridge in Ohio is up in Ashtabula County). After successfully finding the cache and leisurely walking back to the car, we were halfway across this bridge and was looking off down the river. About 100 yards away I noticed a young man fishing. As I was turning around, something white caught my eye in the brush about 50 yards away. I looked again and found that it was a middle-aged woman squatting near the river bank. While she was out of sight from the fisherman, she was in full view of those of us walking on the bridge. Her car was parked about 25 to 30 feet off the side of the road and apparently, she could hold it no longer. My daughter and wife wondered what I was snickering about and came over to see her finish her business. I had a point and shoot camera with me, and I did just that ... pointed and shot just over the rail so as not to be seen. It was one of the funniest things we experienced and had such a hard time keeping our laughing under control. This poor woman obviously felt she was in dire straits and resorted to taking care of business (so to speak). It would have been devastating had we laughed out loud at her predicament. The crazy thing with this whole story was, there were outdoor toilets not more than 50 yards in the other direction from her, had she just driven a tad bit more. I guess in a way, it's like geocaching ... out in the field, I'm dead certain that I'm right on top of that cache. Yet, had I taken a little more time and not been so intent on being sure that it's "right here", I would probably have found more of them a lot quicker. But where's the photo you ask? See the blog for the photo. TFTC!

Kinda new to geocaching but having a great time. I have been adding GPX files one-by-one while my GPS is hooked up to the computer. I have a Garmin Nuvi 255W/255WT unit that is primarily used for travel, but since getting involved with geocaching, I've been exploiting it to death for geocaching. I know at some point I need a 'real' GPS for the field, but for now, this works. I understand the concept of pocket queries, and have gone through the process of initiating one and getting the zipped file. This is where I'm stuck. What now? I've unzipped the file and have a .gpx file and a -wpts.gpx file. I looked through the file folders of my Garmin through Windows Explorer and added both to the same folder that holds all my other .gpx files, but they don't show up on the GPS. I'm certain I'm missing a few steps in order for these to show up. Can someone provide a "Pocket Queries for Dummies" response to this dummy? Thanks!