ranger-rob

Yah, only it doesn't use up disk space to store a copy of what you just told the computer to throw away. <sigh> dev/null, kill -9, and rm -rf three of the *.nix admins friends </sigh>[1] [1] Ok, grep (and many commands |'d through it) is really handy too but nowhere near as, um... final.

GCH1HZ - trade (wooded area) at (near) the I-65 Hwy 72 interchange GCMFY6 is in the Monte Sano Land Reserve (southeast Huntsville) Also, the US Space and Rocket Center/Marshall Spaceflight Center it in that general area and if your kids are old enough to enjoy a museum it's a really cool place to visit and worth the price of admission, especially if they like space related stuff and are interested in seeing the hardware up close and personal. I *believe* the SR-71 is a virtual cache as well. There may be other virtuals outside where the Shuttle, Saturn V's and other large hardware is displayed. Have fun!

I'm turning into a "prefers Winter" cacher especially if there's woods or hiking involved. I'd like to say it's because the ticks/snakes/mosquitos/biting flys are dormant and the lack of foliage makes it easier to see but truth be told, the hot Alabama summers are beginning to take their toll [1]. [1] not to mention the extra weight[2] and arthritis in my lower back, hips, and knees [2] I know, I know save your comments

I agree. A host logging an event is fine. You were there, right? But logging anything you hid (or helped hide) is a little much. The way I play, I take it so far that I don't log log the caches of people I cache with. I figure that probably having seen the container and knowing their hiding styles gives me an unfair advantage [1]. That's just me. You do what you feel is right in that case. Besides, what's another smiley tacked on to your stats when you can spend a day doing something productive and meeting new people? (As well as catching up with the local cachers you know but don't see much. ) [1] I'll do "test runs" if asked to check coordinates and camoflage etc., but I won't log it.

Now I'm curious. If they're aware but they don't sponsor it <here comes the question> ... then they tolerate them? If so, that's marketing genius!

I used to do a lot of bridge inspections and traffic whizzing by was a common complaint. I firmly believe the "Bridge Inspection Crew Ahead" signs and orange vests, and flashing warning lights just encouraged people to speed up. As a matter of fact, I've had tractor-trailer rigs and log trucks go by fast enough to blow the hat off my head. I think the current CG guidelines prohibit placement of caches in or on a highway or railroad brigde. I'd advise against it anyways. At least along a road there's somewhere to go. On a bridge, unless there's a dedicated pedestrian walkway, both you and the traffic are channelized into a very narrow space leaving but one option, and in my experience diving over the rail isn't really an option [1]. The sad part of this is that there are some pretty spectacular views from bridges. I guess my suggestion, if asked, would be place the cache out of the way nearby and leave a note regarding the bridge on the page and in the container if practical. [1] at least not one you can choose more than once

Please, don't bore holes in the wood (or plastic) blockouts. I know it looks like it's just a plain ole block of wood that does nothing but hold the rail away from the post. In fact it's a block of wood with specified dimentions and known shear and compression values. Aside from violating GC guidelines regarding vandalism[1], you're (potentially) giving some shister lawyer a toe hold in a law suit if someone hits that particular section of guardrail and it fails, resulting in ... well resulting in anything. Granted, a hole large enough to accomodate a film canister isn't going to change the physical properties that much, but "that much" is all it take's to cause a lot of problems for the state/county/city responsible for that particular peice of guardrail and we all know what rolls down hill and what it does as it as its rolling. [1] If you don't have a permit, it's vandalism. I'll bet you don't get one allowing you to modify roadway safety structures (guardrail, crash attenuators, bridge rail, etc) anyways.

Of all the times I went there I never tubed it. Only one trip did go down it without tanks, thanks to an Open Water student that had a particularly difficult time with a skill set and a very patient instructor... I'm not complaining, just commenting, and we were on a pretty tight time schedule so refilling tanks was out. Anyhow, assuming the park is as nice as I remember it, anyone who's never been and passes on the opportunity to dive/snorkle/tube the river is missing an excellent opportunity. For a day trip, that place is better than Disney if you like to swim. Note: If you plan to dive/snorkle, the water temp is 72 F (+/- a degree or 2) year round. A wetsuit is highly reccomended even in the summer. A light "surfer suit" is just fine.

I change the icon from "Geocache" to "Geocache Found" in my Legend and use MapSource to store a record on my pc. As a backup, I have a field book that I write the pertinent information in (GCid, name, date, found/not found).

Not counting the roadblocks where they checked everyones license, registration, and/or proof of insurance, I think we saw one at "Carrot Top was Here" (GCM98D). It's been awhile ago. Anyhow, the web page said it was a possibility and sure enough. We smiled and waved (GPS's in hand) and that was it. The patrol car continued on and so did we.

Having been wearing a wetsuit every time I was there I don't remember getting the itchies ... but ... I do remember fondly (being careful to "code" things up a bit and keep this G rated) that UF isn't that far away and the effect that fact had on the scenery at the park and ... well, um... the "wildlife" went wild a few times (much to the enjoyment of a bunch of Army guys practicing their SCUBA techniques. Ya know, I wish we had rebreathers sometimes.

I'm glad there's some in the park. It's a truly beautiful place. I probably spoke out of turn somewhat as the last time I was there was about <cough>20<cough chough> years ago, long before civillian GPS and geocaching. I did however, dive and snorkle the river several times (ok, about 15). The setup at the south park was fantastic. The only issue I ever had was a less than plesant bus driver not wanting to take myself and 6 other divers (fully equipped in wet suits, weight belts,and lugging BCD/tank/octopi) from the south end back to the north end where we'd parked. Anyhow that a another story. As I remember, the bottom was mostly sand and the water, aside from being pretty cold and clear as air, moved along at a pretty good rate. I did my Rescue Diver cert. dives there and fighting the current made and already difficult set of tasks even more so because there was no break form the current. Now that I think about it, a cache in the river wouldn't be very practical unless the entire thing was waterproof and the log consisted of slates and a pencil. Fighting the currents would make a traditional type container inpractical and getting out of the water between the north and south ends is a pretty dicey proposition on a good day. Anyhow, it's good to know there's some there. Now maybe I can convince my caching partner that she really needs to go

That reminds me, I saw a red bug (aka chigger) the other day crawling across a picnic table. Guess that means it's time to start taping down the pants legs again. And yes, the poison ivy is in full ... bloom? Anyhow, it's everywhere. It doesn't bother me too much, yet, but I suspect it won't be too much longer before I'm going to have to wear Tyvec coveralls in the woods.

As the foliage begins to reappear and become more and more dense little things like stump holes get harder to see and therefore potentially more dangerous. Here in rural Alabama I've run across a lot more of them than I have snakes.

It's about time! There's some fantastic State parks and rec areas in that part of Florida. Perhaps the state will encourage folks to place caches on land their tax dollars are already paying to maintain. If there aren't any now, I hope they put some underwater ones in Ichetucknee River State Park and Kings Bay (Crystal River)

Since the Federally managed national forest that's within what I consider my "local" area doesn't require an entrance fee then it really isn't an issue but they do require a permit (still free I think) to place a cache. Several of the near by State recreation areas do require an entrance fee, as I found to my (almost) embarassment as I looked at the page and didn't see diddly about an entrance fee (only camping and boat launch) none the less I suspected as much and you've confirmed my suspicions. Once again, I'm not wanting to start an argument, just get a question answered and I'm definitely not going down the "you let him do it, why can't I?" path!

Off topic but on topic at the same time ... State and National parks (at least some of them) require an entrance fee. I *think* they're more "break even" than "for profit" but the end result is the same and if pushed to the conservative side (which I'm not implying should happen) caches located inside the gates could be construed as directly advertizing as the description would show the location to be inside the grounds of such-and-such National/State Park. Again I am *not* insinuating that said parks shouldn't be eliglible cache locations. On the contrary, it is my firm belief that there aren't enough geocaches in National/State parkes where the foot traffic wouldn't overly disrupt the ecology. If it's "public" land then "the public" should be encouraged to visit them. My question is simply this. What's the difference between a park with a required entry fee and a business that, in return for traffic, allows a cache on/in their property. If I'm not mistaken, isn't there (or used to be) a cache inside a grocery store? Again, I'm not defending the OP's position, merely asking a question.

Well drive on man! If you've already got the materials, there's no sense spending money on other stuff that can be put towards gas.

I'm afraid I have to agree with BigWhiteTruck and El Diablo, assuming you aquired a suitable stick, the minimum materials (medical/athletic tape and a crutch tip) alone will cost more than $5. Want to make your "investment" last a little longer by applying shellac or polyurethane to it? Well, for that amount of coin you could get a telescoping aluminum walking stick from Wal-Mart ($9.95 in Alabama - your prices may vary)

Hey, that beats some of the stuff in caches over here. Of course if you don't get to blow it up, that'd make it pretty lame Allons!

Try www.loboy.com (Magna Manufacturing) Here's the link to what you (might) be looking for (the #107): http://www.loboy.com/pharm.html I used to work here when I was in college and hated every minute of it (except the time someone melted a Baby Ruth and put it in the Women's restroom on the 1st of April one year - that was pretty funny!) I doubt seriously they'll sell directly to you but they might tell you who stocks them in your area. This might be a good reason to make a trip to Florida too ;-) If you go this route, you would be well advised to start with 2 or 3 as they're not very durable (being non-CFC containing styrofoam). As for waterproof, I'd punch some drain holes in the bottom and use a known "good" container inside of it. Edit: I realized that you were in Idaho after posting. Sorry about that. With gas as high as it is, driving to Florida for a $10 cooler probably isn't real practical but try them anyways, they may know a mfg'r. of similar products a little closer to your home

Answer: As many packs as she needs shoes/purses. (Serve this cup of "shut-up" juice at your own peril! )

"Ok, here goes", he says as he steps into this mine field... Safety, of all kinds, starts at home. Each individual is responsible for his/her own safety and that of any minor children in their care. Are there occasions where " heads up" note on the cache page might have saved some pain? Of course, but that still doesn't relieve the prospective finder of the need to exercise thier grey matter and apply some common sense. Of course there are the people that just get the coordinates and go without looking at the description...To you all, if you run into something wierd[1], before you sound off in the log or e-mail, have a look on the cache page. It just might be mentioned. [1] Coordinates off, no place to park, suddenly surrounded by a platoon of heavily armed, real serious looking Marines, etc.

As long as the cache isn't there solely to promote the business, put it on their property if they'll let you. There are a number of caches located in parks that have an entrance fee. If that's acceptable then there shouldn't be an issue. Also, look at the number of caches that are located in and around malls and shopping centers. Again, if those are "legal", yours should be too. If your container is located where it's retrievable without disrupting the business and no money is required to change hands in order to retrieve it, I don't see a problem. A plus to this is that the permission issues are covered.

As evidenced in several of my previous posts I'm a huge fan of Camelbak and all that, but Maxpedition may have gear better suited to what you what. For that matter, they might have a pack exactly suited to your needs. http://www.maxpedition.com/product_catalog.htm