RhinoInAToga

Thank you, Sword Fern.

If curious: Yes, we will still be caching in the state we move to. So it would be no problem to take them with us and place them there if there are any walls we would run into with adopting them out.

We have recently begun putting out caches, so we only have a handful. We are moving soon, probably in another month or so, and we would like to leave the caches where they are instead of taking them with us, and therefore away from the local caching community. We have heard of others adopting some caches, and in some instances maintaining them, although we don't know what the difference is between the two. If anyone would like to adopt/maintain these caches, they are more than welcome to. They're not bad caches- there was only one that we already archived that was put in a bad area. (you live and learn) They are located in the Fletcher, NC and Hendersonville, NC areas if anyone is interested. If not, that's ok. We can take them with us, as we don't want them to go without regular maintenance.

You could also get them involved with travel bugs. The tags aren't that expensive, and they can attach whatever they would like to them and "set them free". Then they can log on and enjoy seeing how many miles they have traveled, and where they have been. I know my stepson really enjoys that aspect of the game.

Happy Trails

The way I think about it, and this may not be a thought process applicable everywhere, is that there are certain risks every cacher should be aware of and on the look out for every time they search for a cache. A quick list: It's not the smartest thing to cache alone When looking for an LPC, wasps and other nasty insects may be there When looking for a cache in the woods look out for bear, coyote, people, etc (my region) A cache in a bush may stir up bees Any holes or dark, dry undisturbed places may contain spiders When in woods or near water, you may stumble upon a snake There's more, but you get the idea. So, unless the cache is in an area that would put you at risk more than usual for a dangerous animal, area, or insect, it should be understood to look out for any of these things. If the cache is in an area where you're more at risk, note it on the cache page. For example, I have a cache near a stream. When placing this cache, I noticed that there were a lot of snakes around. Will they be around in the winter? No. But the first sentence on the cache page was "Look out for snakes: Not only on the ground, but also above your head!" But I didn't elect to use the "dangerous animal" attribute, as there are usually snakes near water and rocks. I hope this was helpful Edited for spelling

Welcome we were not successful our first few.. Or handful You're doing well!

OH! I see it! Wow! That was pretty good

How bad is it that I can't see the cache in that picture? Lol I've been staring at it for a few minutes now. This may be why we rack up so many DNFs..

Congratulations Sgt Mikal! Such a great post with such great replies!

I'm very glad your effort & patience paid off so well. Enjoy the geocoinfest, we'll be attending the U.S. Event, & hopefully maybe even volunteering during it. This was a really enjoyable post, I've had many chuckles & even some deep thought because of it. So, thank you.

We would usually find micro caches that had been there for some time, & they would contain things like run-of-the-mill rocks, a dead flower probably picked nearby probably two months before, a fish bowl glass rock, and change. (not interesting coins, just..change.) However, we were recently FTF on a micro cache: Film canister. (We don't usually go for FTFs unless we're already out, so we don't have many. Perhaps that, & the fact that we're still new, is why I haven't seen this before.) There were all kinds of cool, tiny things in there! Tiny erasers, a bracelet, little tiny plastic animals. I was impressed with the care they took in their hide, and that they found so many micro goodies to include in it. I didn't realize there was such tiny swag to be found. I had seen a random tiny rabbit here, a minuscule mermaid here.. Not that much swag in one, though. It has me planning to go out & buy some for our micro hides. If you plan on doing the same, I say go for it. It shows you take pride in your hides, & when trading, you trade quality swag even though it is tiny. That's what I learned about/from the person who hid that cache, anyways. I have a feeling I'm going to consider us "noobs" for quite a long, long time. I keep discovering new aspects to this game that could make us better cachers.

Ok, if this contest were about votes, I'd vote for keewee. Just for the laughs.

"I have something coveted!" *holds up caribiner*

The creepy people hiding in bushes and the bear being 10 feet away from me are definitely on the list. And, funny you should mention it, but our flashlights died in the middle of the woods tonight while doing maintenance on a cache! Good thing it was our cache & I knew where we were.. I just replied with what I seem to always worry over the most. Everything else is (more or less) in-the-moment kinds of things. Although I have been getting wiser about them. I like your caching name, btw. In your team, who's Jack-Jack? Jack-Jack is our 3rd child which supposedly we will have in the future. Apparently, it had better be a boy also. LOL. Or maybe we could just change our guinea pig's name to Jack-Jack, that would be simpler and less painful. Less painful isn't that the truth! 9+ months of hormonal hades..then birth, because 9 months & the sacrifice of a body just wasn't enough. Lol yeah, I'd stick to the guinea pig

You know, I have no idea. Good topic. I sometimes get micros for free. (Diabetes test strips containers) the others we purchase whenever we have the extra bucks. Then we slowly fill them with swag over time, while coming up with ideas for placement. We usually put swag in them here & there whenever we refill our swag bag. Then, when we have enough swag in some, we'll keep our eye out for an affordable FTF prize (which we do because we think it's nice) That process takes a while, sometimes months, so I don't keep track. We just always have caches building since we started. But now I think I'll keep track, even though we only add to them when we have extra money so it doesn't effect the budget.

IBTL Or is it..IBTM(ove)?

I'm in NC as well. Lotsa' black bear! I think we (well, anyone who's dealt with them for some time) all had that phase..that carefree attitude when it comes to black bear. They seem deceptively calm, almost cuddly. I, too, used to mess with them, but in a much more stupid way. A bear used to frequent my neighborhood. I'd see him wander down the trail & I'd drop what I was doing & take off after him. Often in PJ's & bare feet. I would follow him (closely) to see where he went in the neighborhood, & what he did. There were several times that I lost him in the little wooded area, as he made his loop back to the trail. Sooo stupid! One day he was trying to get to our garbage cans (they were locked in a box, which you know is common) & I didn't want him clawing his way through the wood. So I threw a rock at the box to make a loud noise. It scared him, & he took off at a run back up the trail. I stood there for a long time, thinking how stupid I was! If he had chosen to run at me instead of away, I wouldn't be here today. Once you see how fast & powerful they truly are for yourself..it makes you think! Funny side story: after that happened. One morning I woke up late for work, & I was scrambling out the door. I was pulling my shirt over my head as I ran out the door to the car, (modesty always went out the window when I was running late) & while my shirt was stuck over my head (stupid buttons) my neighbor yelled, "BEAR!" I peeked out the top of the shirt & he was in my garden, which was next to the car. Staring at me. I screamed & turned around & ran with the shirt still stuck up around my head & arms. Bumped into the truck, the side of the house, and the porch post before I made it back inside. I was really late that day!

Mechanic's gloves have been working wonderfully for us. Thick enough & hardy enough to flick a wasp nest, avoid spider bites, and grab briars..yet thin enough to handle anything you're trying to grasp.

The creepy people hiding in bushes and the bear being 10 feet away from me are definitely on the list. And, funny you should mention it, but our flashlights died in the middle of the woods tonight while doing maintenance on a cache! Good thing it was our cache & I knew where we were.. I just replied with what I seem to always worry over the most. Everything else is (more or less) in-the-moment kinds of things. Although I have been getting wiser about them. I like your caching name, btw. In your team, who's Jack-Jack?

I'm sorry.. The fact that there's a different forum for this type of post completely left my head. I'm taking this advice, & the reviews from the other forum to heart, & we think we're going with the 45XL, but we have another place we want to check out first. Thanks for the advice, NiraD. If this post needs to be closed, or moved, that's ok with me. Sorry again.

So, it's functional & might be alright for a tighter budget, but it's not recommended. that's ok. When we can afford better for a hobby we'll upgrade. Right now I don't want to blow the money for a top of the line one, in the near future that will change. It just has to get us through this year.

We've been looking for an affordable GPSr for a while now, and today the other half of the RhinoInAToga team found three at a pawn shop for very reasonable prices. (I know, ebay, craigslist, etc.. We like to shop where we can handle the merchandise.) The three are all Garmins: etrex (which I have seen are discontinued, why?), 45XL (which seems to be an older model), & 38 (which seems to be an older model as well) We don't mind older models, as we are always on such a tight budget, as long as they perform well. Can anyone give me info on these, as well as recommendations for what you would get if on a shoestring budget as well? Thanks!

That is sweet! Classic.

I just had to say.. I love the fact that while explaining that your dog displayed behavior that he doesn't normally engage in, you included his name. Which happened to be Random.