kbraband

I've been around for awhile. I post on occassion but mostly just read to keep up on what people are talking about. I try not to be judgmental but it's hard not to when there are so many crazy, ignorant people around!!!

Even though the voting is officially over, I'll cast a vote for WGA. He puts in many, many hours working with Wisconsin geocachers to get their caches approved. His wife wishes it was a paying job so they could retire sooner.

On some cache hunts you can use x-c skis.

Congratulations to ziggy2000 for winning the American Gothic virtual cache photo contest. See details here: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...8f-eedc92331b03

This question pops up every year about this time. This will be my 4th winter of caching and I agree with those who say, yes, it's great. No bugs, no poison ivy, no sweat, and no one else around, usually.

All fixed now. We experienced a system crash just after the gc.com forums did. Pure coincidence.

bodolad, huh?

If you're near Eldon, Iowa, stop by the American Gothic house and visit a virtual cache for a chance to win the $25 prize. Contest ends Nov. 28, 2003. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cfc4142c-9bf9-4af5-a58f-eedc92331b03

I had to share this photo taken at my American Gothic virtual cache. Coordinates take you to the house that was featured in the often-parodied painting by Grant Wood. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=cfc4142c-9bf9-4af5-a58f-eedc92331b03 Another oops... I should have posted this in Great Plains instead of Midwest forum. Oh well.

Yup, there is a very active Wisconsin geocaching organization. We hold two large event caches each year, as well as lots of other get-togethers that WGA members organize around the state. We also have a lively and friendly on-line discussion forum. Check it out at http://www.wi-geocaching.com and sign up as a member!

Oops. I misread. You need serial to USB, not USB to serial. Nevermind.

I just bought a Belkin optical mouse for use with my notebook computer Cost at OfficeMax was only $9.99. It's a USB mouse and it comes with a free USB-serial converter. If you need a new mouse, you can get one with a free converter that you could use for your GPS.

quote:Originally posted by Cholo: quote:Originally posted by Walter Lauzums: Any favorites you have or fun experiences? How about Miller Park in Milwaukee? There's plenty of wildlife to see, namely, Cubbies runnin' around the bases. You're right, Miller Park is another great Wisconsin park -- THEE finest ballpark in the Midwest. Cubbies running the bases there are merely a temporary nuisance.

Hah! I remember reading that message. At the time I had about 25, I think, and that was among the highest find counts in Wisconsin. Since then the "professionals" have taken over.

View from my hotel room Top of the Trail And congratulations to Team Tecmage on your new geocacher!

Brian and I have been in contact with the Wisconsin DNR for more than a year. We've gone through several drafts of a proposed policy and now we're sitting on pins and needles waiting for a copy of the rules from the DNR. They hinted that we will be pleased with it, so we're cautiously optimistic. I just wish they would mail the darn thing so we know what's in it.

Walter, if you like scenery to go along with your geocache hunts, you can't beat Gov. Dodge State Park or Devil's Lake State Park. Check my caches at Gov. Dodge: The Shocking Truth About Henry at http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=27501 I Dare You at: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=23184 And at Devil's Lake, Devil's Lake Revisited: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=17688 If you haven't already done so, please visit the website for the Wisconsin Geocaching Association at http://www.wi-geocaching.com Hope to see you out on the trails! [This message was edited by kbraband on September 01, 2003 at 12:13 PM.]

Here's my island cache in the Mississippi River, not all that far from your cottage in Wisconsin. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?ID=84818

I want to thank Manager for doing the right thing and bringing this to the attention of the cache owner, (cachew) who promptly and graciously archived it. True, the cache was not IN the tunnel, but it was close enough to the tunnel to attract geocachers inside, where because of the decaying state of the tunnel they would have been in danger. The Wisconsin Geocaching Association has been working hard to develop a good relationship with our state DNR, and we hope this was a good example of how we can all cooperate for the good of geocaching. Manager wrote in an email to cachew that he is in favor of geocaching because he recognizes it's the type of wholesome activity that park managers should endorse. That's great news. We need more managers like him, so I urge all my fellow geocachers... be nice!

Thanks for the heads up on this. Yesterday I archived my Grandpa Kettleson's Farm cache in the Okoboji area because the past few posts were no-finds. Maybe this explains why. I'm going to try to contact the park manager to se if they have my cache.

Seal Line makes a very nice waterproof bag/pouch thingy. I have used on several canoe trips. It comes with a flotation piece that you carve with a knife to the shape of whatever gizmo you want to put inside. You can read the display and press the buttons through the high quality plastic. See it here: http://www.cascadedesigns.com/sealline/cases.asp?Action=ElectronicCase

Best wishes from another former Iowan. It's been nice to email with you on a few occasions over the past couple of years and read many of your logs. It was also good to meet you at the 2002 Cache Bash in Des Moines. Good luck wherever you end up. Stay in touch! ~ken

We're still in the planning stages but mark your calendars now for the next big event from the Wisconsin Geocaching Association, the 2003 Geo-Picnic at Devils Lake State Park on Aug. 24! Details coming soon

quote:Originally posted by MuzzleBlast!: Hexcentrics and stoppers are placed, not hammered into cracks, are easily removed, and leave no marks on the rock. As a geocacher AND rock climber I want to agree with an emphasize what MuzzleBlast found and posted. I would never drive or drill a piton into a route and I don't any climber who would. In fact, it's banned in most Midwest climbing areas.

Over here in Wisconsin the WGA received an email from South Dakota Tourism about an upcoming tourim promotion involving geocaching. (see below) We can't release our WGA membership email list, but we are going to take them up on their offer and request printed materials to hand out at our upcoming events. It looks like the SD tourism people have a keen understanding of how geocaching can attract visitors. This looks interesting. --------- Dear Fellow Geocacher: South Dakota offers much for geocachers to discover! We at the South Dakota Department of Tourism are working on a promotion to share the story of South Dakota's Lewis and Clark Trail with geocachers. Would you be willing to share your membership mail list with us so that we may provide information on exploring our state? Or, would you be willing to distribute South Dakota geocache information to your club members? The information we intend to share is not available electronically. Please email one of us at the email addresses below with the number of members in your association. We'd like to hear from you by Friday, April 18, 2003 so we may continue our preparations. Thanks! Jerry Nowell (jerry.nowell@state.sd.us) and Chad Coppess (chad.coppess@state.sd.us) South Dakota Tourism 711 E. Wells Ave. Pierre, SD 57501-3369 Ph: (605)773-3301 Fax: (605) 773-3256 www.travelsd.com