kelly83686

I geocache with my kids and have had them pick out one of their own toys or something to use as a trade item. For one thing they have enough stuff already. (I didn't have the things they do when I was a kid--Gameboys, MP3's, etc. Had to walk uphill both ways in a snowstorm everyday to school too! But that's another story...). Anyways, by doing this it keeps the accumulation of trinkets down. It also gets them more involved in the geocaching process. They have to think a little more about the value of their trade. I make sure what they choose is not junk either. I know the so-called "McToys" are somewhat frowned upon, but that's the kind of stuff kids, or at least my kids, love to find! The other day we found a cache with what I know was a McDonald's Happy Meal Toy and my 6 year old was ecstatic! (It was one of those big head dogs.) I do agree with the trade even or trade up philosophy. Kelly

I use the eTrex Legend and have been very happy with it. Accurate and easy to use. (I bought mine used so got a good deal on it. If I were to buy new I'd probably go for the eTrex Vista or Vista C with the built-in electronic compass. But that's another discussion.) I've found, IN GENERAL, my Legend gets me pretty darn close. I use the NAV page with the arrow to get me close. I notice that when I'm 10-15 feet away from the destination the arrow begins to jump around and the distance readings do too. At this point I usually switch to the satellite page, which has the Lat-Long reading at the bottom and try to zero in using Lat-Long. Again, IN GENERAL, I'm usually only a hundreth or less (and usually 2-4 thousandths) of a decimal minute away (i.e very close). If I can't find the cache it's usually because of the human not being smart enough to find it, not the reciever. (Those of you that have gone back a second time to find a cache you missed the first time know what I'm saying.) Oh, also check your WAAS accuracy. If your WAAS is on and you're not getting a good WAAS signal, that might mess you up too. I normally operate with WAAS off. For some reason I don't get a good WAAS signal. Garmin (and the other GPS manufacturers) make really good products. 99 times out of a 100 it's operator error. Kelly83686

I'm really new to geocaching and want to learn the proper etiquette for Travel Bugs. On just my second find there was a Bug in the cache. I was basically familiar with the concept of the Travel Bug from reading on this site and realized what it was. The owner of the Bug wants it to travel to many far flung locations (further than I am going at this time). My options are to re-hide the Bug not very far from where I found it, return it to the same location in hopes someone more widely traveling can re-locate it, or third, and this is my real question, is it allowable to mail the Bug to a new location far away to a geocacher who will re-hide it there? And is there a source to find willing cachers in other states? Thanks, Kelly E-Trex legend user