AllenFamilyCachers

YOU ROCK! That's the one. Thanks.

I remember a cache and can't seem to find a link to it anywhere. I will try to describe it best I can as it was over a year ago I read about it: It's a downed (Navy?) plane that was on a unrecognized mission from point A - point B. The plane never made it as it ended up crashing into a cliff in the desert here in Califonia. I don't know if it's the Mojave or Death Valley, but I'm pretty sure it was one fo the two. Anyways, the 4 crew members all survived and actually made it to a nearby town to call for help. They were rescued, the plane wreckage was analyzed and the military figured it'd be too costly for an extraction of the wreckage (since it's WAY up on a cliff), so they left it. There is actually a geocache box at the wreckage site and much of the wreckage remains. I don’t know when it happened, but I believe it was within the past 30-40 years. Any help locating this would be great. Thanks.

My wife's aunt rounded up about a dozen of my neices & nephews and took them all out. One of the kids was my daughter... so my wife and I went out with them as well. I saw how much fun the kids had while on the hunt and I thought it might be fun to bring our family more together and out in nature. Then when I started seeing some of the hides, that's when I got hooked. I'm now beginning to be known as an evil hider in our town... it's great!

I have a "junker" laptop dedicated to Geocaching only. Has all of my pocket queries, CacheMate (HotSync for PDA), GSAK, MapSource, etc... It always stays in the car so I don't have to carry it at all.

I still need recommendations for this... the suggestions are helpful, but still not what I'm looking for. Thanks.

Is there a website or some sort of software that can track geocoins that have been found? I am relatively new to caching, and have no found 2 coins. I have sent them on their way, but would like to be able to catalog or keep track of the coins I've found. I would like to have a photo of the coin, front and back as well as a spot for the tracking number so I can look up where it's been since I got a hold of it. Is there anything like that around? That would be a cool service. Any suggestions/help would be appreciated! Thanks.

NOT TRUE! You should check your facts before posting something... this is particularly important when it's life or death. In this case, it's kind of OK that you're wrong because someone believing this would still be OK because they would be farther wawy from the snake instead of closer. However, if you do a search on GOOGLE and type in (snake "striking distance"), you will come up with 80,700 pages of info in support of the 1/2 the body length fact. Also, a snake does NOT have to be coiled to strike. It can strike in any position... even if you're holding it by the tail. So, BE CAREFUL!

I was only in BS for like a couple of months or so. It was kind of boring (most likely not the BS clubs fault, just the scoutmaster). I did well, and after a few meetings got that gold shoulder thingy that only one person in a troop gets (don't remember what it was really for). Soon afterwards, I became disenchanted with the BS and bailed.

instead of constantly saying BUMP... let's just have one of the moderators make a topic like this (photos ONLY... no comments) and make it a STICKY thread? That way it's always on top and more of a photo almbum of cool caches instead of a discussion.

(My turn for a plug) Drop me a line if you would like a newly designed website. Been my profession for 11+ years now.

I'd say it's very real... if you look closely to the left of his head, you'll see a crack where the rocks meet. Do you notice that the snake has managed to fit his body in betweek these cracks? I don't think a rigid fake could fit into the crevice quite the same, unless the whole crevice was built just for this fake snake. Also, please note that an average snake (not a "super snake" ) can strike an average of 1/2 their body length. So if this guy was like 4ft long, he could strike 2 feet past his nose. I say quite real... and stay away from him.

Wow... so many questions that I never even thought about. OK, I was planning on going to like an REI or Camping World or something similar, trying on the boots for fitment, then ordering them online (almost always cheaper). I live in SoCal, so it's (normally) pretty dry. I don't do huge hikes because I strap my infant on my chest and walk for a few miles. I currently use my Vans since that's the only pair of shoes I own (other than flip flops and soccer cleats). I only go (hike) caching on weekends when I have extended time. So, with that said... I'd still like to hear recommendations of what others like. It's always good to have more info than needed than not enough. Thanks for your input.

Looking to buy some decent, but reasonably priced boots or shoes for hiking/geocaching. What do you people use when out and about? How do they feel? Are they comforntable or do they hurt after awhile? How much did they cost and what are they called (so I can look them up)? Thanks.

I grew up around snakes and lived near hills with the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake. I encountered these many times throughout my childhood as well as adult life. Another fun safety fact... snakes can *typically* strike only 1/2 of their total length. Of course, just like some people who defy the norm, so some snakes would go above and beyond the norm. So, that 6ft snake you saw coming from the woodpile, could actually bite you and hold on if you were within 3ft of its nose. Not sure how true, but this is what I've heard since I was a kid. It's said that a bite from a baby poisonous snake would more dangerous than if bitten by an adult. All snakes have the same toxins (potency) from birth through death. The years teach snakes control on how much venom will do the job. They need to conserve their venom in case they would like to eat again anytime soon. A baby snake doesn't posess this sort of control yet. It's like giving the car keys to a 2 year old and asking him/her to only go 15mph. Good luck.

Do any of you actually BUY empty Altoids tins? If so, would you pay .50 for each one?

For me, I've always dreamed of a 4Runner since I was 13. Now that I'm older, wiser(?) and have a few more dollars to my name, I finally got one. Here is my daily driver and monster-cacher.

Could be worse... check this one out. What if you were caching while this bad boy was slithering around??? I know I'd hope that the cache had a new pair of shorts in it to replace my soiled ones! http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/fencesnake.asp

Dad is 31 Mom is 34 Child #1 is 13 Child #2 is 7 months Child #3 will be born in the end of July The Baby Factory is now CLOSED for business!

I ran into this same problem when hiding my caches. So, instead of letting someone decode a hint right away, the hint is a link to my GC website. From there, they have to do some clicking around to get to the hints on my cahce. Once there, I offer general area photos, a CONTAINER hint as well as a LOCATION hint. However, you only get one of each. If you still can't find the cache, they have to email me from my website. I have had nothing but raves about the site and that my hints are the kind where you (should) find it every time. Here are my hides (so far): http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...03-a51d1068514e http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...c5-c2d48a7a0ac6 Some people will use the hints right away just to pad their numbers, however, most will repsect the fact that a hint is only if you can't find based on the description. These are the true cachers who do it strictly for the hunt. The numbers are the secondary reward. I hope this helps.

I have the Nav7 software on my computer... what if I just zoomed in to as great of detail as possible and clicked the place on the map where the cache is. If I made that spot a waypoint, would that work even better? I'd rather not spend 10 minutes sitting in a spot where stealth is required anyways. Hopefully the software idea would produce nice results. Thanks for your help... I'll have to try this option out when I get home.

Well, the people seem to be finding the caches fine, but are making comments about the coordinates. When averaging, I watch the accuracy bounce from 15' -30' and everywhere in between. I try to hit SAVE when it gets closer to the 15' mark since I assume it means the point is accurate within 15' of my waypoint. I'm still new to my GPS and the manuals only seem to offer up 'light bathroom reading' instead of any REAL instruction. So what is the best method? How do you all do it? Should I just set the GPS down for a few minutes while it's averaging... then just arbitrarily hit SAVE? Or am I looking for it to hit a certain number then hit SAVE? Thanks for your help... keep the suggestions coming.

I have a Garmin 60CS and when marking a waypoint for a new cache, I have been using the AVERAGE button to supposedly get more accurate coordinates. However, now that I have placed 2 caches, I am getting people saying that the coordinates are a litle off. I personally hate when this happens, so I would like to correct it on my own caches. What is the best way with my GPSr to get the most accurate coordinates for my caches? Is averaging the best way or just place the bugger on the ground, let it settle and hit MARK? HELP!

It's nice. Just out of curiosity, why would you have an avatar MADE? Was this developed as a logo for your caching stickers/coins/nickels/etc that you use as an avatar also?

Daddy is a Webmaster and runs an internet department in Glendale during the day... by night, he owns his own freelance design company with his little brother. Mommy is a successful real estate agent and takes care of the babies at home as well. She's Superwoman!

OK, with all of your help I finally got my PALM Zire 21 HotSyncing to my laptop. I downloaded CacheMate and paid the $8 for it. Now what? There isn't an instal file like I normally see for a PC program. I've NEVER installed anything for this PALM before, so I need a little help. What do I do to get this program started. How do I convert the info from GSAK to CacheMate? How do I send the information to my PALM (is it as easy as just hitting the HotSync button?) Your help is appreciated. Thanks. Erik from AFC