TheGeoZodiac

Perfect, thank you.

Just to clarify, I'm not necessarily looking to sort them by distance to my home, but more so by distance from whatever location I happen to be at when viewing the list, such as when leaving a cache site to go to the next nearest one to my location at that time. I appreciate the responses so far. Also, I use Chrome for my browser.

Although I've been caching since 2007, I have never downloaded caches to my GPS device, so this feature is still very new to me. I have a few questions. 1.) With my GPSMAP 62stc, if I download several caches, will they automatically arrange themselves according to nearest distance, or will I have to continually scroll to find the next nearest one to me? 2.) Also, what is the difference between a pocket query and simply individually downloading caches along the route I want to travel on to my GPS device? I was reading this page: http://support.Groundspeak.com//index.php?pg=kb.page&id=53 but I still am not exactly clear about what the benefits of a pocket query are. 3.) I just ordered a new USB cable for my GPS device since I could not find my original one. This, along with the communicator plugin installed, should be all I need to download caches, correct? Do I need anything else? Thanks for the patience and responses in advance.

If there's one thing I understand about the forums, it's that most people prefer proper forum and log posts. I would certainly take the time to type words as they should be typed, especially when logging your finds. It makes it easy for other users to understand your logs and forum posts. Of course, smileys and things of that nature are ok, but not trends like putting two of the same letter at the end of every word like most teenagers are doing these days when talking to each other. Thanks in advance. I hope you continue to enjoy geocaching.

To meet other geocachers, look for an event than you can attend in your area. You will find that many cachers (not all of course--there are grouches in every part of society) will be happy to talk with you and maybe even take you along on a caching outing. Try these: http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=ede6e2c3-8932-4217-be2b-1a5958a237fe http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?guid=79d3e72a-f559-44a2-a35b-eb0941873b16 If you can make it to the Valdosta area on November 13th, we will be holding a geocaching introduction presentation that evening. It's open to anyone who is willing to pay a $3 meetup fee. This is a Valdosta Geocaching Society meeting and will be a great time!

Caches cannot be buried. I don't see any exceptions to this in the knowledge books, so even if it is tied to something, I don't believe it would be legal.

My first recommendation is to read through the other dozens (literally) of posts on this same topic, because this has been answered several times in several other threads. I'm positive your answer will be in there. But to give you a general answer here, no GPS unit will get you to "zero" in accuracy. The best you can expect is between 10' to 60' feet depending on weather, tree cover/interference, etc. 60' is the case in extreme conditions and with a bad calibration, but under the best conditions it is possible to get below 10', but it's rare. Higher end GPS units offer more terrain and map features, but a lot of time the compass itself is no better on a $600 unit than on a $200 unit. I hear that Garmin's new antennas are a tad more accurate and get you somewhat closer, but still, you will need to put the GPS away once you are within about 10-30' and just start looking with your eyes and not your compass. If you rely on the compass alone, you will go in circles and never find what you're looking for. Lastly, don't be discouraged. Geocaching is not just about finding the physical cache. It's more about the locations you would otherwise never be able to see if it were not for the hunt. Enjoy the outdoors.

Is there a lifeguard shack? Possibly a nano placed there with permission?

The fire tacks do not violate the 528' rule. However, if the coordinates you will be using on the cache page are for the location of the first set of fire tacks, or the parking location, then you will need to explain to your reviewer that the coordinates are not for the cache itself, and that the cache is indeed further than 528'. It may be wise to take down the coordinates of the cache location and provide them to your reviewer so he can pull it up on the map himself for verification, even if you will not be providing them on the cache page. And, don't place the tacks in a location where someone may accidentally come across the already-placed cache. I don't think it would be a problem necessarily if they stumbled upon it because they would treat it like any other find, but let them work for it!

My name has a few meanings. 'The Zodiac,' as you may recall, was a famous and elusive Bay Area killer who used the crosshairs symbol as his calling card. He would include this symbol in coded ciphers to the police and area media outlets. To this day, he has not been caught, however, police believe that the best suspect in the case passed away in the mid-1990s. Between the coded ciphers, the crosshairs symbol (which could be used for X marks the spot) and the stealth he used to commit his crimes in public and get away with it, it was the perfect choice for an alias as all of these elements are included in Geocaching. Minus the criminal acts, of course...

I scared the crap out of a squirrel the other day in the woods. I don't think he realized I was there at GZ when he ran down from the tree. He stopped and just stared at me for a good 10-15 seconds before going on his way.

It's up to cache reviewers to demand a cache be moved if there is any doubt whatsoever about it being on private property. I know for a fact that the COs sweet talk their reviewers into thinking it is NOT private property, when in fact, it is. All the reviewer knows is what he sees on the Google map he/she pulls up when examining the coordinates. I think if it's even CLOSE on the map, they need to demand it be moved just in case, even if the CO disagrees.

I tend to over-think the easiest caches. Today I did one that was located in an old style out house (the ones people used before they had modern plumbing). When I entered the "shack," my first instinct was to lift the lids on the old toilets, thinking someone was dumb enough to hide it in there. After opening one, I saw the cache in plain sight behind the toilet box. Other than making the easy ones harder than they are, the one thing I hate is underestimating what footwear I'll be needing...

I'm willing to bet that if you call the PD shortly before you intend to go find a Cache, they would be ok with it. Anyone who gives a heads up about their activities and intentions can't be that dangerous. Plus, if all else fails, just tell them you're ghost hunting. They'll just leave you alone and think you're a nut looking to catch Casper. And, who cares! If it lets you in and keeps them away, have at it!

I love night caches! There's one close to my house called the "Osgood Hallowed Night Cache". It's a halloween themed cache in the woods near a cemetary. The more the better!