Fuzzywhip

Greetings! Of course I've been waiting for this! A little worried about what gas prices will be (because it's so far away) but it would let me work on some WDC pages on the way. Also, I may have found a fellow co-worker that may be interested in attending. He just moved to Seattle and has to settle-in first. As always, I'm looking for a ride, as doing a Cache Machine with a group is far more fun than caching alone [] Fuzzywhip

Browsing thru the section and couldn't help but comment: In the Pacific Northwest (mainly Washington State), we have a cacher who organizes "Cache Machines." It's a speed run thru a chosen city or area, to find as many caches as possible from a predetermined map, all in one very long day! Usually start before sunrise and end on or after sunset. The most recent one was "Wenatchee Cache Machine II." The dinner after is the official event - GC2NVH2. Follow the CO to his page and he has a link describing how he organizes these events (Post#98): http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=106202&st=50&p=1728799entry1728799 I've participated in six of these "cache machines" and they have been a blast! Get to meet a lot of cachers from all over the Northwest, find a lot of caches (my record is 86 in one day) and a good Smorg at the end of the day. I'm hoping to host a similar event in the South Okanagan in the near future.

The blue eTrex Legend is a great GPSr! I was using one for over 3 years and ~1300 caches. Good, stable, accurate GPSr. The serial cable thing is not a big issue. I just built a new computer and was able to add a serial port so I could connect my GPSr. I would still be using my Legend but have been able to afford to move to a 60Cx. However, my aunt now uses my Legend, as it is better than my old eXplorist 100 (except the 100 has a more readable screen.) All in all, an excellent GPSr!

Hmmm ... it have to be something extreme like the Government making GPS or Geocaching illegal. My province (BC) already as a weird hands-free driving law that does not discriminate between auto GPS and handheld GPS, but a home-made GPS holder solved that. Otherwise, the hassles at the BC/WA border (usually just DHS) are putting a damper on the sport for me. Once across, I can feed on caches like no tomorrow in WA state. I would consider reducing my activity rather that cut off cold-turkey!

Some interesting reading on just how fragile GPS can be (and how many unknown entities also use the signal.) http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn20202-gps-chaos-how-a-30-box-can-jam-your-life.html

Just reading an article about a Class/X solar flare that will start hitting the earth today. http://www.news.com.au/breaking-news/solar-flare-jams-radio-satellite-signals/story-e6frfku0-1226007799936#ixzz1EE6VyBZW They mention that the 3 flares coming may disrupt satellite communications, including GPS.

Sign me up! Since this isn't that far for me to drive, I'll be able to get more WDC pages done. Looking for a ride for the machine, or a navigator for my vehicle. Fuzzywhip

Excellent Question! I have been wondering this as well. In my town there is a small extension of a local university (Okanagan College) which is run by the Government of British Columbia. The university is built on federal Crown land, originally reserved for the low frequency navigation beacon for the nearby airport.

Been there, done that! Even an experienced cacher can think "it's only 400 feet away, I won't get lost!" Ha! It's surprising how you can get turned-around in the woods (especially if it is mountainous like here in the NorthWest!)

Greetings! All set for the BCM. I've booked my hotels and my days off from work, so I'll be there! Regardless if the passes have snow, I'll definitely try to make it! As usual, I am seeking a ride with a team, as I enjoy the Cache Machines more when I'm with a group. Otherwise, if I have to go it alone, I could use a navigator (especially in the dark!) :lol: :lol: Fuzzywhip

Yippie! Another Cache Machine! Been waiting... oh... about 5 seconds after leaving the Golden Corral on the last CM. Don't know yet if I can make it, as work is a little shaky right now. Here's to hope! Fuzzywhip

Yup! Fuzzywhip & ShadyDoon want to be at the opening! I have hiked the tunnel years ago, but ShadyDoon hasn't seen it, so this would be a nice road trip for us. Fuzzywhip

I am currently running Windows XP Home Premium with the Garmin Communication Plug-in 2.6.1.0 installed for IE 7.0.5730.13. I use either a Garmin GPSMAP60CX or an eTrex Legend (early 8 Mb version.) Everything works properly, and I am able to D/L from GC.com straight to either GPSr. I am looking to upgrade to either Vista Home Premium (I already own the upgrade DVD) or jump over that and upgrade to Windows 7 Home Premium (it's the one I can afford.) The question is ... which OS? Vista has been out long enough that the early bugs have been worked out. But Windows7 is lauded as sooooooo much better that Vista. I would be interested to hear from cachers who use either OS and have the Garmin Coomunication Plug-in work properly with their Garmin GPSr.

I have been hearing rumors for years that there is or was publically accessible lava tubes or tunnels in or near the Winthrop / Twisp area. Anyone care to elaborate on this?

Been waiting for this CM for months. Woo Hoo! Already checked jholly's list, and most of the caches I have not found yet! Yay!

I've camo'ed a 1/2 gallon water container (the kind made for camping) after sealing the holes with J/B weld. These things show up in the thrift stores for 50 cents or a dollar. Also have seen them at yard sales. I have one cache like this that has been in the woods for almost 4 years and still going strong!

Two different situations: - I am really surprised that so many US border officers do not know about geocaching. I go on several geoholidays to the States every year, and every time I cross the border, I am asked about where I am going and what I will be doing. I have to try to explain what geocaching is about, and most seem to be unaware. One time, I mentioned it was like a treasure hunt, which got the officer really upset! Seems there are laws about foreigners seeking treasure on US lands. After explaining more clearly, he let me own my way. Another time, the officer couldn't understand why I would look for a container that I did not keep! - Personal story: I was caching in southern Washington State near the Columbia River. I had camped overnight at a RV park, and got up really early to get a good start on the day. The first cache stop was just off a secondary highway. It was around 5am when I parked on the side of the highway (no signs saying I couldn't) and hiked a short ways into the wonderful Northwest rainforest to hunt for the cache. I had just found the cache (I was out-of-sight in the woods) when a State Trooper pulled up in his car. He got out of his cruiser to check my minivan. I guess he heard me in the woods, as he turned and challenged me! I carefully came out of the woods with my hands up (and my GPSr in the hand) and explained that I was a geocacher. He immediately grumped, turned around, and left in his cruiser!

Looking thru my list of finds in the Seattle area, I would suggest GC1A1EP Jimi Hendrix Memorial. D/T ratings are fairly easy, the cache is an easy find, but the nearby Memorial is worth the trip. If you go to the office, there is a memorial book that can be signed.

They work great! I have created several caches using these handy waterproof containers. Some brands even have moisture-absorbing crystals in the lid. I have found that you can glue several together to create a tube with snap lids at both ends (cut the bottoms off and join together) One cache that worked great with this container was hidden in a concrete road block with a plastic bag attached to the top. Looked like garbage when hidden, but had a geocache sticker on the outside when the cache was removed from its hiding location. Another cache that I built with these containers had a HD magnet glued in the bottom. The whole thing attached magnetically to a sign out of sight. Ask anyone you know that is a diabetic. They probably have a box full of these little gems! (And yes, they are FAR SUPERIOR to a film canister!)

As far as I know, I'm immune to Poison Ivy (or Oak or Sumac). I'm sure I've put my hands and other body parts in these delicious plants without getting a rash. Here in the Okanagan Valley, Poison Ivy is quite common. I've studied pictures to try to spot it, but it just looks like a green plant to me (it's amazing how many plants have leaves in groups of three!) BUT ... Devil's Club ... That thing got me! At New Years (2010 - 8 months ago), I was in the Chehalis,WA area on a geoholiday. I've tried to watch out for the devilish plant, but it somehow got me. Even though I was wearing long pants, I got some nasty burns up my left leg to the knee. I'm guessing a leaf or branch brushed me just above the sock line, and the rubbing of the pant leg spread the sap up my leg. Sorry, no photos of my leg, but I'm still nursing a few sores. (Interesting that I got the same rash last fall on the back of my hands, but they healed a lot faster than my leg!) Link to Wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil's_Club Fuzzywhip

Wish I could attend, but I'm saving my pennies for GeoWoodstock! I hope everyone has a great time, and hopefully I'll see everyone at the next Machine! Fuzzywhip

I've been looking at these things in the local hardware stores. They sell really cheap (sometimes as low as $3). Just can't seem to think how to use it for a cache that is clever and not obvious to muggles. Ideas???

Found one like that a couple days ago in Parksville BC! i've long known about these but funny how few ive found in urbans. I believe the big giveaway is where they are cut and they aren't "weathered" Greetings! Actually, the top of the rebar is naturally rusty. When cut, the cut part goes into the plastic pipe.

Here in the US Northwest (Washington State), every couple months we have a "Cache Machine." A local cacher is a genius at building these events. He uses mapping software like MapPoint or Streets&Trips and lets the software plan the route. Then he tweaks the route to work as best it can. Allowing for 7 minutes at each cache, we usually start with over a 100 caches. Everyone interested starts at o-dark-thirty in the morning (sun just coming up) and meets at an agreed spot for the first cache. Then everyone heads off to the next cache on the route list. At first, you can have 15, 20, 30 cachers and 6 to 10 cars all show up at a cache to hunt! Sometimes can be hilarious to watch all these people beating the bushes to find the cache. As the day goes on, all the cachers and vehicles tend to spread out, and will wind-up with bunches of vehicles following each other as they travel from cache to cache. At the end of the day (near sunset), everyone meets at a local restaurant (usually a buffet or smorgesboard (sic) and talks about all the caches and the events that happened during the day. On the last one I attended (Walla Walla Cache Machine Dinner - GC23THG), I found 86 caches in 12 hours! It was a blast! There was 6 of us in a large truck, so 12 eyes searching for every cache worked really well. When I left at around 7PM, several of the guys continued for another 4 to 5 hours and found a bunch more. Great fun had by all! I have planned my personal routes of caches when I visit the Seattle area, and have found around 40 caches in one long, tiring day! Best of caching to you! Fuzzywhip

While I do not live in SK, I was born and lived my first 18 years there. I was in Regina a couple years ago and was surprised on how few caches were available at the time. Saskatoon seems to have a little more activity. There are so many potential places for caches (even if it's at a crossroad of two gravel roads) at least the GPS will get you there! Hopefully, when I'm there next time, the situation will be better. Addicted to geocaching! Fuzzywhip PS: Go Riders!