jimear1e

Give QuakeMap a try. It is free and you can print aerials as well as topos. Google QuakeMap for the link. It's excellent.

I would suggest you post on the FGA board. The Florida Geocaching Association has someone that would be able to help you.

Irchriscdk, I downloaded a PDF paper enigma back in 2003 developed by a researcher. If you are interested, please email me through GC with an address to email it. The file is only 79k.

The Caching PUMP

Welcome to Cigar City! There are a lot of caches and cachers and some great places to hike, bike or paddle. Let us know when you are here and ready to do some caching. Stop by the Florida Geocachers Association when you have a minute.

One HOT coin! Let us know when it's available.

It seems even more evident that some sort of time frame would reduce the majority of the logging and emailing that is currently the norm. Just a date in the future that you have to log on and UPDATE you’re listing or it gets disabled. If it has been disabled, it could still remain intact for some period of time before it is archived.

I received this email from the Florida Trail Association. It is directed towards members but I believe pertinent to all Florida outdoor enthusiasts. - The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Recreation and Parks is beginning the planning process for the 2007 State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). DEP is inviting us be an active partner in the planning process. The workshops provide an opportunity for land managers, recreationist's and outdoor recreation planners to collectively identify existing trends, current issues and future needs. The SCORP is used to help DEP set funding and other priorities for outdoor recreation, and completing and protecting the Florida Trail needs to remain an important component of the Florida's Outdoor Recreation Plan. Please try to attend the workshop in your area and share your vision for the future of outdoor recreation in the State of Florida. If you attend a workshop, please let me know how it goes and what was said. Please forward this message to others that may be interested. Thanks. DEP is hosting the following meetings: November 9, 2006, Thursday, 1pm & 7pm NE Florida (Baker, Nassau, Duval, Clay, Flagler, St. Johns, Putnam, Bradford and Union) GTM Environmental Education Center 505 Guana River Road Ponte Vedra FL 1pm 3pm 7pm -9pm January 11, 2007, Thursday, 2pm SW FL (Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, DeSoto, Sarasota) Department of Environmental Protection South District Office Meeting Room 165 C & D 2295 Victoria Avenue Fort Myers FL 33901 February 8, 2007, Thursday, 1pm Mid-Florida (Orange, Seminole, Osceola, Polk, Highland, Hardee, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Manatee, Brevard) Meeting Room Larry R. Jackson Branch of Lakeland Public Library 1700 N. Florida Ave Lakeland FL 33805 March 1, 2007, Thursday, 1pm Central Florida/Nature Coast (Marion, Lake, Sumter, Pasco, Hernando, Levy, Dixie, Gilchrist, Alachua, Volusia) Meeting Room Marion County Public Library 2720 East Silver Springs Rd Ocala FL 34470 April 5, 2007, Thursday, 1pm SE Florida (St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, Indian River, Monroe, Okeechobee, Glades) Loxahatchee Environmental Education and Research Center Jonathan Dickinson State Park 16450 SE Federal Highway Hobe Sound FL April 25, 2007, Wednesday, 1pm North/Central (Gilchrist, Lafayette, Columbia, Suwannee, Hamilton, Taylor, Jefferson, Madison) Suwannee River Water Management District Santa Fe Room 9225 County Road 49 Live Oak FL 32060 (Corner of US 90 & CR 49) May 17, 2007, Thursday, 1pm Western Panhandle (Escambia, Walton, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Holmes, Washington, Bay, Jackson) Design Conference Room FL DOT District 3 Headquarters 1074 Highway 90 Chipley FL 32428 June 14, 2007, Thursday, 1pm Eastern Panhandle (Leon, Wakulla, Gadsden, Liberty, Calhoun, Franklin ,Gulf) Florida Department of Environmental Protection Conference Room A Douglas Building 3900 Commonwealth Blvd Tallahassee FL 32399 For more information, contact Pat Evans or Zack Wetzel at 850) 245-3052 or Patricia.evans@dep.state.fl.us or zack.wetzel@dep.state.fl.us

I agree, but in other areas this may not be the case. Would it be so complicated to send an email to the cache owner 90 days prior with an optional link to UPDATE the listing? There would be no new listing, just the continuation of a well maintained one. This would alleviate the reviewers having to check every cache that expires and keep the caches and listings up to date. Historical caches you enjoyed were probably well maintained. Otherwise they would not still be there or have been so memorable. Would you have been thrilled if the cache were open, full of water without a log to sign? This is the most important point of all, maintenance. Some people place caches and afterwards the guidelines they agreed to are soon forgotten and a new hobby has taken the forefront. In asking for caches to be UPDATED by some time frame we can eliminate some of the trash that is left in their wake. I am not sure crappy caches will be addressed by any method. Currently I don't see caching on the same scale as Stonehenge, not sure about Pyramides or the Great Wall of Chinan though. This is done in our area quite often. More times than not the cache owner will reciprocate in like manner for someone else. On the other hand, this would be addressed automatically.

There are posts about quality and some concerned with saturation. Both could be addressed with a small modification. Limit the time a cache is listed. Some of us have caches placed where permits are required. Most have a time limit and require you to reapply. If applied to cache listings there would be benefits. The location and container could be recycled. It would insure placement opportunities for new cachers and allow new placements in areas previously cached. My caches will start coming of age next spring. I plan on archiving them and replacing them with others. I am certain I can improve my cache quality through experience. Just a thought…

Well said my friend... Wanting to improve quality and provide a memorable hunt I have even found it more difficult to hide a cache lately. Anyone else?

Hillsborough County conducted a prescribed burn today at the Balm-Boyette Scrub Preserve. News Story Hope all's well...

In Central Florida there are several. Most have been in place for some time and have caused no controversy. Checking with your local cachers and reviewers is your best bet for information.

"Beaver Cub Geocache" doesn't bring up any results when searched. Do you have a GCXXXX, waypoint or coords for the cache in question? Some additional information would help.

More info please...

It seems trackinthebox is upset there are rules to the game. Most games have rules and this should not come as a shock. With the popularity of the sport growing hourly, rules are imperative. We may not like them, but they are how WE play the game. I have had no dealings with the reviewers in this case but am aware of the job they and others like them have undertaken. It is their responsibility to make sure to the best of their ability that we have not placed a cache in a location that would be detrimental to its surroundings or intentionally break any laws. They can not physically visit each location so they have to use the reference material available to them at the time of the cache submission. I had to have permission and permits for several caches and it did not seem such a burden. The reviewers in my area are very active with our state and local agencies and our reputation is in good stead as a result. When I started, not long ago, I used the experience of the local cachers by asking questions and I still do. This is an approach you might want to employ in the future. Unless you wish to list this on another service, grow up and play by the rules. Threats and lineage won't cut it.

There are several programs that allow you to transfer waypoints, tracks and routes between your computer and gps. They provide printing and tools for making tracks, adding waypoints and the like but that's about it. If you are looking for a viewable map on your gps you will probably have to stick with the software your gps manufacturer provides. The software you referenced will not provide a map on your gps. Of course, you can make your own custom maps that can be uploaded to your gps. They appear to be more work than they are worth for the most part.

About the only thing that may help is GSAK. You can customize the printout to your liking and keep just the absolutely necessary fields you desire.

I would tend to believe it is listed elsewhere. There are other caching sites. Since I am not sure of the policy regarding other sites I won't use any names. Just google "geocaching" and let your fingers do the walking...

Ran into this little guy on the only part of "Trail" that existed while chasing the final of a multi. He was not interested in bushwhacking, so I did.

Cool or Cruel?

My advice would be to wait a little if you have a working GPSr. Electronics have such a low resale value and inevitably you will want to upgrade. I started with an Explorist 200 and then bought a Legend; a very short time passed before I purchased a Garmin 76Cx. I do have a Magellan Explorist 200 and a Garmin Legend for sale CHEAP!!!

I agree 100 percent. Wait a little while and go for the one you want. I started with an Explorist 200 and then bought a Legend; a very short time elapsed before I was looking again. I have since bitten the bullet and purchased a Garmin 76Cx. Life is good! However, I do have a Magellan and a Legend for sale CHEAP!!!

The logs are the life blood of a cache. Just because someone DNF's doesn't mean anything is wrong. Their Geo-Sense may not have been working that day. Be thankful they actually logged it. It made you think about your placement and shows you have integrity. To maintain your hides you will need the feedback and over time your skin will toughen. I know a cache in your area that has more DNF's logged than finds and I am one of those who DNF'd it. It has not kept it from being sought after and is still active. The cacher who owns this one is known for his hides and is well respected. Remember the most important thing is for you to have fun! Since you are here in Florida stop by the Florida Geocaching Association and check us out. Hope to see you on the trails!

I love multi's. My first FTF was a multi that took three days and about 25 miles to complete. I have been hooked ever since. I think most cachers are aware there is a possibility of some distance and difficulty. It sounds as though you have compensated by providing a direct route as well. I have done a couple that had clues placed in various stages that would allow you to skip to the final and they are quite handy if you want a shorter journey and can figure out the clue. Giving an accurate estimate of the mileage and difficulty are crucial and will help cachers in planning and provide them with a pleasant experience. Sounds like a very nice one indeed, which you were placing it in Central Florida.