bloomcru

Can you recommend some cabin type options about 2-3 hours from Chicago for a January snowshoe caching weekend? I heard that White Pines lodge is nice, but they shut down after the Holidays.

Forgot to mention- when you go blackberry or mulberry picking, don't wear a white shirt- My little monkeys painted more than one comfy t-shirt with the fruits of my labor, but I happily put up with a little sticky stuff in my ponytail. oh- And winter is a great time for backpacks instead of strollers-you don't have to worry about getting stuck in snow or mud and they're warmer.

YES!!!! Get one! they are safe and easy to get on and off fully loaded, they have kickstands. Though mine are now 13 and 16 and reluctant to follow me into the woods, there was a time when my baby backpack was my most prized posession! When I only had one child, she rode in the backpack while we hiked, mowed the lawn, shoveled snow, watched a parade or trekked through the airport. When the second child came along, it was easier to hang onto and chase the 1st with baby on the back, instead of in a stroller. The little ones love the view, mom's hands are free and terrain and crowds are no longer obstacles. My Older sister introduced me to the concept with one of the early models. Mine was a bit nicer, but not nearly as safe or comfortable as the ones on the market now. Shop for a baby packpack the way you would for a backcountry trek. You'll both love the freedom.

I have an old Palm Vx, but never figured out a convenient way to use it for caching- I was using my Legend and printing out pages- worked ok. I just inherited a tungsten T3 and also a TomTom PalmOne Nav system- haven't figured out how to make them work. Would love some tips and suggestions so I don't have to re-invent the wheel. Anybody got anything? Thanks in advance- Charlotte

No Cougars sited in Palatine, as far as I know, but there was a BIG coyote in the backyard behind me last week at about 7:30 am. He jumped the fences from an almost standstill like it was nothing... My not so bright dog was busy jumping up at squirrels in the tree and didn't even see him. Neighbors have seen a couple of coyotes along 53 and they say they have been sited in the woods and on the bike trail.

GUMBO!!! I married a cheesehead and his regional favorites seem to be anything with cream of something soup, but when I get homesick- nothing beats a big pot of chicken and sausage gumbo, even if you can't find the andouille to put in it. I keep a stash of file' in my freezer to make it real. My half/yankee kid, a truly picky eater, shows her cajun side when she asks for black-eyed peas with pickled pork (smuggled up from the Winn-Dixie next to the gulf coast shrimp I bought from the guy on the side of the road by the bayou) and my babysitter has been paid in King Cake for her Jan. 6th birthday for the last 7 years straight. My hips can attest to the fact that I soothe my heart through my mouth. Charlotte of bloomcru

What are the facts behind the "spiralling vindictiveness in Colorado" comment? Makes it sound as if we are a militant group of extremists instead of the mostly innocuous group of family-friendly types with a couple of radicals thrown in for humor that we really are. Sounds as if that lady and her spelunking friends are more militant than we could ever become, except for criminal and his pals, of course And she makes it sound like Jeremy is fighting battles day and night, defending our rights!! Go Jeremy! my 2 pennies- charlotte of bloomcru

Hi, Jolly- I'm one of the 31- We went during their <open house> on Apple fest weekend, and even though town was bustling, there were plenty of muffins left at the preserve. No one that I know had ever been to that park, even the brownie leader was ignorant of it's existence. Have you been lately to check out the cache? did somebody go off trailing and bring attention to themselves? If it would help your cause to have her meet some nice family type cachers or have us volunteer a couple of hours, let me know and my little people and I will be at your service. Thanks again for placing caches- charlotte of bloomcru

Jamie- Consider mailing the stuff you used for school and the first 4 weeks "in residence" back home before you traipse off adventuring. That way you can have room to bring whatever you'll need for both aspects of the trip and host family gifts, but you won't have to worry about what to do with the suitcase while you gallivant, which, by the way, sounds VERY exciting!! Oh, to be young and free again!!(Of course, I was much too conservative and "responsible" and had no idea that those opportunities existed back then) now i have to wait a few years until my little people are ready to go with me. Have a great trip- Charlotte of bloomcru

Well Said, Jeremy!! Charlotte of Bloomcru

My humorous tone and teasing didn't come across well in my last post. I can totally see why someone may be caching in whatever clothes they were wearing-and how a bright red tackle box would be visible without bushwacking- It's just humorous that we spent so much time discussing cache outfits and the media catches us all dressed up in our civies!! charlotte of bloomcru

'Police responded and could see the large box sitting underneath the bridge, Whinham said.' Obviously this trench coat guy needs some caching classes- wrong clothes (I believe there is a thread to address that-but I can't markwell)AND he didn't re-hide it well for the next finder, which happened to be bombsquad.

Boy, am I sorry I didn't make it to that one. It looks like it was a great time and a huge crowd. And given this February, I could have used a change in Attitude, since it's not looking like a change in latitude is coming anytime soon. I would have liked to have made the Palisades event, too. I really need to get my act together so I can participate in these things. The June thing is in my backyard, so I'm putting it on the calendar now. Faery-You are not the only female cacher-I qualify. And since I can't drag the hubby out, but the kids are still young enough to have their activities mandated, our cru usually consists of 3 females.

Why doesn't this end up on the front page- POLITE TEENS ENJOY WHOLESOME SPORT/HOBBY I ran into two young fellows (cubfans) in the forest preserve yesterday. Newbies who were happy to join up with a middle aged mom for the 2nd leg of a multi and a nearby micro. They were excited about discovering our addiction and looking forward to better weather and more finds. The world is not such a bad place-goodness just doesn't have a successful press agent. peace- Pollyanna of bloomcru

I agree with MOPAR, the profile numbers don't always tell the whole story. Don't jump to conclusions. And If you get ticked off by surface info, you are way too emotionally involved. This is FUN, remember? I know people who love to hide-they do a great job and are appreciated, sometimes outside of the forums, by those who find. You can't force people to give back to a community, but you can recognize that people may contribute in different ways- reference the membership fee debate- Peace to All- Pollyanna of bloomcru

welcome back majicman-it was becoming a humor wasteland! for those of you who need a little help-beware the wicked edge of sarcasm.

I just went to take a peek and it's been removed. Will it be back?

The newest firmware update created a place for owner info on start up. Go to Garmin site, mobile GPS, Etrex, firmware/software (? i don't remember what they call it) and follow directions for upload/download. If you have any questions, do a search on these forums, I'm sure Anders or someone else has instructions.

My Sister is there, she doesn't have a gps yet and her dog just got a reconstructed knee, so she can't go gallivanting around, but I'm going to be there this summer and hope to hit a few. Any good kid friendly ones? charlotte of bloomcru.

On the details page, it says "download to easygps"with a box to check. Then it says, open file or save file? you open it and it goes to easy gps-which I usually have on in the background. It gives it those goofy GC### names and then I edit it to something I can recognize in the field. You can download a bunch at a time from the nearby search list- the box is on the left, I think. good luck. charlotte of bloomcru

MARKWELL-- once again, running away with the Good Neighbor Award!! Thank you, Markwell, for continuing to spread joy and caching throughout the world. charlotte of bloomcru

I sat for jury duty yesterday and cast a somewhat educated vote today! Do I get the good citizen's award this month? charlotte of bloomcru

It's hard to live vicariously thru others if they don't share. I've been watching the preparations and had hoped to get a post weekend re-cap from somebody. Good turnout? Good Food? (rhetorical question, you're in La.) Good Fun? Just wondering- Charlotte of bloomcru

It's a Legend, I had the venture first, returned it for the legend, but for some reason continue to call it a venture, sorry- but my maps re-appeared, so all is well.

It showed up again, I have no idea what I did.