Team LaLonde

The best decoy cache we've seen was a guard rail cache. The rail was about forty feet long and looked like a typical hide-a-key container. Inside was a note that said, "How do you keep a newbie cacher busy for hours?". Then you figure the real container MUST be on the guardrail and you find an identical hide-a-key at the opposite end with the same note - "How do you keep a newbie cacher busy for hours?". Needless to say, the real container was NOT on the guardrail. At the time of the hunt it wasn't so amusing, but looking back on it we can see the humor.

While going after this cache we could hear a low growling noise. We couldn't figure out what it was so I carefully looked into the hole. The only thing in there was an ammo box but the growling persisted. As I stood up a desert hare bolted past my feet, scaring the crap out of me. (There's a ledge behind my knees that doesn't show in the picture.) I never knew a rabbit could growl like that. The cache is in the Valley of Fire - GCJA5R, Petrified Cache. Consider yourself warned!

I've only had one negative experience while caching. Would you believe it was in Mattawan? You need to move north, fishdirt. We're cool up here.

Good thing I found this thread. I'm in a really crappy mood and I just need to vent: If I see CEMETERY spelled with an 'a' just one more time - anywhere in the word - I'm gonna explode. . .C-E-M-E-T-E-R-Y. Cemetery.

I feel for ya. We adopted a site where one was lost to a fire, but not the way you mean. It was found by muggles and the contents were used to start a campfire. At least no cachers were injured as a result the fire that destroyed your area!

Why not try hiding one at an American Legion Post? Seriously, the best way to learn about hiding caches is to find some first.

The Clintons are beginning to regret rescuing "Monica" from the pound. They knew she was a cache hound but didn't realize she was obsessed with finding micros.

Oh No, Not a. . . . . .not another snow storm! The snow was just starting to melt and now we have three foot drifts. It's April 1st for cryin' out loud. I don't want to use my snowblower for geocaching. It ruins too many containers.

I probably wouldn't trade for a bottle since I couldn't be 100% sure it wasn't tampered before or after a cacher left it. I have seen those sealed plastic water baggies, that would be okay for me. Where in the heck can you find things like that? Those actually look interesting. I believe these are available from Gordon Food Service (GFS Marketplace). They have a sharp straw and you puncture the bag with a quick motion. They are similar to Capri Sun drinks. We saw them at a professional food show in Novi, MI earlier this month.

Is this really any different than going to an event that charges $30 for a dinner? (Yes, those do exist.)

Nice work, 89SC, but don't forget the small details!

If we don't invite new cachers then we might as well go pick up our containers and take up golf instead. In our area we have a small general population. Right now we have about 5 or 6 people hiding 90% of the caches. After someone finds all the local caches (about 300) they tend to stop caching. More cachers=more hiders=more creative caches, etc.

Events. . .BAH! When we did go to events the reminder was nice, I guess.

Happy to oblige. . . A waterfall in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

You are close enough that you should take a trip to Center of Nation - GCRCTJ. It's not a corner of a state nor is it difficult, but how many people can say they've been there?

Mrs. L: Ops Mgr. for a small local restaurant chain. Mr. L: Sales Rep for Fastenal Industrial & Construction Supplies. Used to be a freelance photographer working for places like Moosejaw Mountaineering, etc.

Sometimes your local camera shop will offer free classes. You should probably start there. Learning how to take a photo is just as important as the camera. Personally, I use three different cameras depending on the type of caching: A. Nikon D50, Nikkor 18-55mm zoom, 70-300mm zoom (DSLR) B. HP PhotoSmart C618 (digital point-n-shoot) C. LG Wave (cellular phone) Good luck with your shooting!

How often do oil tankers find themselves under the cover of trees? Depends if the tankers are owned by Exxon. . . We have a few GPSrs and they go by two names: Yours and Mine.

This is a very interesting thread. It's unfortunate that the OP had a negative experience. We've met Conservation Officers in the woods and always had pleasant conversations. We even showed one where a container was, how to log it, etc. We explained the benefits of CITO and he actually thanked us. My advice is to research the rules in your area and even have printed copies with you in case you get questioned again. Don't let one bad experience keep you from enjoying your public lands.

Parody of the movie Clerks: Dante: This is important! How many caches did you find? Well?! Girlfriend: Umm. . .something like 36? Dante: What!? Something like 36!? Girlfriend: Lower your voice. . . Dante: Whoa, what is that? Something like 36. . .does that include my micro? Girlfriend: Well. . .37. . . Dante: Mine was 37!?! Girlfriend: I'm going to class. Dante (to customer): 37! My girlfriend found 37 caches! Customer: In a row?

It's still there and only has ONE find log. Come and get it! The water temperature is just about freezing right now and we just got fresh snow so dress appropriately.

Do you have rivers with rapids and/or waterfalls? We have a cache hidden under a pile of rocks, underwater at the base of a waterfall. To reach the area you have to walk upstream about 50 yards against strong current.

We only take the '93 Cherokee down that 'road'! Let me know when you're coming back up here and we'll be your 'guides' for that cache. I'll set up camp while you search for several hours. Then, just about dark, I'll point at it and we can all have a good laugh.

Oh how true! I recently took an outside sales position and was given about 185 addresses of current customers and prospects. I used the internet to convert the addresses to waypoints. Then I mapped the waypoints into routes and loaded my GPS. Sometimes being a geek pays off.