KG1960

Another thing to keep in mind is that some states require a permit to hide a cache in their state parks. Others require at least a verbal approval from the park manager. For example this is a link to the Illinois policy: http://www.dnr.state.il.us/lands/Landmgt/P.../Geocaching.htm

The basemap is not detailed and shows basically only Interstates and main highways. Check Garmin's website for pricing of the Topo maps. You may get them a bit cheaper elsewhere (?). Another suggestion (since you seem not to have bought the GPS yet) is to do like my son did. He got an Etrex (don't remember exactly which model) in a package that included the topo maps. So, look for package deals, he bought his from Dick's Sporting Goods.

Yes, you have to download a plugin from Garmin, but I thought that only works with Garmin units. I don't know if other brands have their own plugins.

From how I read your post, you came across the cache some time ago ????? There are several reasons why it may not be listed, a couple are it's listd on another website, or it's the final stage in a multi-stage cache (only the first stage would be actually listed). What's the most recent date in the log? I don't think you could list it yourself. Yes, what's the GC number, if you know it?

Hopefully on the log or other place there is the cache ID - starts with GC. If so, look up that cache. On the cache page is who placed it. Email them and ask what they would recommend. If not, then it becomes a bit more difficult. Is the last log date fairly recent? If it's a long time ago then maybe do nothing - the cache is probably already archived. If there is a recent date then try to email the recent finder (search for his/her online name). They may remember what cache it was. Thanks for being concerned about a cache. Good luck! Edit: Looks like we all replied at the same time!

I'm not fussy - just need a clean room in good condition, a TV set, and free WiFi. However, one important thing to satisfy when traveling is my tummy. I would be most interested in listings of good restaurants.

Another thought is: Do you have cookies enabled? There's a setting on the web browser that can block cookies (at various levels), so if the geocaching.com cookie is blocked, when you return to a page, it can't find your login info (or something like that?).

Looks like 32% of the first 100. My first cache was May 2006 so don't have five years yet.

There is no problem with a waymark at the same place as a geocache. Example: Along with geocaching I also waymark. I visited a town where I had not been before and made a list of caches that sounded interesting. One turned out to be on or near a railroad locomotive on permanent display. I then checked to see if the locomotive had been waymarked (there's a category for static locomotive displays). It hadn't been so when I was there, I gathered the necessary data to create a new waymark, which I did. Otherwise I would have counted it as a "visit". In fact I think the waymark and the geocache turned out to have the exact same coords!

I just looked - the uncompressed file size for the whole TopoUS2008 is about 3 gigs, so I would agree with the others that you ran out of memory space. I would guess other brands of topo maps would be comparable in size. Even with a 1 gig card, you would have to choose which part of the country you want loaded at any one time.

I'm the same way. I've been burned too many times. Having your our reliable pen is the way to go! Same here. My choice is a Gel pen that I keep in my pocket, never had a problem writing even on frozen, damp paper. A fine point Sharpie would be a good choice, too. Often the pens in the cache won't work even in the middle of summer or the pencil is broken or whittled down to next to nothing.

The closest unfound one to me is about 4 miles away. It's a micro on the outside of a building for a coffee shop in the middle of town. While it has many finds, it is not my idea of a fun cache, so I will continue to ignore it. The next closest is a earth cache which I have been wanting to do and will eventually try but not until the weather gets warm, the snow melts, etc. There are also several in the 8 to 10 mile range awaiting my visit.

I have my wooden nickels that I leave as a sig item but hardly ever take anything. I am also a rock hound who polishes rocks by the tumbling method. When my absent-minded brain remembers to take some, I'll put some polished rocks in a small plastic bag and leave that, but, again, I hardly ever take anything.

The State of Illinois DNR website has their various policies for the state parks here including their geocache policy (generally open to the idea). I would guess that Mississippi has a similar website with their state park policies on it.

Exactly my thoughts.

I have done something similar to this. I'm a rockhound who polishes rocks in a tumbler. Over time I have ended up with containers full of small polished rocks. I often put several rocks of different colors and patterns in small plastic bags and leave these in the caches I find. I almost never take anything from caches. From an occasional Found It log, others seem to have enjoyed these bags of rocks, especially kids.

Sorry, I don't have digital photos of this one, but GCR2EK (archived now) was a good, scenic guard rail cache. It is along US 34 between Loveland, CO and Estes park, CO (Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park). It is at a scenic pulloff. We likely would have stopped there to stretch our legs and enjoy the scenery even if there were no cache. It offered a view of mountains and hills with an occasional reports of big horn sheep sitings.

I agree that paperless may be more convenient, but I haven't gone that way yet. I usually do just a handfull at a time and do as Buggheart suggested: Copy and paste the significant data. Example: The family is going to my brothers house for Thanksgiving, and I selected some caches in his area to try. I have eight caches on only two sheets of paper (eight is more than we will have time for).

Same here. If I lose it, no big deal - only a buck! (edit: spelling)

I had a batch of wooden nickels made with the expectation that after leaving them in caches that they be traded and/or collected. Geocoins, I believe, may be a different matter.

I had a similar experience. I found a cache and commented along with several other finders that come fall when the leaves fall off, the cache would more or less be right out in the open. The CO saw the logic here and archived this cache and rehid it in a new location about a 100 yards away with a new GC number. I found it in the new location and logged a new find (same cache container and even same log book). New/different GC number = new find. Same GC number even if moved a few feet = not new find. I probably wouldn't even try to find it again in that circumstance.

Personally I very much dislike carrying stuff I won't use or don't need. What you need to bring varies greatly with where you are going to cache. If I go to city/county park and see from its size that I won't much more than a mile round trip hike, I won't need very much. It's summer time in central Illinois, so don't need warm hat or jacket. I do take extra batteries, wide brim hat to keep sun off my face, walking stick to poke around (don't want to come across some critter that might take exception to my hand poking around in its living room), bug repellent, and some water in the car. If I remember not to leave it in the car, a cell phone. There's a state park near herewith several caches. We found six of them one Saturday and walked maybe six miles. In this park one is never more than a half mile or so from a paved road or a full mile or so from a state or county highway, so one doesn't really need much survival gear there. I did carry water and my cell phone plus items mentioned above. Of course dress appropriately for the weather. Obviously, if you are going to go in some wilderness area with the possibility that you might get stuck over night, then, of course, you need a lot more items, as mentioned in previous posts. My point is, bring what the circumstances might require. Be knowledgeable of where you are going. I also would suggest don't try a wilderness trek if you don't have previous experience. BTW, mark the location of your car on your GPS.

Exactly right! I have found that when you get close to GZ and the arrow seems to be erratically jumping around, hold still for a few minutes - it may settle down and give a good reading. If that doesn't work. move away maybe 100 feet and start walking back. Note where the arrow and distance point, put the GPS away and go to that spot. I have had good luck doing these methods. Good luck!

Yes, exactly!

Would I be offended? No, if the worst thing that ever happened to me was accidently stumbling across some porn, I would feel very fortunate, although I don't think porn would be appropiate in any cache and I would dispose of it if found. I agree 100%.