wandering4cache
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Posts posted by wandering4cache
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The other night I decided to go read some of the cache logs from out very first hidden/adopted cache hidden in 2001. It got me to thinking about how fun it was to have an adventure of really trying to find that cache. Parking wasn't given. People parked on wrong side of river and thought nothing of crossing the shallow river or finding a fallen tree to walk across on. NORMAL people too. Not the serious outdoors type. lol They went thru prickers, biting flies, mud puddles.....to find this cache.
Gosh, you don't see logs like than anymore.
<snip>
You think not?
Try reading through the logs on this cache... my log in here doesn't mention falling in the creek, but I was one of about seven people who have!There's a photo in that cache's gallery that kind of worries me.
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Metric system? You mean that stuff they taught us in 1974 that we were going to need some day? I've forgotten most of that by now. Only so much room in this brain.
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The other night I decided to go read some of the cache logs from out very first hidden/adopted cache hidden in 2001. It got me to thinking about how fun it was to have an adventure of really trying to find that cache. Parking wasn't given. People parked on wrong side of river and thought nothing of crossing the shallow river or finding a fallen tree to walk across on. NORMAL people too. Not the serious outdoors type. lol They went thru prickers, biting flies, mud puddles.....to find this cache.
Gosh, you don't see logs like than anymore.
Also got me to thinking that the few caches hidden in MA at the time were really nicely hidden caches too. Just for the heck of it, I think I'm going to sort by GSAK database & map those few caches that existed when we started caching. Just to remember what it used to be like to have to drive 20 miles to get to the next nearest cache and how great of an adventure it was to find it.
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Oh....a few other things for your cache just incase you didn't:
the stash note goes inside the ziploc bag with the logbook. I like to laminate our stash notes & leave them as the first thing seen when opening the cache.
ziploc bag for logbook & anything that might be ruined by moisture.
pens or pencils (I also zip tie a pencil sharpener to the log book)
Label the logbook too with cache name, GC# & contact info.
Also, since you are military (like us), if you ever hide an ammo can, PLEASE spray paint it to remove all traces of military writting....and be sure to label it good ....both sides.
Like someone mentioned above, it is generally preferred that someone have a good number of finds under their belt before hiding a cache. Not only for the knowledge of what makes a good hide vs bad hide, but also for responsiblity to the geocaching community so we don't become a nuisance to law enforcement. I also have a personal thought that if you've found many caches, then you might be sticking with the game and you can actually maintain your cache. Nothing worse than a new cacher hiding a cache, then quitting in 2 months. Who maintains that cache then? Who retrieves it after it gets left behind for becoming geolitter?
Just things you notice after hanging around for 6 years.
Enjoy your new hobby. Read the forums. Learn from others. Go have fun!
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Don't forget the stash note (the note that goes inside that explains what this container is & what geocaching is incase its found by accident.) You can print that off from the bottom of the "hide & seek a cache" page here on geocaching.com. Bottom right hand side.
Also, please be sure to label the cache very well on the outside so its not mistaken for a bomb. It should read something like: Official Geocache Gamepiece. Do Not Remove. www.geocaching.com GC##### In case of emergency, contact: Jonny Ryan Mac at xxxxxxxxxxxx
That last part can be an email address, a phone # or your profile at geocaching.com
There are also premade stickers that look nice & official available here at the Groundspeak store.
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We have a 60cs & have followed these directions. Basically, you are changing the closed cache icon on the GPS to icons that match geocaching cache type icons and the GSAK icons. (Nice!) You also replace the open "found" cache icon with a smiley. This way more sense than closed & open treasure chest!!!
http://www.thepropers.com/geocaching/60Ser...stomSymbols.htm
Just follow everything step by step and you should be good.
The instructions are a few years old, so it doesn't have the Wherigo icon. Maybe you can assign something else for that if it interests you.
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It helps sometimes to slow the playing of the file. Windows XP has a nifty little tool called "Sound Recorder" that can play & slow down the file. Start, All Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, Sound Recorder.
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Do you use GSAK? Go check out the macro library on gsak.net. There is a macro there that will copy all your logs into the notes/log section of the cache in gsak. Just run that macro after logging caches. I have all my logs but I'm not really worried about one being deleted.
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I have an old Sony Clie' so the best I can do is cut and paste but it is great to not carry tons of paper anymore. I am jealous of Stargranny though she just uses her BB. Started using the Sony since it didn't sync with my Outlook calendar for work I figured if I lost in the woods I would upgrade. Still haven't lost it.
???
I use an old Sony Clie NX73V/U for paperless caching thanks to ebay. Pocket Queries to GSAK (in PC) to Cachemate (on Sony Clie). Its just like seeing the cache page. You can do Pocket Queries to Cachemate if you want & bypass using GSAK, but not sure exactly what you end up seeing on the Sony then.
Works like a charm. We can even record our logs in cachemate on the Sony, use GSAK to upload the log to gc.com. I only use that method for heavy caching days though.
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Just came back from my local Walmart and noticed these in the clearance aisle. $7
You know those maps of the US states you see on RVs? Well they have them on clearance. How cool would that be to use it for states you've cached in if going to a large multi-state meet & attach it in your car (or rental car) window?
It attaches by suction cup to inside of window. You can also turn the suction cups around & the map becomes reversible. Its vinyl with peel & stick state stickers. Also includes small stickers with years & months to put on top of the state stickers.
In my store, clearance aisle is where seasonal items are, near the garden shop.
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I've already started my PQs, routes & picking caches. Never too early. We are visiting 5 different areas of CA, so lots of data to collect.
Caches along a route: routes picked in Google Earth & MapSource. PQs for that limited to traditionals & virtuals only. 1/2 mile from route. Terr & Diff 2 or less. Still came up with too many to possibly find. The route around Tahoe however we expanded the distance, diff & terr & included some other cache types.
PQs for cities: Just pulled nearest 500 of the type, diff & terrain we felt like doing in each area.
Running all PQs once a week from now till needed. GSAK can take out the non-actives for me just before we need the data. (If not active or updated in last GPX file, I delete.)
I also hand pick a few certain caches to do in the area or along the way. Allow about 15 minutes per cache along route added to driving time OR like others said, you'll never arrive.
We plan on running PQs one last time about 2 days before actually needed in CA. This allows time for GC.com to run them, us to receive them, and us to find time & internet access with our laptop. We'll just purge GPS & PDA of unwanted info & reload with what's needed for next couple of days. Maps, routes, caches, & special waypoints like hotel....
Planning for this trip has taught me more about paperless caching & USING it than we've learned in the past year alone. We even have the automated logging thing from Cachemate/GSAK down now. woohoo
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Is it just me or does anyone else see humor in folks scouring the numbers for inaccuracy on a site called It's Not About The Numbers?
I'm not ALL about the numbers, but our numbers have become more important to me lately. More so because we are FINALLY near 500. Took way too long. Work got in the way.I actually like the pretty colors on the map more.
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I want to help figure out which 2 of our caches are missing. How are you figuring this out?
Well, I found the first one by luck. I have found caches in every Ohio county but when I looked at the Ohio map, Knox County wasn't filled in.
I haven't looked seriously beyond that. If I were going to do that, I'd have to use GSAK.
From GSAK, I know the errors for me involve Indiana and Ohio. I also have the county filled in for every cache so I can further subdivide the states by county and compare those counts to INATN.
I think Dave will figure this out without additional help, but if he needed to know what was missing for me, I'd start down the list of Ohio and Indiana counties, comparing his count to GSAK. Once I knew the county, I could look at his detailed list vs mine.
OK, might not be anything i can really figure out then since most of ours are near home with the exception of the ones hubby finds while on business travel or the few away weekends we've done.
I'll take a peak at those just incase.
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I want to help figure out which 2 of our caches are missing. How are you figuring this out?
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Yeah, our stats are back. I just uploaded file I pulled on 4/10. However, its off by 2. We haven't cached since 4/10 and all caches were logged before pulling PQ.
Also notice it says we've attended 1 CITO, but we haven't. And in the bottom chart, the green line isn't as steep as it used to be. Meaning our dot is alot closer to the green line than it ever was. lol
I have no idea what 2 caches are missing. I just noticed it.
Caching milestones are off also. Wrong caches & wrong dates.
I also confirmed the PQ had the right number in it when opened in GSAK.
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Ice cream on Fridays? Darn!
We went on a Monday and received a Groundspeak Lackey coin from Signal instead. Very happy with the coin.
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Even though our caches are on public land, we have obtained permission and notified the supervisor / caretaker of the areas. Historical Society, cemetery super, and Army Corp of Engineers. Cemetery super actually maintains all monuments in town. One being the remains of a historical fort from 1690's.
His being aware helped us come up with a better hiding place and helped us retrieve another of our caches when over zealous boy scouts got carried away with brush removal and our "rock" went missing. We were able to pass the word & get our "rock" back. lol He even called me to tell me he heard it had been located & to tell me where it was.
Couldn't be happier with relationship we have with town. Especially since most of our caches tend to be of a historical nature.
When going to seek permission, I bring this brochure & leave our name, address, phone #, email address & GC screenname on the back of it. http://geocacher-u.com/content/blogcategory/37/55/
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I still can't believe this happened!!!
Our last night on vacation we played mini golf, then got ice cream. A lady at the ice cream parlour asked us if we'd been to see any of the historic covered bridges, and told us about this one. I didn't have coords, didn't even know there was a cache here, just out sight-seeing with the kids. As I'm pulling out to leave, I spot "something". It basically looked like a shadow, but out of place.
Me: "Is that what I think it is?"
Oldest daughter: "Is it a Geocache?".
I go check it out...sure enough! A magnetic! I was laughing like a madwoman as we signed that log!
How often does that happen?
Once in a large city park, I found a cache while looking for a place to hide one.
I signed the log, wrote down the coords .
When I arrived home I tried to find it's listing ,and it's position on the maps.
Never found out who it was listed with , But I am signed in on the log.
You probably found the final stage to a multi or a puzzle. You should go back & get the cache name & log it. I would!
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Driving home from Cape Cod, I thought I remembered a cache hidden along the canal. No GPS, no real recollection of what the cache page said. Took a walk where I would hide a cache.....and found a letterbox! First letterbox & thought it was a cache at first. Cache listing I remember was actually over 2 miles away. lol
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I see no problem with someone adopting a cache if: last 3 visits said cache needed maintance badly, reviewer sent email / posted, owner hasn't signed in in over a year or performed requested maintance, cache is archived & sits rotting in the woods for another year. That's 2 yrs of not hearing from owner. You need to stay an ACTIVE owner or ACTIVE member if you want to keep your caches. Active means maintaining your cache & responding to emails.
For the example linked above, I think its really because of his other cache. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...=y&decrypt=
Don't know what happened there since it looks like logs may have been deleted. Can't see when it changed ownership, but clearly not enough time went by. Would never suggest adoption in that short timeframe. Never!
If someone wants to maintain an archived cache, I would never remove it, but not crazy about leaving geolitter in the woods either. Also would never remove or suggest archiving a historic or OLD cache. We would post to forum looking for someone to adopt if owner long gone & unreachable.
BTW, when I say adopt, I don't always mean change in ownership. Someone can adopt a cache by simply becoming the caretaker. We did that for our first find. Everytime someone said it was missing or needed something, we took care of it since it was close by & owner wasn't around much. He finally contacted us & said we could have it if we wanted it since we were taking such good care of it anyway. lol So, our first find became our first owned cache.
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In MA, we have a cacher who maintains a bookmark list of "Archived Caches that probably still exist". I can't find it right now, but I believe its for the sake of trying to remove geo-litter from our area. Ex: When a reviewer archives a cache & the owner has been long gone from the sport & never logs on again.
I like his idea and have checked out a few in the area only to pleasantly find that the cache had been removed....by someone already. Then I just let him know he can remove it from his list.
If a cache is indeed found & in really bad shape, I would remove it & try to contact the owner to see if they wanted the container or log. Sure they wouldn't reply. I've had bad luck with people replying about TBs once they've left the sport.
If it was in good shape, it probably wouldn't have been suggested needing maintance and the reviewer wouldn't have archived it. CITOing out geolitter is good idea.
I haven't found an archived cache yet that's in great shape or in a great shape (haven't search for that many). If it was still a good cache, I would leave it, log it, & perhaps see if someone wanted to try to adopt it. If not, it eventually needs to be removed. We've adopted 3 out of our 10 caches. If it has logs in notebook from cachers not from gc.com, I wouldn't touch it since probably listed on another site. I don't take any action on archived caches for months / years. Not right after archiving. That gives owner plenty of time to remove it, fix it, relist it elsewhere & non-gc.com cachers to find it & write in log.
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...remember to change it on the Welcome screen of your GPS, PDA and any other electronics so if they are lost, you can be contacted.
GPS was one of the last places we remembered to change.
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I have different results in different browser. Garmin Communicator won't work in AOL. Works in IE6. In IE7, there is an extra message on top of window (that I missed the first 2 times). Just needed to agree, then it worked fine.
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I use the same USB cable for 3 Canon cameras & 2 Garmin GPS. Makes live easy. If I remember correctly, the cable came with one of the cameras. Seems I have multiple extras hanging around too now.
Reminiscing ........
in General geocaching topics
Posted
True! But wrong picture.
