TopDeadCenter

70777 checking in. That's a good number for me, because I'm a bean counter for a slot machine manufacturing company. Also, I've flown to London on a Boeing 777. It's like having a vanity membership number...

I took this test months ago. They want you to pay for a detailed report, not for the actual score. I've received no spam from them. But just to be safe, I gave them my juno address. I got a 147.

quote:Originally posted by Skigirl43:Maybe a lot of you are a lot easier going than me, but if my car, home, whatever was broken into, I'd feel violated. Forget about it and call the insurance company? Easy to say, but I know it would really bother me. I'm sorry but the "punish the guilty, but let it go" philisophy doesn't do it for me. I'd rather find the person and hang them up by their thumbs...but that's just me. I agree, and so does our local DA! News Article Man caught vandalizing van in stable condition A 24-year-old man shot in the chest by a woman who caught him vandalizing her vehicle Wednesday remained stable in intensive care Thursday, police said.But police had little new information on the shooting, because they have been unable to interview the man, whom doctors are keeping unconscious, said Lt. Marc Conley with University of Nevada, Reno police. Conley declined to release the name of either person. The woman had not been charged on Thursday. The woman had dropped off two children about 9 a.m. Wednesday for a doctor appointment at the Nelson Building, a UNR facility at 401 W. Second St., police said. When the woman went back to her van that displayed a parking permit, she found a man vandalizing the vehicle, police said. The woman fired one bullet into the man’s chest and then sat next to the building to wait for police to arrive. The man had been seen throwing rocks at cars but was not armed, Conley said. Conley said the woman had a permit to carry the weapon.

I currently have a missing TB in one of my caches. I believe some non-geocachers picked it up. I don't necessarily think missing TB's are the result of malisiciousness, but a lack of knowledge. Let's take a look at the text on a TB: "I go from place to place, picking up stories along the way. Visit www.Groundspeak.com to learn more about me and add me to your own!" Assuming a TB get's picked up by a non-geocacher, or a novice cacher, the text on the tag doesn't give much information. Sure, hopefully whoever finds it will visit the webpage for more info. But what if they don't have a computer, or they forget? Then you have a MIA TB. The tag should have a better explanation of it's purpose, and say something like "Please don't take me if you don't want to play along." I've seen TB's with attached info cards that fulfill this purpose, but since all TB's have the metal tag, this info should be on the tag. -JD-

Philanthropists who like to place caches! 0 found 35 placed By reading the other cache logs, they appear to be legit. With the popularity of reality game shows, this seems really cool. As one person noted: "This should be better than watching Push, Nevada."

I picked Charlotte up last weekend here in Nevada. I flew out to St. Louis, Missouri on a business trip and placed her in a cache in a "fancy" neighborhood. I got kind of worried when I started reading the descriptions of the caches in that area. Since it's an urban area most of the caches are small. Charlotte is carrying some "luggage" so it was a tight squeeze. But I think she's cozy. Thanks for a great TB and hope she has a safe and adventerous journey home! Jeremy

--You find yourself in the middle of the desert taking pictures of benchmark disks, in hopes that they're listed in the database. --You find yourself driving on dirt roads in a forest at midnight, and never worry about getting lost because you can always backtrack out. --You've ever pretended your GPS was a cellphone when someone "catches" you. --Your 5 year old nephew 'finds' a box of toys in the middle of the desert and already knows to only take one item and leave one item instead of taking all the toys. --You wash all the dirt off your 4x4, only to get it dirty the next day. --You buy souvenirs before you leave on a trip, so you'll have something to put in caches when you get there. --You don't assume .25 miles is close-by during a hunt. --You've driven 60 miles just to place a travel bug. [This message was edited by TopDeadCenter on October 24, 2002 at 08:45 PM.]

If all else fails, go virtual! There are hundreds of awesome places for virtual caches in Desolation Wilderness. They can't be stolen.

quote:Originally posted by VentureForth:Called the cops because I heard you got a hummer in georgia? I don't know. Is it illegal to own a Hummer in Georgia? I don't think it's illegal to OWN a hummer in Georgia, but it used to be illegal to GET a hummer!

This thread got me to do some research about the NSS. NSS website They actually look like an interesting organization, that faces the some of the same issues we do as Geocachers. They have a Land Owners Relation committee. I know there are regional geocaching groups, but we will need a bigger voice. Everyday more people participate in Geocaching, and the "bad press" we've seen will increase as well. Geocaching could use some sort of national education/ relations committee. Virtually every hobby and recreation has some sort of organization that serves to educate the public. We should all do our part as individuals to set a good example, but there is strength in numbers. A little coordination can go a long way. This message board and the events calendar are good, but a club listing on the site would make things easier, and encourage participation and formation. Maybe this has been discussed already. Even if so, it's worth discussing again. As I see it, this incident left a bad taste in a lot of people's mouths. If the cavers knew more about who we are, they might not have acted in the way they did. Maybe we would have seen things from their perspective sooner. No matter how you feel about this incident, if long standing groups like NSS get a bad impression of Geocaching, whether deserved or not, it won't help us.

quote:Originally posted by SteveL:But each time we consent to having store security search our bags/cart as we leave a store (Fry's Costco, etc.), are we not turning our back on the 4th Amendment? Unfortunatly no. The 4th amendment limits the power of government. If they had police checking receipts, then it would apply.

quote:Originally posted by SteveL:But each time we consent to having store security search our bags/cart as we leave a store (Fry's Costco, etc.), are we not turning our back on the 4th Amendment? Unfortunatly no. The 4th amendment limits the power of government. If they had police checking receipts, then it would apply.

quote:Originally posted by BrianSnat:Could one of the opponents of Geocaching have done this so they could come back later with the "authorities" to point out the destruction caused by Geocaching? Or maybe, a highly educated government employee though he/she found an ancient archiological site. Seriously though, if there was a fire in the area, it was probably flagged by a fire crew for further investigation. The average hiker/geocacher isn't likely to carry red flagging tape. Fire crews do use flagging however. [This message was edited by TopDeadCenter on September 17, 2002 at 12:34 PM.]

quote:Originally posted by BrianSnat:Could one of the opponents of Geocaching have done this so they could come back later with the "authorities" to point out the destruction caused by Geocaching? Or maybe, a highly educated government employee though he/she found an ancient archiological site. Seriously though, if there was a fire in the area, it was probably flagged by a fire crew for further investigation. The average hiker/geocacher isn't likely to carry red flagging tape. Fire crews do use flagging however. [This message was edited by TopDeadCenter on September 17, 2002 at 12:34 PM.]

When a cache is archived, it is still visible on the website. I think this is so others who have found it, still have it as part of their 'found total.' I think only admin can completely remove a cache from the website.

quote:Originally posted by kurtuleas:BTW, I would not recommend nerf bars on your rig, they just get in the way. The more clearance the better. KURTULEAS Actually, my brother designed some low profile nerf bars. They don't hang down much, and aren't as likely to get hung up.

quote:Originally posted by kurtuleas:BTW, I would not recommend nerf bars on your rig, they just get in the way. The more clearance the better. KURTULEAS Actually, my brother designed some low profile nerf bars. They don't hang down much, and aren't as likely to get hung up.

quote:Originally posted by kurtuleas:BTW, I would not recommend nerf bars on your rig, they just get in the way. The more clearance the better. KURTULEAS Actually, my brother designed some low profile nerf bars. They don't hang down much, and aren't as likely to get hung up.

Just go for it! Once a cache is listed, there is usually a 'race' to be the first to find it. You don't need to volunteer, or get any approval to find it. Have fun.

There are a few caches here in Nevada where 4x4 is very helpful. I went to one a couple weeks ago. I may try some more difficult trails once I get some nerf bars. When writing the cache description for a cache, you could include the phrase: Serious 4x4. Then people could type that phrase in the search page to find some of these type of caches. This cache looks like it would be a good example. [This message was edited by TopDeadCenter on September 16, 2002 at 09:04 PM.]

There are a few caches here in Nevada where 4x4 is very helpful. I went to one a couple weeks ago. I may try some more difficult trails once I get some nerf bars. When writing the cache description for a cache, you could include the phrase: Serious 4x4. Then people could type that phrase in the search page to find some of these type of caches. This cache looks like it would be a good example. [This message was edited by TopDeadCenter on September 16, 2002 at 09:04 PM.]

This seems like an obvious topic, sorry if there is an existing thread. Today was my only day off for 2 weeks, so I was really looking forward to doing some caching. I have a guide of some good historic routes and spent the week planning a day of exploring and caching. I had 6 caches planned for the day. A clogged Catalytic Converter cost me half the day. Found one cache. Began search for secong. About 10 miles later, some electrical wiring caught fire. Had to do a quick 'McGyver' fix to get home. At least I found one today. Oh well, the worst day caching is better than the best day working. JD [This message was edited by TopDeadCenter on September 15, 2002 at 12:51 AM.]

I always take a VHF or UHF handheld Ham Radio. In a lot of remote places a cell phone can't get out. You'll need to get a licence from the FCC. There is a forum for Geocaching hams on this site where you can get more info if interested. 73 JD N7FSV

Go to: Magellan 315 Update Hope it helps... you'll need the optional data cable to perform the upgrade. JD

As a ham radio operator, I'm used to people thinking I've got a strange hobby. If someone asks why you do you Geocache?, ask them "Why do people go bird watching?" or "Why do people catch and release fish?" The British should be more keen to doing Geocaching... judging by the sport of Trainspotting. I think the main benefit of Geocaching is it's a goal oriented hike. You get exercise, and you're learning about topography, and orientation. If everyone carried a GPS, and a 2 way radio or cell phone, the amount of lost hikers would be drastically reduced. Especially with the numbers of trained users found here. In ham radio, there are numerious contests where people try to contact as many different other people as possible. The underlying idea is that it provides good training for disaster communications. I guess something similar could be said about Geocaching.