RavenGuider

got the stickers ready ... thanks!!

On another forum I saw a comment regarding "cache in trash out". The poster was happily recounting the fact that he had come accross a cache with a film canister containing a grocery bag. The idea being you use the bag for litter, put a new bag in the canister and drop in in your next cache. I don't know if this is something that originated here, but I would love to adopt the idea for my own caches and finds. Any objections? Raven

Thanks for the advice everyone. Reading back, the word "duty" sounded stronger than I had intended... I meant "is it ok", or "should I have"..... seems most of you got the jist of my question. I'll start stocking my backpack with some extras for the next time! As for the traders... when your hunting with the kids "swag" is VERY important. Doesn't have to be fancy or expensive, they just like to have a momento of the occassion. Can't say I blame them. That being said, I can appreciate caching for the hunt as well. Raven

Again, checking on the "codes" I might be breaking.... I logged a find and then privately contacted the owner to tell them the cache needs tlc. I left a few items of interest for the next people to find, but did not feel it was my place to remove the broken toys, soggy notebook or other nasty items we found. (Even the kids couldn't find anything of interest to trade.) Is caches in this state common? I'm sure the owner didn't realize... it's a couple years old and is the obvious victim of people trading down rather than up (or even lateral). Does my duty end here? Should I have cleaned it out? Was it even my duty to make note of the condition of the cache, or should I have chalked it up to a bad find and kept my opinion to myself? Raven

"Carpe Diem".... sieze the day. Some translate it as being irresponsible and not considering the consequences of your actions... I translate it as grasping opportunity and being spontaneous.

Thanks for clearing that up! GC is more of an adrenaline rush, but the LB is creating a nice scrapbook for the kids and I.... I'll continue to do both. Raven

I've heard rumours that letterboxers frown on geocachers... is that true for all? Anyone do both? Is there a protocol for mixing the two??

We drive a minivan... what else would a family of 6 own?? Interestingly enough, I did ask my husband tonight if we could buy a Jeep... the bottom of the van took a beating today looking for a cache! He said no. This was supposed to be a cheap hobby. (Ha Ha) Raven

My real name is Natasha. Screen name is RavenGuider (I'm a Girl Guide leader and my camp name is Raven) I'm brand new at the game. Learned the basics at a National Girl Guide camp in Guelph last month. Just purchased my first GPs... it's pretty basic, Magellen 210, but it's doing what I need it to do. I have four children, Caitlin is 12, Jenna 9, Madison 5 and Luke is 3. They've been out with me for the last couple of days. They call it treasure hunting. So far we've found four caches.... none hidden on our own yet- we hope to get one out this weekend. We've been doing some letterboxing as well. (I understand there is a divide between the letterbox and geocache societies???) I'm hosting a camp with some Guides this month and look forward to teaching them about the game. Hope to get to know some of you online, Raven