ARHogFanz

What an awesome trip. Congratulations!

This week, I have found 3 that stand out for different reasons; all 3 have quickly become favs. Here's what has made them my favs: 1) The first was a hike with a series of caches that ended with a cache with a gorgeous view. The view from the 3rd cache made the sweat & effort getting up to it worth it in spades. It was obvious that the CO put an incredible amount of thought into the journey as well as the destination/view at the top. 2) The second was in a cemetery. It was an offset multi designed to honor our veterans. The cache provided a valuable reminder of our history and that freedom isn't free. In addition to the reminder, I was in awe of the amount of work the CO put into it. 3) The third was a quick PNG that was hidden in plain sight. What made this one a fav is that the CO put a lot of thought and effort into making the camo look like an obvious part of the landscape, and it wasn't a rock or other natural object. If you weren't caching, you wouldn't have thought twice about it. So I guess what makes a cache a fav for me is creativity and thought on the part of the co. However, I also appreciate the quick PNG's on those days when I just want a quick grab.

DNF logs are valuable tools for me as a relative noob. If I can't find a cache, I check the logs and see that some of the more experienced cachers in the area haven't found it either, I don't feel quite as bad. I sometimes check the logs before I go. If there are several DNFs, especially by those experienced cachers, that tells me that I need to plan on giving myself plenty of time to look or maybe to skip it until a found or maintenance performed log is posted. I also like to go back and check the logs of the caches that I've posted a DNF on. If they've been found since I looked, that tells me that I need to go back and look harder. Lastly, I would think that adding my log to the DNF logs of those before me, especially the experienced cachers, would be valuable info to the CO that the cache may have been muggled. Just the 2 cents of a noob. Melissa

No. Geocaches are like desserts. Some are snackwell cookies or cheap popcorn, others are homemade pie or outrageous chocolaty things. Sometimes a box of snackwells or a bag of popcorn is all you need or want. Other times you need something else. Sounds like you frequently need something else. Learn how to better search for it, and your geocaching sweet tooth will be happier. This hit the nail on the head for me. Sometimes, I'm out running errands in shorts and flipflops and like to hit some PNG's that don't require being dressed in cache attire (boots & jeans) to help increase my experience & numbers. Other days, I like to get dressed for caching & go hit those really neat hides that require some hiking. Also, in a small town, you may only have a few active CO's. If there were a limit, it would also limit the fun for those of us out looking. We have about 3-4 CO's in this area who have placed the majority of the caches and I for one, am greatful for all their hard work. Once we stop moving so frequently, I can't wait to join the ranks of the COs & add to someone else's fun. Just a noob's 2 cents.

I went after my first FTF today and lucked out and scored 2. Yes, when I signed the logs, I did put "FTF". However, the only reason I did this is that after 100+ finds, I wanted just one. I finally got them on caches 131 & 132. Am I going out of my way for a FTF from now on? Probably not. Am I going to track my stats? Probably not. It was fun to finally get one; the second was just the icing on the cake. Now it's time to get back to the thrill of the hunt - whether I'm #1 or #101.

I'm still a newbie (only 125 finds) but here's my own personal protocol for logging DNF's: If I only gave it 5 minutes or a quick cursory search, or for whatever reason didn't go after it once I got to the general location (muggles, park was closed, realized I wasn't dressed appropriately once I got to the general vicinity, etc...) then I don't log a DNF b/c I don't feel that I gave the co an honest effort at finding their cache. However, if I spent at least 10-15 minutes leaving no stone unturned and feel that I gave it a solid effort, then I definitely log a DNF. If I couldn't sign the log because it was wet or the log was full, I log a note, usually a needs maintenance. After I see that the co has noted they put in a new log, I go back & sign it then log it as a find. CO's, I hope this is ok with you. Melissa

I was in the Army Reserves from '88-'94, first as a supply specialist then as an Adjutant General Corps officer. Since 1990, I have been an Army Wife. I hung up my uniform because I figured one of us needed to stay home with the kids; since he was active duty & I was just a reservist, I was fine with him staying in. Hubby just rolled over 21 years this May & is still going. I love the life, both in uniform & out and wouldn't trade it for the world.

I use a CamelBak Day Star that is designed for women and love it; I've had it for several years now. It has a 2L water bladder in it. What I love about it is that it also doubles as my quick response bag for Search & Rescue since the basic elements stay the same. I can convert it from one use to another in less than 2 minutes.

Beware of banjos!

There's a cache near my home that involves going under a bridge that crosses the Arkansas River in a rural area. It's about a 3 minute walk to gz from the parking area. I was out caching by myself in the middle of the day & decided to go after that one, since it looked interesting. The closer I got to the cache, the more uncomfortable I got. When that inner voice in my head started screaming "Get out NOW!" I finally turned around & went back to the car, never even really beginning the search. Nothing happened, and I didn't see anything suspicious, but I just got a real bad vibe. Even now, I won't go after it even if my husband is with me. Something just keeps warning me away. Who knows?????

I'm just a regular member (at least until I go back to work) & don't have any problem with the Premium Caches & memberships. What we get for free on this site is fantastic & personally, I think those of us who are regular members have no right to complain. If you have an Android phone, the needed apps are free so it's a cheap hobby for those of us who don't hide caches. (Due to hubby being military, we don't stay in one place long enough for me to hide caches, which I would LOVE to do.) Could you put aside $2-3/week and save up for that PM? Just my 2 cents worth. Melissa

I have no problem hugging a tree if there's no decent bathroom around. Give me a tree over a portajohn any day!

Papa, I've got the Droid X and use the c:geo app and love it. Even though I have a Garmin Rhino available to me as part of my search & rescue gear, I usually just use my Droid. Most of the time, it's almost as accurate as the Rhino and does the job nicely. I love being able to go paperless and not have to worry about having a gpsr with me at all times if the urge hits to get some easy caches when I'm out running errands.

I'm not Hawkeyetob but I'll tell you why I'm very careful about posting pictures of my children online - pervs & pedophiles. There is plenty of software that allows you to find out where a picture was taken and other info. It's not hard these days to locate someone, whether they want to be found or not. Yes, I post pics of my 3 teens on FB but restrict those pictures to friends only. As to the topic at hand - I love the idea of the camera as long as there's a disclaimer up front. Go for it!

Greetings all. A friend in our camping club introduced us to geocaching back in '06. We cached off & on as the urge would hit in '06 & '07. After a 4 year hiatus, I decided to start caching again to get even more out of my hikes. I'm trying to lose weight and hate to work out so have decided to hike at least once/week (I usually only do 4-6 miles). We're blessed to live near the highest point between the Rockies & the Appalachians so there are plenty of caches in & around Mt. Magazine State Park. Here lately, I've been going for some physical therapy in a nearby town (nothing serious - just a little shoulder thing). I thought I knew the town pretty well but thanks to the caches, I'm seeing parts of it that I never knew existed. I'm constantly amazed by how many caches there are within just 15 miles of my house. So many caches, so little time... Melissa

The c:geo app for Android works great for paperless. LOVE it!