PlantAKiss

I arrived at a cache location and found a bra and a thong. Oh, and I found the cache too.

Don't you just want to scream from answering the same questions over and over and over? I tried to find some answers searching but didn't see what I needed. I got the Premium membership renewal email. It had a link so I clicked that. It took me to a page where I was supposed to re-enter all my same information...name, address, etc. That didn't seem right. A renewal should be just keeping an account continuing. Why fill in info you already had on file? So I abandoned that. Then I did find a link for "renewal" in some topic I found so I used that. That seemed more appropriate saying "Membership RENEWAL". It said I had to enter in a PayPal receipt No. that begins with an S. SO I went to PayPal and hunted down past transactions, finally found my PP payment, found the "S" number...go back to the renewal page and proudly enter the number and hit submit thinking it will take me to a PP page so I can pay the fee, thus renewing my account. It told me I had already submitted that information. Sooo...does that mean I renewed twice, or that it was just referring to my old account info, and that I do not have a renewed membership? I hit the submit button twice so maybe now I have paid twice? OR maybe I have done nothing at all but fumble around for the last 15 when I should have been in bed long ago. It looks like it would be simple...and probably is. Go to site, click on renew button, go to PP page, click membership fee button, send....DONE. If someone can let me know how I've managed to complicate something soon...membership rinses of I think May 16th. So....help.

The few virts I've done, I've really enjoyed. I wish they were still allowed. Wouldn't it be up to the reviewer to refuse a virt of an animal carcass? I love Earthcaches because they are geological. It's a fun teaching tool. The only one I've done, I got so excited by the interesting location, I forgot to gather the required info. 100 mile round trip I'll have to do again one day. Considering some the caches I've seen, I don't see where virts could possibly be any worse. What's different about a stinking, sodden, molding cache with 50 "wet cache" log notices and a smelly animal carcass? They are both icky.

Hi Scubaham...fellow VA cacher. haha! That was me. I own 5 caches and I offered 15th to Find prizes in 3 or 4 of those. Since the vast majority of cachers are nice and honest folk, everyone has honored my request as I knew they would. When I first started caching, I thought I'd get some FTFs. Wasn't long before I realized that would be next to impossible for me. I have 1.5 FTFs and they were accidental. My personal opinion is...if you have a whole bunch of FTFs...why not lay back a bit and allow some others to have the fun of a blank log? I think this is just my upbringing...I was taught not to be greedy. So even if I COULD go out caching at 3 a.m. or leave work in the middle of the day and knew I would be the FTFer...I would choose not to do so EVERY time. Like...don't take the biggest cookie every time, just because you can. And so, it was in honor of the pokey cachers like me who can't be the first every time that I have done the 15th to Find. It's just added a little fun to those on the trail behind the FTFer. I have a few other things up my sleeve for the LTFers (later to find).

Ohhh. It said "TBXXX" so I thought it would be the reference number. Yippee! Thanks! Always a helpful answer Blue Deuce!

Sorry. I have tried a number of times to search this topic and came up with zero. So I'm going to have to ask. Since my magnetic vehicle TB did not stick to my car (a very enlightening revelation), I have passed it to a friend so at least someone can enjoy it. I was so excited when I received it, I immediately activated it having no clue it might not stick. SO...it is now in the hands of another cacher (I hid it and gave him the coordinates so he had to hunt for it...hehe) and I cannot find how to adopt out my TB so that he becomes the new owner. I tried GC.com/adopt but all I got was "cannot find that listing" when I entered the tracking number. (BTW...how come you can't search "TB" when its such a common term? It's hard to search for topics on TBs when you can't enter that in the search field because its too short. Then again I could be doing something entirely wrong in my searches.) I'd appreciate any help. I know he wants to get this bug into a trackable mode.

Most people have answered your question. Film cannisters are not watertight, no matter how much you THINK they should/would be. Now...the pertinent issue is...what do you do about it. I know of a local cache, placed by someone with 0 finds (at that time), that is a plastic, snap-lid coffee cannister (not watertight) that was placed in what was obviously a wetland/flood area. There were numerous "wet log" notes. After the cache owner went and poured all the water out, they put back the same container in the same area...but placed a big baggie over the top. Open baggie...not sealed. I politely emailed the newbie owner and told her that her container wasn't watertight and gently suggested she try an ammo can. She wrote a nice reply and thanked me for the information. But to this day, the cache remains the same leaky container and wet logs continue to be mentioned. Point is...hopefully you can change your cache container to something that IS watertight...like the suggested match-holder containers. And then everyone will be happy with a dry log...including you! By the way, once even a LITTLE moisture gets into a "sealed" container, the water evaporates and then condenses on just about everything in the container. So even a little rain dripping off someone's coat into an ammo can will cause dampness inside.

I was caching alone in an unfamilar park with trails crisscrossing all over the place. The day hadn't gone very well to begin with (my fault, I had forgotten my paper cache descriptions). I was almost at GZ when my GPSr died. Died meaning broke. The sun was setting. I had no idea where I was. I had even remembered to mark the parking lot but that didn't do me any good. I felt a little panicky because I was afraid if I chose a trail, it would just take me deeper into the park on more trails I didn't know. I was just imagining myself wandering around in the woods til it got dark and having to call someone to come rescue me. lol Thankfully, after some thoughtful consideration of the surrounding area, I made a choice of trails and it turned out I was just a bit away from the parking lot. I was so relieved I didn't have to embarrass myself by having to be "rescued."

Thou makest too much of my query. I didn't lay down on the ground and have a tantrum. I didn't think about it for days on end. I didn't scream or yell or throw things. I was a little irritated to see it. It passed. Mainly I was curious as to whether this was common since I hadn't seen it before. It seems like its not common. So...cool. Question answered. Some people have seen similar markings and some haven't. Well, again, the park uses that area to dump a little plant debris, so, its neither a trail people use nor is "my geotrail." Just a little open area which I suggested a cacher might or might not choose as an easy entrance into the woods. Some people will just plunge in the messy way. There is no trail to my cache. It's thrash-and-seek. I do think that most people would choose this entry into the woods simply because it is the "path of least resistance" from open trail to woods. Again, didn't "have a cow, man." I did remove the mark. It was a curiosity question. And most people (like Starbrand, GPS-Hermit, brodiebunch, Briansnat, etc.) answered my question without telling me how I should or shouldn't feel about it.

Is that the flour thing? I have seen that many times and always wondered what that was. I have not seen flour markings in this park at all. It is a little used park. Not too many know of its existence, which is one reason I placed my caches there. It's a nice hiking trail and I'd like to see more enjoy it. As for the branch, I don't think the park managers placed it there as it is an area they use to dump grass clippings, leaves and such--a little access way of just about 20-30 feet that stops in the dumping area. Beyond is all wild woods. And a cache. :-) At any rate...thanks for the replies. I guess the marking is peculiar to certain individuals and not all that common.

I KNEW somebody would say it. You can't ask a question here without somebody challenging why you asked it. Call me weird but I always thought one of the purposes of discussion forums is to answer questions when people have them. Being a moderator on a discussion board myself for almost 8 years, I usually only answer a question if I think I can contribute something positive in line with the question being asked. Not to put someone down for asking. If only you'd just left your reply at the possibility it was not cache related... I saw the mark, there were no other marks along the trail. It didn't mark a turn, a fork or anything. Its one long straight wide trail. It was directly opposite my cache which, while well hidden, is within eyesite of the path. You can say it might have been a random trail mark of some type but I have no doubt it was marking my cache. Is it a BIG deal? Like...world hunger...or the economy...or Aretha's hat? No. But I consider it cheating to mark caches for others and, as cache owner, I have to right to like or dislike that on MY caches. And I don't like it. Nowhere in the geocaching guidelines have I seen "feel free to mark cache locations so other cachers can find them more easily." I was simply wondering if this had been seen before by other cache owners and if it was common or unusual since I had never seen it or heard anyone mention it. Thank you for the replies that were just answering my question and not tossing a little judgement into the pot.

Interesting. But...WHAT would be the point in marking a cache? Is some one THINKING they are being kind to the next cacher? I don't get it and I hope I don't see it again.

I was wondering if this practice is something others have seen before. I haven't ever seen this mentioned here or by any cacher before. I few weeks ago I went to check on the caches I own in a park. One of the caches is located off a nice, wide trail in a park seldom visited by people. When I got to where you break off the trail to head to the cache, I noticed a symbol drawn on the ground probably with a stick. It was directly opposite from where my cache is located. I can't remember the exact symbol, but say it was a circle with an X in it. In other words, a clearly deliberate marking--not an accidental hiking pole mark or something like that. There were no other marks along the trail. Just the one in front of where my cache was located. It was obvious someone had marked the cache location. I was P.O.'ed. So, I very carefully rubbed out the mark and made sure there was no indication any kind of mark had ever been on the trail. At another cache location in this same park, I found a large branch laying perpendicular across the area I suggested for entering the woods off the path. Ok...I could maaaaaybe believe the branch was natural. But...seemed a little coincidental that of all the places along the lengthy trail, a branch fell off RIGHT smack across the "entrance" to the woods and cache. I dragged the branch off the trail and into a ditch. I didn't have time to check on my other caches so I don't know if anything else was "marked." So my questions are: Is marking trails to indicate where to look for a cache a "known thing" to do? Is a thing to do that is common and I've just never known of it? And most of all...WHY would someone do that? To help out a fellow cacher who maybe doesn't have time to hunt for him/herself but just hunts marked areas? Something someone would to help a friend out? Make it quicker or easier? The first one in particular really peeved me. I don't think marking trails to help other cacher's find the right spot faster is fair. If someone hunts for my caches I'd like it to a fair hunt. Maaayyybe to help out a kid that is just learning or help handicapped person. Is this a known practice in the caching world that I have heard of yet? Happened to anyone else?

Isn't that the fun part? My favorite caches are in the woods. Nothing I love better than thrashing around through the woods and seeing all kinds of amazing things and taking photographs of the things I see. However...those kinds of caches aren't for everyone. I have five caches down in a wooded park and I note in the description they are woodland hikes and mention some of the pitfalls (literally) so no one is surprised. Perhaps you'd like urban caches? A camo'ed micro in the woods isn't a great one to start off with. So don't be discouraged. Your disappointment on this cache will make your first find all the sweeter! The first time I went caching I didn't even know how to use my GPSr and I didn't grasp the fact that I was hunting for a micro with numerous DNFs. I was wandering all over a ball field nowhere close to the cache. I tried a second time (still not really knowing what I was doing) and couldn't find it. Finally the third time I went I was using my GPSr correctly and found the cache. It was a VERY cleverly hidden micro and remains today one of my favorite caches. I will never forget the lightbulb moment when I spied something and thought..."Hmmmmmmmm." Man, that success was sweet! Don't give up on geocaching from this one experience. Choose another cache that with an easier rating...maybe in a city setting.

I like putting in a little gift for the FTFer in my caches. I do that because I like to give things, not because I want to make a big deal about the FTF. Usually its been a $5-$10 gift card of some sort. But my favorite prize I gave was a mini ammo can. That was so cute. I can echo similar sentiments to Clan Riffster. My caching time is limited so the "blank log" honor will likely remain elusive for me. (I have one FTF and one shared FTF that were pure accidents.) So in honor of those who can't make an immediate dash to be FTF, I have several times added a 15th-to-Find gift. Just a little fun thing for those coming behind the FTFer. :-) So for me, to offer a FTF prize isn't an obligation, its fun for ME.

I like putting in a little gift for the FTFer in my caches. I do that because I like to give things, not because I want to make a big deal about the FTF. Usually its been a $5-$10 gift card of some sort. But my favorite prize I gave was a mini ammo can. That was so cute. I can echo similar sentiments to Clan Riffster. My caching time is limited so the "blank log" honor will likely remain elusive for me. (I have one FTF and one shared FTF that were pure accidents.) So in honor of those who can't make an immediate dash to be FTF, I have several times added a 15th-to-Find gift. Just a little fun thing for those coming behind the FTFer. :-) So for me, to offer a FTF prize isn't an obligation, its fun for ME.

Since a TB can be dropped in any cache they will fit in, I don't see the need to have a search for TB Hotels. TB Hotels are ok but personally I don't care for restrictions. TBs are meant to travel so, let 'em. Why have a one-for-one rule which might limit what bugs can be moved?

H O L Y C O W. That is truly incredible. And works a 40 hr week! Geez...I've been caching for over a year and I'm only at 79. ( Don't have a lot of spare time.) My sincere congratulations on an amazing accomplishment. And for writing nice logs. GO BOB GO!

How funny to find this topic. Just a few minutes ago I found the Geocaching group at Facebook and joined. I THOUGHT I was 11,084th to sign up.

You are going to Alaska so you can hone your foreign policy experience by standing and looking over at Russia. Not my real guess! You are going to Alaska to do some mountain climbing.

Time is stopping me. It would be easier to just bite the bullet and order a window-cling and sell/give the magnet TB away than to jump through hoops trying make this work for me. I don't have a lot of free time to run around getting a decal made.. I barely have time to go out caching a little bit. But thanks for the suggestion. I appreciate that. Oddly enough, a friend of mine just gave me a little "I love fox terriers" bone magnet so I now realize I can't put that on the back of my car either! Owned my car for 10 years and didn't know the back end isn't metal.

I just received my magnetic TB the other day. I was so excited. I activated it right away. I've been really busy so just tonite I finally remembered to slap it on my car. I go to the back of my car and stick it on...it falls off onto the pavement. So...I pick it up and hold it against the liftgate. Plop. Falls to the pavement again. I'm not really comprehending. I keep trying to get it to stick. I look all over it to see if there is a peel off thing or something. Nope. Finally I go to the side of my car and...voila! It sticks! It's beginning to dawn on me...the back end of my car is NOT METAL! All these years and I never knew that. It looks the same as the rest of my car...feels the same. But I am assuming it is made of some kind of composite material. I am so disappointed. I don't think it will get much notice on the side of my car. Little pile of money down the drain. I would have preferred a window cling but I didn't see those until after I already bought and received my magnet. I never thought to check to see if a magnet would stick to my car! I would sell or give it away but I activated it. It would have at least made for a really good FTF prize or swag. I guess I will look for someone around here who will adopt it. Flame-retardant: I'm not criticizing the magnet TBs. I'm just lamenting about not being able to use it the way I was expecting to.

Hmmm...I think I've just decided not to donate my body to The Body Farm. I think now maybe I'll have a cache crypt. That would be so much more fun! (Well, for someone other than me.)

Don't assume you know where it is. If you think "It MUST be here"...it's probably not. Don't assume it can't be there...just because you know that would be a reaaaally bad place to put a cache.

They've done my area...and its a little strange to be able to "drive" down my side street and see my house, my fence, gate, flowers in flower pots, deck... Unfortunately my dog wasn't in there. However, someone noticed a strange little thing that looked like a Star Wars stormtrooper in my shrubbery and that produced a lot of funny comments.