Keep Lookin

Wow! This looks great! I just got everything loaded on my Nuvi...can't wait to use it. I think this has just added a new dimension to Geocaching for me.

First of all....welcome the wonderful sport of Geocaching! I hope you will enjoy it as much as many of us do. For many of us, paperless caching is the way to go, because it eliminates having to carry those crazy description sheets for each cache. When I first started caching, I printed a copy of every cache I wanted to find that day and carried them in an expandable folder. Some people use notebooks. Frankly, I hated having to carry more "stuff" so using my PDA was a wonderful option....I didn't have to fumble through all that paper to get the information I needed. Many cacher's (including myself) will tell you that paperless caching is the way to go, but as you have already discovered, it requires another piece of hardware...so if you are on a limited budget, that might not be an option. Although affordable, PDA's are not real cheap...I think they may start at around $200.00....others on this string will correct me if I'm wrong. As far as learning how to use a PDA...they are pretty straight forward and simple. Believe me, I tend to avoid those things that are considered difficult anymore...I need simplicity in my life!! You will also need to purchase specialized software....a program called CacheMate (www.smittyware.com). Cachemate comes two basic versions ...one version for PDA's the other for PPC (Personal Pocket Computers). Fortunately the software download (without the nags) is very reasonable....I think somewhere around $20.00...it's been so long ago I've forgotten. If you know of someone in your community or group who uses paperless caching...I recommend that you visit with them. Have them explain and demonstrate the process to you. It's really pretty simple. Just remember the process for downloading caches on a PPC are a little more involved compared to a PDA...so it will make a difference if you buy a PPC or PDA. Hope this helps....happy caching!

I don't think education has much to do with puzzle caches either....I am pretty well educated, have several degrees, but I'm dumb as a box of rocks when it comes to puzzle caches. Because I'm a older cacher, I can't help but wonder if I lived a shallow life...because I didn't watch a lot of cartoons, or Saturday Night Live, and get involved with the Sci-Fi generation. Frankly, I just accept the fact, that while I might be smart in some things, I'm not so smart in others... But I have to admit, that I have been amazed by genius some cacher's use when it comes to putting puzzles together...how in the world do you think of the things!!!!

Numbers Shumbers! I keep hearing the term "It's not about the numbers".... guess I live in another world. Frankly, I hate seeing this sport turning into numbers. At times it feels like people think that if you don't have at least a 1000 finds you can't talk to them. And what's up with this attitude "never record a DNF" because it somehow shows that your caching ability is substandard. The more I hear people brag about their numbers, the more I wonder where geocaching is heading. To me, it's simply a game that I play with myself...even though I enjoy caching with others. I'm enjoying the experience of learning about my community, and the state I live in, and seeing places I never knew existed...but heck what do I know...I'm not in the 1000 club.