canobeans

17mths is a great age - especially if they will be content in the stroller. They love to play with the swag. I have a 19mth old and have a cache list just for her. It is mainly cemetery and neighborhood park caches (lots of walking or strolling, reasonable terrain, only getting her out of the car once to do a couple caches, etc.) One of my favorites so far was a cemetery multi that we did together. I second the jogging stroller as they are great on trails. I’d recommend lots of snacks, something else to do after caching, and heading out with low expectations - don't be disappointed if you only get to do a couple caches.... once they spot the playground - the caching is all over... canobeans

When I ask my better half to attend an event, I always get asked where are the "spouses of geo-cachers" group meeting? I wish someone would start this group so I could have more time to cache... Seriously, I can usually be persuasive if it involves a good hike or if we stop for ice cream on the way home. Stick with it. You'll meet someone or you'll introduce geocaching to someone and they'll dig it. Canobeans p.s. If you introduce it to anyone, just be sure to stand back and let them find a couple on their own and pretend you didn't spot it. It's just a nice thing to do...

Okay, aren’t numbers like elevator musak? If you want to listen it’s there – but you can totally block it out when you’ve got something more interesting to think about... Seriously, I think numbers play a role besides being a controversy. I wanted to find at least 100 before placing my first cache - seemed appropriate to see a small sample of what was out there before attempting to place one. If a see a new listing by a newbie - I might move that cache up on my list (just in case it wasn’t placed very well) and I’ll try and log the find in case it gets muggled. A DNF log from a cacher with 3 finds verse a cacher with 3000 is different. After I check out the cache, I’ll send the 3 finds an email of encouragement. I might chuckle before sending the 3000 the same email. I’ll ignore a DNF from low number cachers when searching for a cache, a high number cacher’s DNF? I’ll go try and find that sucker with a touch more adrenaline. I think benchmarks are just reasons to go after those “5/5 puzzle-multi-hybrid-letterbox-micro-located 2 states away” caches. To me, my 100th and 200th benchmarks just gave me a reason to do a little dance at the cache site. "Play it the way you want to play it." Was some of the best advice given to me. Canobeans

I always liked Inspector Gadget. This shopping list is getting interesting. RK – that’s exactly what I was thinking - scary, huh. I’m sure I’ll give my neighbors the gift of hysterics when they see me practicing the “Shepherd’s Hook Maneuver” in the yard. Thanks for all the responses. Keep ‘em coming! Canobeans

I know all caches are not for all cachers, but I try not to walk away from a cache that is out of reach ---- it seems that is usually when the fun starts. I’m 5’1” and I have passed up less then a handful for this reason. I'm new and still rapidly adding to my collection of hidden camera type stunt stories that include walking sticks, car roofs/bumpers, umbrellas, step stools, and all the ordinary stuff like shimming up poles/trees, etc. If a cache really gets under my skin and I can’t shake it or walk away from it, my last resort is to recruit The Shadow (who is 6’7”) and sweet talk him into retrieving it. I’m curious. What methods, tools (anyone ever used one of those robot looking pinching things? Does anyone carry a shepherd’s hook in their car? or am I crazy to think about it?), ideas, or stories are out there? One last question – Has anyone used a motion detection camera at a cache site? It seems awfully tempting…. Canobeans

This is a plethora of information: www.purplehell.com This is the navy's field guide: http://www.umich.edu/~umich/fm-34-40-2/