brian b

BBQ is ok. Fire is for ambiance . . . warmth . . . and to ward off the skeeters! Feel free to visit Kayla and I up at site 38 if you wish.

I have two Rubbermaid tubs that are pre-prepared with the following items: Camping (kitchen) • Table cloths • Table cloth clamps • Tarp • Toaster • Pots • Plates(4) , bowls (4), cups (4), mugs (4) • String • Garbage bags • Napkins • Aluminum foil • Toilet paper • Hand soap • Coffee singles • Sugar • Creamer • Cards and dice • Dish soap • Measuring cups • Wipes • Notebook • Can opener • Silverware & Plasticware Camping (miscellaneous) • Double mantle lantern • Single mantle lantern • Battery lantern • Matches • Insect repellents • Propane cartridges • Mantles • Hammock • Ropes and clothes pins • Rolled newspapers (3) • Notebook • First Aid kit • Camp shovel Obviously, this is not a comprehensive list, but it might help. I would also suggest bringing your own firewood.

I think what Divi is trying to say is yes, the sites are RV ready (the paved area is big enough, flat enough for RVs to back into, the turns are gentle enough -- as opposed to the loop I am in where it is hard enough to turn a car on the bend), but there are no hook-ups (no water, no electricity, no sewage). Last year, there were a number of the pop-ups, but mostly tents. And I don't recall hearing any generators running . . . . . The restrooms are open all night, with "heated" water and electricity, and even flush toliets! I hope the bride will be content with that. Otherwise, leave her at home!!!!

Yeah, I know. But I've got the whole day cleared, and the morning hike doesn't seem to be all that difficult. And besides, this has been on my wish list for some time now!

In regards to the upcoming Sunrise Step-Off, I was thinking about heading over and grabbing New Jersey's Oldest Cache, gerbiL cacHe if anyone is interested in joining me. Nothing official, just a grab after the event . . . .

Mike -- yeah, the Jamboree is quite kid-friendly! Kayla went last year and she is already talking about this year's event. Since we nearly cleared the park last year(in the rain, mind you!), we may be bringing bikes for entertainment. Buttaskotch -- I have a couple of extra tents if you need one. Let me know. You are even free to join Kayla and I for dinner on Friday night (prior to the night hiking!).

I'm game. (I too wondered about the puzzle. Maybe this is something we can work out on our Morning Hike on the 24th . . . .)

Kayla and I are going again. We reserved the same site as last year -- 38. And I am currently working on an elaborate "brian b" sign to display this year. Not as cool as MSTzilla's or as hi-tech as DHenninger's, but better than the 8x11 sheet of paper I made for last year!

1) You never state where you are. The Northeast forums include 7 states as well as DC. Central Jersey? Ok . . . but a little more specific. 2) You do not mention when the FUDDS event is. 3) You are asking someone local (within 20 miles) to pick you up, organize a hike/run, and drop you off. 4) Sorry, but I live in the Hudson Valley, and cannot drive all the way to Central New Jersey.

Any one notice that only three of the five "hitman" caches were published? Any idea if the other two are going to be? If you didn't make it, you missed a great day of hiking, caching, socializing, and eating. What more could a geocacher ask for?

It is official. The February event has been approved. Hope to see you there!

Congrats to Sean and Sue. The group was nice enough to let the run on ahead so that they could find it themselves . . . add 17 more to the 500, since they also found 25 today.

I put the parking area as N 41 02.077 W 074 17.123 which appears to be just off Back Beach Road. I am now just waiting for the God of Approvers to grant this wish.

Ok . . . I'll bite. I will attempt my first event -- a group hike up and along the shores of Ramapo Lake on Sunday, February 24th, at 7:30 am. I will attempt to put in for an actual event . . . GC# to follow soon (I hope). Clear the calendars.

This thread hasn't been visited in awhile, so here is a new loop that offers some terrific views: This hike involves Schunemunk Mountain. Some of you may remember several caches up there that have since been archived, but now (in addition to some REALLY, REALLY old ones), we have a collection of new ones to be found. Start with Unfinished Jewell II (GCEF67) (which is also the parking area), and move on to My Favorite Hike (GC2B06) (which, by the way, was published in Dec 2001!). From here, continue on the Dark Hollow Trail (Black/White) to Take A Break (GC16TBR) (which you will probably need anyway). Follow the Dark Hollow further on to the new Gigantor (GC18KGP) (which might very well be the largest cache container at such an altitude as you have ever seen). Turn left (south) on the Yellow Jessup Trail to my own seldom visited Megaliths (GC12HOF). From here, the weak at heart can opt to turn back and go home, but those who really want a hike and several more awsome views (as well as anothe cache placed in November of 2001) can continue on to Above Earl (GC26CC) -- which hasn't been visited since Oct of 2005. One may finish the day with six smilies . . . and maybe more if you look locally for some easier caches nearby.

Too cold to go geocaching?!? hmmm . . . I haven't used that one yet. I will be there, looking forward to the hike (both Garrett and Rifle). (Is the organized hike for just Garrett . . . or will Rifle Park also be organized?!)

Here are just a couple of photos from our Sunday 1/6/08 hike at Apshawa . . . . Here we have Straatmaker5 and brian b on one side, while Packanack claims that he is sure that there will be a crossing "just a little further down." This is when Straatmaker5 and I started building a bridge so that the other four might actually join us on the hike up to the Overlook. Again, more of the stream crossing. This is just below Butler Reservoir, amongst all the old tanks. This crossing wasn't nearly as sticky as the first, but with practice come perfection. And this you've already seen; the morning walk. If you notice, we followed the stream a considerable way looking for a better stream crossing. Then we bushwacked/followed ATV trails until we could locate the Green trail (placed a cache) and upwards to Overlook cache. This was a fine morning. We started off with 12, ended up with 6.

If you follow our path down from the Butler Reservoir, you will see that several of us/them had to find a more appropriate crossing. Two were on one side, four were on the other (wrong) side. Then the bushwack began until we found the Green Trail, the ruins, and hid the first of two of Packanack's caches.

5:40am (yawn!) and I am walking out the door . . . .

parking is at N 41° 01.512 W 74° 22.426 (I believe -- The Beauty of Being Halfway There has these coords)

Thanks. Joranda's is the one I was looking for, but I really like The Leprechauns as well.

I created a map almost a year and a half ago which shows the states I have found caches, but I do not remember where I found the website that created this for me. I spent the better part of an hour searching the past forums for links, and googling the same. Sure, I have found the standard maps, but I was hoping to find the one website that creates maps like this: Can anyone help me?!?

As of now, I intend on being there. It will be a shame if Packanack won't make it . . . .

And the step-off time is . . . ?!? Just want to get the facts straight before I present the proposal to the bride.

Any coords for Apshawa? or at least parking coords?