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Check them out again. They have a picture contest going on and, by the looks of it, they are planning a year end get together with prizes (provided of course you find all six of their caches). Maybe if we get on the really, really good side of the Cleveland Metroparks, they can talk to the Cuyahoga Valley Recreation Area to open up to caching. But all of that is just wishful thinking. ------------------ Never hold a cat and a Dustbuster at the same time. [This message has been edited by OblongFred (edited 08 February 2002).]

Check them out again. They have a picture contest going on and, by the looks of it, they are planning a year end get together with prizes (provided of course you find all six of their caches). Maybe if we get on the really, really good side of the Cleveland Metroparks, they can talk to the Cuyahoga Valley Recreation Area to open up to caching. But all of that is just wishful thinking. ------------------ Never hold a cat and a Dustbuster at the same time. [This message has been edited by OblongFred (edited 08 February 2002).]

quote:Originally posted by chaosmanor:Well, I can certainly see both sides to this discussion. The point of "trading fair" is valid, as is the original one. A cache that has mostly kids stuff in it *should* be marked as such. If nothing else, it means that finders should have kids things along to put in the cache, even if they don't have kids along with them. Our youngest is in college, but we have grandkids, so any kiddy trinkets will find a home. For us, the idea of geocaching is to find the cache, and see whatever is to be seen there. BUT, we do put a little time and thought into what we might want to leave in a cache once we find it, and if what is in the cache isn't of much value to us, we are a little disappointed. So we try to make up for it by giving better than we got. In fact, we kinda get a kick out of looking for cache goodies on our trips, especially things that are obviously from someplace not near the cache. Putting a redwood bookmark in a cache in the Mojave desert has a peculiar appeal! The best cache adventure I ever had was to a cache that really had very little in it, but that didn't reduce the joy of finding it at all. The cache had a code to be solved, and a guardian to be passed, and a moderately difficult hike (at least for this overweight guy), and the finding of it still brings a thrill. I worked hard for it, and I was the first to find it. I have no idea, anymore, what I took out or left (except for a "Where's George?" dollar, which I put in every cache I find), but I can still remember how jazzed I was to find it, after a couple of hours of searching hither and yon. Still, I have to agree that a cache that is aimed at children should be posted as such, if only in fairness to the kids. Any cache which is easily accessible to them should be highlighted! Show 'em there are other things to do besides play gameboy BTW: sure, you can put a few of your radios Out West; talk radio takes up a huge piece of the AM bands out here. [This message has been edited by chaosmanor (edited 08 February 2002).] Your answer makes the most sense of all, at least to me it does. No matter what the cache includes--lets leave it better than we found it. Clarencio

quote:Originally posted by chaosmanor:Well, I can certainly see both sides to this discussion. The point of "trading fair" is valid, as is the original one. A cache that has mostly kids stuff in it *should* be marked as such. If nothing else, it means that finders should have kids things along to put in the cache, even if they don't have kids along with them. Our youngest is in college, but we have grandkids, so any kiddy trinkets will find a home. For us, the idea of geocaching is to find the cache, and see whatever is to be seen there. BUT, we do put a little time and thought into what we might want to leave in a cache once we find it, and if what is in the cache isn't of much value to us, we are a little disappointed. So we try to make up for it by giving better than we got. In fact, we kinda get a kick out of looking for cache goodies on our trips, especially things that are obviously from someplace not near the cache. Putting a redwood bookmark in a cache in the Mojave desert has a peculiar appeal! The best cache adventure I ever had was to a cache that really had very little in it, but that didn't reduce the joy of finding it at all. The cache had a code to be solved, and a guardian to be passed, and a moderately difficult hike (at least for this overweight guy), and the finding of it still brings a thrill. I worked hard for it, and I was the first to find it. I have no idea, anymore, what I took out or left (except for a "Where's George?" dollar, which I put in every cache I find), but I can still remember how jazzed I was to find it, after a couple of hours of searching hither and yon. Still, I have to agree that a cache that is aimed at children should be posted as such, if only in fairness to the kids. Any cache which is easily accessible to them should be highlighted! Show 'em there are other things to do besides play gameboy BTW: sure, you can put a few of your radios Out West; talk radio takes up a huge piece of the AM bands out here. [This message has been edited by chaosmanor (edited 08 February 2002).] Your answer makes the most sense of all, at least to me it does. No matter what the cache includes--lets leave it better than we found it. Clarencio

in it *should* be marked as such. If nothing else, it means that finders should have kids things along to put in the cache, even if they don't have kids along with them. Our youngest is in college, but we have grandkids, so any kiddy trinkets will find a home. For us, the idea of geocaching is to find the cache, and see whatever is to be seen there. BUT, we do put a little time and thought into what we might want to leave in a cache once we find it, and if what is in the cache isn't of much value to us, we are a little disappointed. So we try to make up for it by giving better than we got. In fact, we kinda get a kick out of looking for cache goodies on our trips, especially things that are obviously from someplace not near the cache. Putting a redwood bookmark in a cache in the Mojave desert has a peculiar appeal! The best cache adventure I ever had was to a cache that really had very little in it, but that didn't reduce the joy of finding it at all. The cache had a code to be solved, and a guardian to be passed, and a moderately difficult hike (at least for this overweight guy), and the finding of it still brings a thrill. I worked hard for it, and I was the first to find it. I have no idea, anymore, what I took out or left (except for a "Where's George?" dollar, which I put in every cache I find), but I can still remember how jazzed I was to find it, after a couple of hours of searching hither and yon. Still, I have to agree that a cache that is aimed at children should be posted as such, if only in fairness to the kids. Any cache which is easily accessible to them should be highlighted! Show 'em there are other things to do besides play gameboy BTW: sure, you can put a few of your radios Out West; talk radio takes up a huge piece of the AM bands out here. [This message has been edited by chaosmanor (edited 08 February 2002).]

Well, I can certainly see both sides to this discussion. The point of "trading fair" is valid, as is the original one. A cache that has mostly kids stuff in it *should* be marked as such. If nothing else, it means that finders should have kids things along to put in the cache, even if they don't have kids along with them. Our youngest is in college, but we have grandkids, so any kiddy trinkets will find a home. For us, the idea of geocaching is to find the cache, and see whatever is to be seen there. BUT, we do put a little time and thought into what we might want to leave in a cache once we find it, and if what is in the cache isn't of much value to us, we are a little disappointed. So we try to make up for it by giving better than we got. In fact, we kinda get a kick out of looking for cache goodies on our trips, especially things that are obviously from someplace not near the cache. Putting a redwood bookmark in a cache in the Mojave desert has a peculiar appeal! The best cache adventure I ever had was to a cache that really had very little in it, but that didn't reduce the joy of finding it at all. The cache had a code to be solved, and a guardian to be passed, and a moderately difficult hike (at least for this overweight guy), and the finding of it still brings a thrill. I worked hard for it, and I was the first to find it. I have no idea, anymore, what I took out or left (except for a "Where's George?" dollar, which I put in every cache I find), but I can still remember how jazzed I was to find it, after a couple of hours of searching hither and yon. Still, I have to agree that a cache that is aimed at children should be posted as such, if only in fairness to the kids. Any cache which is easily accessible to them should be highlighted! Show 'em there are other things to do besides play gameboy BTW: sure, you can put a few of your radios Out West; talk radio takes up a huge piece of the AM bands out here. [This message has been edited by chaosmanor (edited 08 February 2002).]

in it *should* be marked as such. If nothing else, it means that finders should have kids things along to put in the cache, even if they don't have kids along with them. Our youngest is in college, but we have grandkids, so any kiddy trinkets will find a home. For us, the idea of geocaching is to find the cache, and see whatever is to be seen there. BUT, we do put a little time and thought into what we might want to leave in a cache once we find it, and if what is in the cache isn't of much value to us, we are a little disappointed. So we try to make up for it by giving better than we got. In fact, we kinda get a kick out of looking for cache goodies on our trips, especially things that are obviously from someplace not near the cache. Putting a redwood bookmark in a cache in the Mojave desert has a peculiar appeal! The best cache adventure I ever had was to a cache that really had very little in it, but that didn't reduce the joy of finding it at all. The cache had a code to be solved, and a guardian to be passed, and a moderately difficult hike (at least for this overweight guy), and the finding of it still brings a thrill. I worked hard for it, and I was the first to find it. I have no idea, anymore, what I took out or left (except for a "Where's George?" dollar, which I put in every cache I find), but I can still remember how jazzed I was to find it, after a couple of hours of searching hither and yon. Still, I have to agree that a cache that is aimed at children should be posted as such, if only in fairness to the kids. Any cache which is easily accessible to them should be highlighted! Show 'em there are other things to do besides play gameboy BTW: sure, you can put a few of your radios Out West; talk radio takes up a huge piece of the AM bands out here. [This message has been edited by chaosmanor (edited 08 February 2002).]

Well, I can certainly see both sides to this discussion. The point of "trading fair" is valid, as is the original one. A cache that has mostly kids stuff in it *should* be marked as such. If nothing else, it means that finders should have kids things along to put in the cache, even if they don't have kids along with them. Our youngest is in college, but we have grandkids, so any kiddy trinkets will find a home. For us, the idea of geocaching is to find the cache, and see whatever is to be seen there. BUT, we do put a little time and thought into what we might want to leave in a cache once we find it, and if what is in the cache isn't of much value to us, we are a little disappointed. So we try to make up for it by giving better than we got. In fact, we kinda get a kick out of looking for cache goodies on our trips, especially things that are obviously from someplace not near the cache. Putting a redwood bookmark in a cache in the Mojave desert has a peculiar appeal! The best cache adventure I ever had was to a cache that really had very little in it, but that didn't reduce the joy of finding it at all. The cache had a code to be solved, and a guardian to be passed, and a moderately difficult hike (at least for this overweight guy), and the finding of it still brings a thrill. I worked hard for it, and I was the first to find it. I have no idea, anymore, what I took out or left (except for a "Where's George?" dollar, which I put in every cache I find), but I can still remember how jazzed I was to find it, after a couple of hours of searching hither and yon. Still, I have to agree that a cache that is aimed at children should be posted as such, if only in fairness to the kids. Any cache which is easily accessible to them should be highlighted! Show 'em there are other things to do besides play gameboy BTW: sure, you can put a few of your radios Out West; talk radio takes up a huge piece of the AM bands out here. [This message has been edited by chaosmanor (edited 08 February 2002).]

Thank you, mikemtn I don't know what UBB is I don't know what HTML is, (although I have heard of it) I thought the search button at the top of the page searched the thread you were looking at, not all the threads on geocaching.com. The first time I was ever in a chat room in my life (and I'm 40) was in ClayJar's geocache room. I was completely embarrassed because I didn't know how to actually talk in the room. I missed the little white bar for typing text at the bottom. People who love me are proud of me for trying new things and for being willing to learn by asking questions even if the answers are obvious to everyone around me. And yes, I do give them a chuckle on a regular basis. Maybe that's why they keep me around. Most of the folks on this thread so far are names I recognize from reading the forums for the past two months. So are people who only know how to walk around outside and look for stuff not have the computer savvy to be part of this sport?

quote:Originally posted by VentureForth:It's been a while since there's been talk about the Rhino, so if you don't remember, click HERE. Wouldn't that be just awesome for paintball??? It would add a whole new twist to hide & seek games also.

quote:Originally posted by Buck8Point: HEHEHEH It does kinda blend in dont it? Yea if that old couch could talk, it would have alot to say.. It has seen some shenanigans...heheheheh I wish I could find an Old Cheezy Couch Contest to enter it into. it would win hands down. Looks to me like that coffee table was made by igloo.....Buck, do you decorate professionally?

Hi Martin Clan! I assume that the cache you are having trouble with is da Vinci's Cable? I haven't received mail from you, but I teamed up with Jeremy to hide that cache and it is actually assigned to his account, so mail through the web site to the cache owner will go to him rather than to me (if that's the method you used). For what it's worth, da Vinci's Cable is in an area of very dense forest, and poor satellite signal is unfortunately the norm there. You are not alone. If you read through the logs, you'll see that most talk about the lack of signal reception. That's why we chose to include thorough hints and spoiler photos in the cache listing. I hope that you haven't reached the level of complete frustration, and will hang in there to complete the cache hunt! One point that I wanted to bring up is to keep in mind that Garmin uses two types of antennae in its GPS units, so comparing Garmin as a whole to Magellan in terms of reception is not valid. The two antennae types used are the patch style used in the eTrex, et al., and the helix type used in the GPS V, et al. These two different antennae types have different strengths and weaknesses, but overall each is very good. The problem that you are experiencing might be related to the fact that, compared to other GPS units, the Venture has a pretty small patch antenna. The rest of them have either helix antennae or larger patch antennae. In my understanding, the patch gets very good reception in one direction (in the case of the Venture when held flat, straight up), while the helix gets good reception in multiple directions from the horizon on up. As you might imagine, the smaller the patch antenna, the less signal it can pull in, so the Venture could be at a disadvantage in this case because of its size compared to the other units with larger patches (e.g. the GPS 12x). However, in some instances, it will perform better than the helix units in areas where the horizon is blocked (for example, a deep ravine). This is because it does a good job focusing on the signals above and "ignoring" the signals coming from the side. Meanwhile, the units with helix antennae (e.g. the GPS V) will try to pick up signal coming in from the side. Those side signals are more prone to multipathing (i.e. reflection) when they bounce through the trees (or buildings, or ravine walls, etc.), so accuracy may be worse than when using a patch in such instances. Regardless, my own experience has shown me that the helix is superior (although I still would like to see a scientific analysis of the ability of various antenna types to pull in signal in a variety of conditions). On my first geocaching outing with my new GPS V, I was with Jeremy who had an eTrex Venture. There was no comparison on the trip we made as to which unit was doing a better job of pulling in signal. In fact, the difference was so pronounced that Jeremy purchased a GPS V the next week! Another thing to keep in mind is that at various times of the day, a given spot may have terrible satellite geometry overhead, and you cannot pull in a signal. A couple of days later, you might be at the same spot at the same time and have great geometry overhead, and a completely different experience at that spot. My suggestion to you is to not give up, and to try again at a different time. Let me know how it goes, and don't hesitate to email me if you have any questions or there is anything else with which I can help. ------------------ Jon (Moun10Bike) N 47° 36.649', W 122° 3.616' www.switchbacks.com/geocaching.html

Ok. Time for my 2 cents on the ignore button issue. First, I can see multiple uses for such a filter. Filtering out sub-par caches seems to be getting a lot of talk here, and I would consider using an ignore button to filter them out if there were caches of low quality in my area. However, since that is not currently a problem for my area, I would use it in a different manner. I would ignore caches I can?t reach because I don?t have a boat or that are close by but require a long drive or expensive ferry ride. Secondly, since a majority of cachers don?t read these forums, I would bet that if an ignore feature were implemented on the site it would not provide an accurate assessment of the cache quality. For example, Alvin and Beth, a retired couple, decide that they are not going to attempt to find the local cache that requires a scramble down a cliff and climb up a safe but daunting ladder, so they chose to ignore the cache since it exceeds there abilities. By posting a ?x ignoring this cache? on this cache page would be more a reflection on the abilities or taste of some of the local cachers as apposed to the quality of the cache. I hate to see the spread of trash caches, and think that they do pose a threat to the long-term acceptability of geocaching, but an ignore button won?t solve that problem

Folks, I'm new to the Geocaching and can't figure out how to get EasyGPS software to work with the Garmin Venture unit. I'm on the right Comm port (1), the port checks out, but it cannot talk to the Garmin unit. What is not being set right? Also, what does it take to download the waypoints from the Geocach website? I check the ones I want to download, tell it to download, it takes me to a dialog box for downloading EasyGPS. Then I click on the last item, to download the waypoints, and I get another log in screen. What gives..help!!!

quote:Originally posted by WM5L:What happend to the Beer talk back at the first? I am confused now after reading all these posts all I want to know when and where the traveling mug is going to start so I can break it in!!! Lets get this going. Jim/WM5L We had a major winter storm through OK last week and I was offline. I;m in CA this week at a conference and I think I'll plant it here. The first mug will be at the Tied House in San Jose this evening. -E ------------------ N35°32.981 W98°34.631

quote:Originally posted by Alan2: Hey Buck, Nice camo on your couch. Nearly missed it!! HEHEHEH It does kinda blend in dont it? Yea if that old couch could talk, it would have alot to say.. It has seen some shenanigans...heheheheh I wish I could find an Old Cheezy Couch Contest to enter it into. it would win hands down. ------------------ Buck8Point "If I can't fix it, It's definately Broke."

quote:Originally posted by philgolden:I just noticed that there are no caches in Louisiana. BUMMER! That is about to change. My question is how can I attract folks in to Louisiana for some treasure hunting? ... Thanks in advance!!! Hi, I am waiting to get my GPS and get started here in Portland, ORegon. I never heard of this sport until Saturday. I was watching the news and we have special part where each week a guy tells us places to go outdoors and he went with a family who does geocaching and that is how I heard of it. It sounded great and I have been checking it out and I am excited about it. Maybe you can get ahold of someone at the local tv station and have them talk about it somehow. Just a thought, it worked to get me interested. Good Luck Mamasmaug

Oh, I just saw the pictures of Crikett from Austin at a cache somewhere in the US. Crikett, who ever you are, get in touch! We simply must go out caching together. That'll give them something to talk about! Keep it up! Anders

Come on guys! There have been no posts to this thread since Dec 8! Surely (Don't call me Shirley...) we have something to talk about with this spring weather we've been having! (Oh no, not another "How's the weather discussion"). But seriously... Anyone out there doing anything interesting? I'm working on a Huge cache right now, trying to find someplace to hide it. Might make it a two parter. Find the first cache (mini) clues to the second one, etc. I would also like to put together a meet & great over this winter. Hope I get some interest!

Yes, I've seen the same thing with my Meridian and my MAP 410. Any software that uses NMEA mode seems to act this way. One workaround I found was to put the unit into demo or simulate mode (it's in the setup menu towards/at the end of the list, I think) This generates a fake set of NMEA data, which is enough to test the inte rface, etc. I still haven't had any luck getting Topo USA 3.0 to talk to the Meridian, but I haven't really been trying that hard. I use that program mainly for printing maps and less for working with the GPS, now that I've gotten addicted to ExpertGPS. quote:Originally posted by Huaso:One of the things I noticed is that the Meridian doesn't appear to communicate with the PC if it can't achieve sat-lock. I have observed this with both TopoUSA and USAPhotoMaps.

Yes, I've seen the same thing with my Meridian and my MAP 410. Any software that uses NMEA mode seems to act this way. One workaround I found was to put the unit into demo or simulate mode (it's in the setup menu towards/at the end of the list, I think) This generates a fake set of NMEA data, which is enough to test the inte rface, etc. I still haven't had any luck getting Topo USA 3.0 to talk to the Meridian, but I haven't really been trying that hard. I use that program mainly for printing maps and less for working with the GPS, now that I've gotten addicted to ExpertGPS. quote:Originally posted by Huaso:One of the things I noticed is that the Meridian doesn't appear to communicate with the PC if it can't achieve sat-lock. I have observed this with both TopoUSA and USAPhotoMaps.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... for me the best thing to find is something hand-made, home-made, or otherwise unique! Dollar Store Stuff is fine (and I've left/taken my fair share of those), but anything that a fellow cacher has put their own time and effort into creating wins hands down for me. (notice, I didn't mention monetary investment?) In my area we have Fergus' now famous handmade chainmail balls and bags, another local cacher has chosen to make home-made quilted pot holders as her signature item (have yet to get one of those)... I've heard of another cacher who makes golden railroad spikes to leave in caches. There's also Moun10Bike's custom-made geo-coins. Another cacher has custom-made ferret pins and yet another cacher has come up with 'cache cards' to commemorate your find. I tried the idea of 'personal cacher trading cards' myself (but that hasn't seemed to go over very well), and others have come up with personalized pens, keychains, and even yo-yos. And let's not forget the cache-u-nuts theme either! I'm sure there are many more examples I've missed, but my point is that I would much rather find something personal, home-made, hand-made, or at least very unique, instead of just another dollar store item or used golf ball. I know... I have lot's of room to talk here 'cause I have yet to come up with a unique idea of my own, but believe me, I'm working on it and have been racking my brain for that PERFECT thing, sooner or later I'll come up with something. I once had the idea of opening an online store to sell all sorts of unique, interesting, or personalized items just for fellow geocachers, but quickly realized just how much fun that would take OUT of the game. It's much beter having each participant find/choose/make something unique and/or personalized from the wide world of available 'trinkets' that are, or may be, unique to a particular area, or something hand/home-made. Just my two cents, but if you want to attract my attention start leaving something that you didn't just go out and buy off the shelf. Oh BTW, sorry to ignore your initial question... the 'Best find' for me was Fergus' chainmail ball. He made one, I found one, I met him at an event cache and he promised me that if I found three of them he would make me a pouch to carry them in. I now have threee of his chainmail balls AND a custom made pouch to carry them in and I'm hoping that at the next picnic he'll teach me how to juggle. To me, that's what it's all about. Ps. I recently retrieved a 'Brunton Classic' compass from a cache too... little did I know that I would meet up with my benefactor later that same day. Appearantly he didn't need it anymore, but for me it was a great find, so practical items like that are also cool to find in a cache! I would like to add that it does distress me somewhat to find that cache quality seems to go DOWN with more finds... I would like to believe that cache quality should actually go UP with more finds but that doesn't seem to be the case. Oh well. Tedoca

quote:Originally posted by Hawk-eye:OFF SEASON!!! What kind of talk is that ... there is no off season ... TURN IN YOUR DOUBLE A'S and GO WATCH THE SHOPPING CHANNEL till you come to your senses! I have to agree there is no off season. All you need are some good boots (or in 3feet of snow snowshoes) and your ready to go. Many caches are in stumps or hollow trees so you can still get to them. You could always hike your area and come up with a good plan for putting out a cache (I do mean a good plan, not just throw it out there) and then put it out once it's a bit nicer. Or heck, hang it from a tree and do it now. ------------------ "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

quote:Originally posted by Hawk-eye:OFF SEASON!!! What kind of talk is that ... there is no off season ... TURN IN YOUR DOUBLE A'S and GO WATCH THE SHOPPING CHANNEL till you come to your senses! I have to agree there is no off season. All you need are some good boots (or in 3feet of snow snowshoes) and your ready to go. Many caches are in stumps or hollow trees so you can still get to them. You could always hike your area and come up with a good plan for putting out a cache (I do mean a good plan, not just throw it out there) and then put it out once it's a bit nicer. Or heck, hang it from a tree and do it now. ------------------ "...Not all those who wander are lost..."

What happend to the Beer talk back at the first? I am confused now after reading all these posts all I want to know when and where the traveling mug is going to start so I can break it in!!! Lets get this going. Jim/WM5L