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r finding the few available to them. Demand exceeds supply. It's happened in my area because there are only 11 caches total, and they were all planted in the last three weeks (talk about growing!). As more caches appear, the activity will spread out, especially for the new people coming along. Of course, those of us who started earlier will all convene on the next new cache. Oh well, c'est la cache. As usual, the "early adopters" pay a premium for being pioneers. Remember to be polite. Don't trip the first guy to pass you on the trail holding a GPS. After all, he might NOT be a cacher. You don't want to harm civilians - bad PR. Just ask the Navy. Anton ------------------ Anton Ninno - N2RUD Syracuse, NY 13210 [This message has been edited by Anton (edited 01 May 2001).]

Paul, I'll let you talk to the fine lady from the K.C. Star!!! Liz, Thank you for your interest! Ryan, To answer your question about letterboxing: (just now read your message). Hard to explain but here goes...In the 1800's a man left his business card in a bottle in England..years later someone else found it...This turned into a phenomenon where people will hand-make these intricate rubber stamps and hide them--only giving compass directions/vague coordinates (100 paces North from a tree...) and once found you use your personally hand-made rubber stamp to stamp their log and you use theirs (in the cache) to stamp your log...There are actually a few in K.C. Sometimes letterboxing sites and geocaching are combined. Often there is a riddle attached to find the site. The last one I did was in St. Louis called: Scarab! I'm trying to combine these two hunts with another one called Armchair treasuring hunting. To read more look at the "links" section in the geocaching site. Good luck

Paul, I'll let you talk to the fine lady from the K.C. Star!!! Liz, Thank you for your interest! Ryan, To answer your question about letterboxing: (just now read your message). Hard to explain but here goes...In the 1800's a man left his business card in a bottle in England..years later someone else found it...This turned into a phenomenon where people will hand-make these intricate rubber stamps and hide them--only giving compass directions/vague coordinates (100 paces North from a tree...) and once found you use your personally hand-made rubber stamp to stamp their log and you use theirs (in the cache) to stamp your log...There are actually a few in K.C. Sometimes letterboxing sites and geocaching are combined. Often there is a riddle attached to find the site. The last one I did was in St. Louis called: Scarab! I'm trying to combine these two hunts with another one called Armchair treasuring hunting. To read more look at the "links" section in the geocaching site. Good luck

Hi, I'm a reporter for the FYI section of the Kansas City Star. I've been assigned to do a story on geocaching and it's popularity in the KC area. Would anybody be willing to talk to me about the sport and maybe even take me along on a hunt? My email address is laustin@kcstar.com and my work phone number is 816-234-4362. I'd really appreciate any help anybody could give me.

The Rock and Roll cache is in North Carolina. Here's what the ranger had to say in the log after he found it: "Hello everyone! I happen to be the ranger that removed this cache. Unfortunately, no one contacted us about placing it as specified in the info about placing caches on public lands. I have to admit I see the fun in this activity as it took me two tries to find it. As Outlander indicated the area where this was, was dangerous and ecologically sensitive. There are herd paths in the area now, and I suspect some (but not all) are from people trying to located this cache. I would be willing to talk to someone about viable alternatives in the park if anyone is interested. Call the park office 704 853-5375." Many of the rangers around this part of the country are laid back and a bit like Andy of Mayberry. Unfortunately, a few are more Barney-like and one can only hope that they only have one bullet that they are required to keep in a shirt pocket. This particular ranger is more than likely an "Andy". He's offered his assistance to help find a better, less sensitive location for the cache, so even though he confiscated it, I'm for giving him the benefit of a doubt that he'd like to work with us. The whole scenario does have a way of making a case for portions of this site being available on a paid-subscription basis.

I just got my Etrex Legend last Thursday and havent put it down since. Easy to learn, in fact I hid my first cache about 3 hours ago. Talk about a cool toy ! It even aquires position in my house in about 45 seconds.

agel! talk about devotion to a sport. Make sure you bring your gps with you as that is Gimpy's and my primary goal while in syracuse...CACHE HUNTING! I figure if we start at different sides of the city we won't run into each others group to give away the locations. But I am game for just about anything. I am looking forward to meeting everyone, and to tell you the truth I have never even met a real live cacher before. Hope you guys are not a bunch of loons just released from some state hospital, at least not like the one I came from I already have my routes programmed into my software for the GPS's, laid out my favorite hiking boots and lucky tee shirt. Heck I have even painted up 3 .50cal ammo cans in case I find a great spot along the way! ------------------ Quinn Stone Rochester, NY.14616 www.Navicache.com

agel! talk about devotion to a sport. Make sure you bring your gps with you as that is Gimpy's and my primary goal while in syracuse...CACHE HUNTING! I figure if we start at different sides of the city we won't run into each others group to give away the locations. But I am game for just about anything. I am looking forward to meeting everyone, and to tell you the truth I have never even met a real live cacher before. Hope you guys are not a bunch of loons just released from some state hospital, at least not like the one I came from I already have my routes programmed into my software for the GPS's, laid out my favorite hiking boots and lucky tee shirt. Heck I have even painted up 3 .50cal ammo cans in case I find a great spot along the way! ------------------ Quinn Stone Rochester, NY.14616 www.Navicache.com

i used clear packing tape to attach a "for sale" sign to the outside of a car window once. this was the kind of tape that you can purchase from the postal service, so i guess it is what you are referring to. when it became time to remove the sign, the tape residue was very stubborn. i can't talk myself into using this stuff. everyone keep their eyes open, and keep the screen protection ideas coming. together, we will stumble onto something ideal.

Talk about difficult Caches, this weekend we were stopped dead in our tracks by the very loud and very close growl of what we assume was a Mountain Lion. Since we didn't want the dogs to end up cat food, we decided to come back without them another day. We wish we had seen it but it was in a very heavily covered area and that sound can chill your blood. YIKES!

Hey group, I've read the posts here, and there are some interesting points being made. First off, we do need to consider the environmental concerns being addressed. Having said that, I think "*Matt and Dave Sutherland" are addressing some concerns for a particular locale. Dave's points of concern are very good, but, it sounds like his area has some serious issues with overuse of the wilderness space. Seems to me that focusing on Geocaching isn't going to resolve the preexisting issue of "social trails." While I think their concerns are important, consider the threads here that talk about responsible items in caches, gaining permission before placing a cache, and etc. I think Jeremey and company are doing a good job at trying to educate folks before they go out chasing caches. Newbies like me need to help. :0 My fiance and myself have prepped three caches for the central part of our state (topic of another thread). We are working with local people to: 1) get permission to place them in state and local parks, and 2) get assistance in safe places to place them. When I mean safe, I mean non-hazardous locations that won't harm sensitive plant, animal or human life. Also good locations that highlight the beauty of the parks. (see thread on "how far off the trail") If a park or open space is that sensitive, then we should avoid it- so should everyone. I don't see anyone here talking about 4wheeling to the coordinates, or leaving their picnic trash behind after a long hunt. I do see people taking exception to being attacked by Matt. Mr. Sutherland, you sound like you'd be a good person to help out with some of the environmental concerns in Colorado. I will work with my local folks to do what I said above. Richard

Thanks, 300mag! The information in www.joe.mehaffey.com/eagle1.txt is especially helpful. I'm less skeptical about the EE's capabilities now. I'm anxious for my software and cables to arrive. I'll try it out with Street Atlas too. I'll also talk with Lowrance about the possibility of a firmware upgrade, though my current v1.9 probably has more capabilities than the v1.4 described at the URL above. Looks like I'll be happily occupied for awhile. Thanks again for the helpful info. ------------------ Best regards, Kurt in MI Track your US currency's travels too at Where's George?!

Thanks, 300mag! The information in www.joe.mehaffey.com/eagle1.txt is especially helpful. I'm less skeptical about the EE's capabilities now. I'm anxious for my software and cables to arrive. I'll try it out with Street Atlas too. I'll also talk with Lowrance about the possibility of a firmware upgrade, though my current v1.9 probably has more capabilities than the v1.4 described at the URL above. Looks like I'll be happily occupied for awhile. Thanks again for the helpful info. ------------------ Best regards, Kurt in MI Track your US currency's travels too at Where's George?!

quote:Originally posted by IronHelix:tee hee hee... just ripped open the box. Okay, I just spoke to the moderator. He fully agrees with me that no one should be able to talk about their cool new Vistas until mine arrives!

quote:Originally posted by IronHelix:tee hee hee... just ripped open the box. Okay, I just spoke to the moderator. He fully agrees with me that no one should be able to talk about their cool new Vistas until mine arrives!

I would have to agree that a forum specifically for discussion of the legal fight for use of our land is a good idea. It would give us a place to share any responses we receive, and help to determine what approaches are working well. Here's the slightly updated version of something I posted on the email list a few days ago... > Who, exactly, do we speak to with regards > to identifying/changing/clarifying the > applicable rules? Go to the top. Let it filter down from on high: http://www.house.gov/writerep/ http://www.senate.gov/contacting/index.cfm But always copy the little guys to give them a chance to straighten up before the big bosses start looking closely: http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/e-mail/ I can't find a general email address for the DOI itself, but what the heck, spring for a stamp: U.S. Department of the Interior 1849 C. Street N.W. Washington, DC 20240 > Others have reported numerous conflicting > conversations with park and public > personnel, each pointing their fingers in > other directions. Then that's something else that should be addressed in your letter. Incidentally, is there someone out there who can make up a form letter to send? That tends to encourage a lot more people to make themselves heard. I'd like to have someone who's also involved in Letterboxing write up a nice letter regarding both sports, since numbers are the primary weapon in these situations, and teaming up with the US Letterboxers will effectively increase our ranks, while working towards a mutually beneficial outcome. Jeremy; can you add the above links, any other contacts high enough in the NPS/DOI to have an effect, and the letter, if it becomes available, to the site? > Nobody seems to want to take > responsibility for quoting "The Rules", > so who _do_ we talk to for a reliable > answer? When all else fails, go over everybody's head. The people at the top will either have an answer, or will make one up and make it stick. With enough people writing in wanting to cache, and no movement against it, the answer we want will be the easiest one for them to give. ------------------ DrunkenBard http://www.drunkenbard.com

If anybody in Calgary is geocaching I would like to talk to them. I'm researching an article. Please email cokeefe@calgarypublishingltd.com. Thanks!

Grettings Folks. Just received a letter back from the KCMO parks folks regarding the Santa Fe Trail #2 geocache in Minor Park. FYI, here's the text.... March 28, 2001 Dear John, I am in receipt of your note of March 18, 2001 regarding the placement of a geocache in Minor Park. As I stated, we do not have any objection at this time to the placement of the material, but we do wish to monitor the situation and will reevaluate in a year or so. We certainly love the increased exposure the park is receiving and just want to be sure that there is no negative environmental impact. Let?s talk again later. Sincerely, Stephen F. Lampone Director of Operations Kansas City Missouri Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners

My first suggestion is to talk to a surveyor, your town/city's DPW or a college that teaches GIS. I use a demo/student version of Auto CAD Map 3, but I haven't tried to interface with my GPS. (I fear my poor old computer will have a stroke) I do know of a program called GPS-Communicator from Nautical Software. With it, different brands of GPS can actually swap information. Works with handhelds as well as top of the line fixed GPS found on boats. I got some waypoints from a Furuno, Raytheon, Northstar etc. put in my Garmin 48. It's used at the docks to keep everyone clear of other's lobster pots and long-lines etc. Proprietary software might a stumble. There are at least 12 different charting / mapping programs for marine alone , toss in AutoCAD .dwg file system, and I see sleepless nights ahead. I wish you luck, I'd like to know what happens.

I think it's a great idea. Friday's a good night to do it, too, so that people can hook up and talk about who's going where over the weekend, form groups, etc. Count me in. Scott

Talk about lame pickup lines...

I need to talk to a few Geocachers of varying levels of experience about Geocaching in the Calgary area, you know the kind of thing...who's doing it, what they like about it, how they got into it, etc. Lifestyle magazine stuff. You can email me cameo@canuck.com if you're interested in talking about it to me or you can call 240-9055 if you want to check my credentials or leave me a message. Thanks!

quote:Originally posted by puzzled:Most would agree that's it's not the arriving, it's the getting there that makes travel fulfilling. From your comments, I have to assume that you have not actually geocached before. A person does not fire up their GPS and walk straight to the cache. I have NEVER experienced this. It always boils down to plotting a point on a map and then trying to determine the best way to get to that point. quote:So what does GPS offer that supercedes maps? Again, from these comments, it doesn't appear that you ever geocached before. In no way are we using GPS in place of maps. In fact, every cache page (in the US) displays a map of the cache location. I always use a USGS 7.5 minute map of the area for reference when I hunt a cache, and I use a compass to help me zero in on the location. But even if someone does go at it without maps, what of it? quote:I blame it on Nintendo. Gratification with minimal outlay, like surfing the internet or reading trashy books. Blame WHAT on Nintendo? Getting people interested in technology AND the outdoors? This comment is quite insulting and demeaning, and rather than showing insight on your part, it shows a complete and utter lack of understanding and disregard for the interests of others. Why do you find it necessary to insult? quote:As for showing people interesting places, why not open up a book or talk to friends- you'll find it more effecient, unless of course, you ARE actually interested in the process of exploring rather than in the arrival. As a matter of fact, most of us ARE more interested in the exploring. We are telling people that point X is a neat place to go. It is up to them to determine how to get there.

s tedious and slower using fingers. A slide-rule is slower and less versatile for some calculations. So what does GPS offer that supercedes maps? It gives distance travelled more quickly &c. &c. but it doesn't give the 'big picture' like a map can. It's a different tool, not a comparable one, to be used as an adjunct rather than a means to an end. I blame it on Nintendo. Gratification with minimal outlay, like surfing the internet or reading trashy books. GPS appeals to those who can't quite leave the Nintendo at home, and have to have the low energy fix it offers. As for showing people interesting places, why not open up a book or talk to friends- you'll find it more effecient, unless of course, you ARE actually interested in the process of exploring rather than in the arrival.

I too have been thinking about creating virtual caches, in light of local park officials "studying" the potential impact of real caches. Virtual caches seem like the next step in the evolution of Geocaching. I think they would appeal more to those who have already found some real caches. There will always be appeal of real caches, especially for kids, but vitual caches appeal to me for several reasons: I don't need permission to create them, there's no talk about "littering", they're easier to create for high traffic areas such as city parks and residential areas.