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The Contest Is Afoot!


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The contest is ready to begin. The rules are simple. The judges are just a couple of oldfarts. The prize is winner's choice of either "1 year premium membership to Geocaching" or "we will pay Clyde for your copy of GSAK".

 

 

The rules -

 

1) The contest will run for 2 months, Nov & Dec.(Actually it will end on Jan 2nd since we will be on vacation prior to that time.). This will give you 2 months to acquire the documentation for as many different types as possible, (from the list at the bottom of this post).

 

2) You must have photographic documentation that includes the photographic image of the Geodetic Interactive Spatial Referencing Device (GISRD) and your monitoring device that shows your temporal position in the space time continuum in relation to the center of your planet. If the position can not be read on your monitoring device, the log will be voided and not count in the final tally!

 

3) Only 1 of each type of GISRD will be allowed per player. More than one player may log a specific GISRD.

 

4) Only recoveries after the start will be counted in the tally. This will start everyone on an even playing field.

 

5 We will have a thread where you can post a link to the PID# of those you have found. (Try to post your finds in groups to help make it a bit easier to keep track of your finds.) Please let us know which type of mark you are submitting. (As in PID# GQ0323 = V = stone monument, PID# GP0572 = 21 = airport beacon, PID# FS0759 = Q = chiseled square)

 

6) You may revisit previous finds and include them in your competition list of types. (Make sure your GPSr shows the date to get credit for it, though)

 

The marker type is listed just below the designation on the GC.com datasheets. Here is a link to a thread where we described how we use GSAK to find the different types in our area. Sorting marker types

Feel free to use what ever sorting method you prefer to get you the highest number of marker types.

 

You may log the GISRD on GC.com as a note if you have previously found that particular one (so we will have a link on the thread instead of a complete log.).

 

 

Any questions? :unsure:

 

 

 

#2 rules translates as "a picture showing the benchmark and your GPSr (showing the date).

 

 

Good luck & have fun,

 

John & Shirley

 

 

The list of benchmark types...

 

01 = LONE TREE

02 = CONSPICUOUS ROCK

03 = MOUNTAIN PEAK

04 = ROCK PINNACLE

05 = ROCK AWASH

11 = PILING

12 = DOLPHIN

13 = LIGHTHOUSE

14 = NAVIGATION LIGHT

15 = RANGE MARKER

16 = DAYBEACON

17 = FLAG TOWER

18 = SIGNAL MAST

21 = AIRPORT BEACON

22 = AIRWAY BEACON

25 = RADAR ANTENNA

26 = SPHERICAL RADOME

27 = RADIO RANGE MAST

28 = LORAN MAST

41 = ANTENNA MAST

42 = RADIO/TV MAST

43 = RADIO/TV TOWER

44 = MICROWAVE MAST

45 = MICROWAVE TOWER

51 = TANK

52 = STANDPIPE TANK

53 = ELEVATED TANK

54 = WATER TOWER

55 = TOWER

56 = SKELETON TOWER

57 = LOOKOUT TOWER

58 = CONTROL TOWER

61 = POLE

62 = FLAGPOLE

63 = STACK

64 = SILO

65 = GRAIN ELEVATOR

66 = WINDMILL

67 = OIL DERRICK

68 = COMMERCIAL SIGN

69 = REGULATORY SIGN

70 = MONUMENT

71 = BOUNDARY MONUMENT

72 = CAIRN

73 = LOOKOUT HOUSE

74 = LARGE CROSS

75 = BELFRY

81 = GABLE

82 = FINIAL

83 = FLAGSTAFF

84 = LIGHTNING ROD

85 = CHIMNEY

86 = CUPOLA

87 = DOME

88 = OBSERVATORY DOME

89 = SPIRE

90 = CHURCH SPIRE

91 = CHURCH CROSS

92 = ANTENNA ON ROOF

93 = MICROWAVE ANTENNA ON BUILDING

94 = ROOFTOP VENTILATOR

95 = ROOFTOP BLOCKHOUSE

A = ALUMINUM MARKER

B = BOLT

C = CAP OF CAP-AND-BOLT PAIR

DA = ASTRO MARKER (USUALLY A DISK)

DB = BENCH MARK DISK

DD = SURVEY DISK

DE = TRAVERSE STATION DISK

DG = GRAVITY STATION DISK

DH = HORIZONTAL CONTROL DISK

DJ = TIDAL STATION DISK

DK = GRAVITY REFERENCE MARK DISK

DM = MAGNETIC STATION DISK

DO = NOT SPECIFIED OR SEE DESCRIPTION

DP = BASE LINE PIER

DQ = CALIBRATION BASE LINE DISK

DR = REFERENCE MARK DISK

DS = TRIANGULATION STATION DISK

DT = TOPOGRAPHIC STATION DISK

DU = BOUNDARY MARKER

DV = VERTICAL CONTROL DISK

DW = NOS HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY DISK

DZ = AZIMUTH MARK DISK

E = EARTHENWARE POT

F = FLANGE-ENCASED ROD

G = GLASS BOTTLE

H = DRILL HOLE

I = METAL ROD

J = EARTHENWARE JUG

K = CLAY TILE PIPE

L = ABSOLUTE GRAVITY STATION PLUG

M = AMMO SHELL CASING

N = NAIL

O = CHISELED CIRCLE

P = PIPE CAP

Q = CHISELED SQUARE

R = RIVET

S = SPIKE

T = CHISELED TRIANGLE

U = CONCRETE POST

V = STONE MONUMENT

W = UNMONUMENTED

X = CHISELED CROSS

Y = DRILL HOLE IN BRICK

Z = SEE DESCRIPTION

Link to comment

[Edited to add: Er, never mind. :rolleyes: As is pointed out below, I'm looking here at "Setting", not "Marker".]

 

OK, I'm not sure I'm playing...but just curious about a few things:

 

I've found many types of "36" in my database...two are listed above but I have at least 37 types of "36". Would each of these types count as a find, or is there just one score possible for the overall category "36"?

 

Also, a number of codes aren't in your list:

7, 9, 30, 31, 32, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 40, 46, 49, 50, 59, 60, 80.

 

There are probably others, but I have examples of all of these in my database. I assume all these are available to find.

 

Lastly, is the determining factor how it is currently coded (even if that is in error?)

Edited by beejay&esskay
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beejay&esskay,

 

Are these numbers for the 'Marker Type' or the 'Setting'? If they are 'Marker Type's - where did you get the rest of these numbers? Is this a currant list from NGS? Is there a list for all to see?

 

This list is taken from the NGS site....

 

Quote...

A.12 Monumentation (Marker) Code

 

The monumentation code is a one or two character code which identifies the type of monument object or landmark which represents the control point. Monumentation codes are subdivided into five monument categories: disk monuments (D), landmark monuments (L), other monuments (O), rod monuments ®, and underground monuments (U). Some monumentation codes appear in more than one category. The monumentation codes are also divided into generalized categories (see the grayed-out headings) for your convenience. This table is represented by the MONUCAT.DAT, and the MONUMENT.DAT ASCII files.

Monumentation Category Monumentation Code Definition

Not for Landmark Stations

O, U A Aluminum marker other than a disk included elsewhere in table

O, U B Bolt

O, U C Cap of cap-and-bolt pair

D DA Astro pier disk

D DB Bench mark disk

D, U DD Survey disk (other agency)

D, U DE Traverse station disk

D DG Gravity station disk

D, U DH Horizontal control disk

D DJ Tidal station disk

D DK Gravity reference mark disk

D DM Magnetic station disk

D, U DO Disk not specified (see description)

O DP Base line pier disk

D DQ Calibration base line disk

D, U DR Reference mark disk

D, U DS Triangulation station disk

D DT Topographic station disk

D DU Boundary marker

D DV Vertical control disk

D DW NOS hydrographic survey disk

D, U DZ Azimuth mark disk

O, U E Earthenware pot

R F Flange-encased rod

O, U G Glass bottle

O, U H Drill hole

R, U I Metal rod

O, U J Earthenware jug

O, U K Clay tile pipe

O, U L Gravity plug

O, U M Ammo shell casing

O, U N Nail

O, U O Chiseled circle

O, U P Pipe cap

O, U Q Chiseled square

O, U R Rivet

O, U S Spike

O, U T Chiseled triangle

O, U U Concrete post (without other marks)

O, U V Stone monument

O, U W Unmonumented

O, U X Chiseled cross

O, U Y Drill hole in brick

O, U Z See description

Landmarks not Listed

L 0 Other mark or intersection station, see description

Natural Objects

L 01 Lone tree

L 02 Conspicuous rock

L 03 Mountain peak

L 04 Rock pinnacle

L 05 Rock awash

Waterfront Landmarks and Visual Aids to Navigation

L 11 Piling

L 12 Dolphin

L 13 Lighthouse

L 14 Navigation light

L 15 Range marker

L 16 Daybeacon

L 17 Flag tower

L 18 Signal mast

Aeronautical and Electronic Aids to Navigation

L 21 Airport beacon

L 22 Airway beacon

L 23 VOR antenna

L 24 REN antenna

L 25 Radar antenna

L 26 Spherical radome

L 27 Radio range mast

L 28 LORAN mast

Broadcast and Communications Facilities

L 41 Antenna mast

L 42 Radio/TV mast

L 43 Radio/TV tower

L 44 Microwave mast

L 45 Microwave tower

Tanks and Towers

L 51 Tank

L 52 Standpipe tank

L 53 Elevated tank

L 54 Water tower

L 55 Tower

L 56 Skeleton tower

L 57 Lookout tower

L 58 Control tower

Miscellaneous Landmarks

L 61 Pole

L 62 Flagpole

L 63 Stack

L 64 Silo

L 65 Grain elevator

L 66 Windmill

L 67 Oil derrick

L 68 Commercial sign

L 69 Regulatory sign

L 70 Monument

L 71 Boundary monument

L 72 Cairn

L 73 Lookout house

L 74 Large cross

L 75 Belfry

Features of a Building

L 81 Gable

L 82 Finial

L 83 Flagstaff

L 84 Lightning rod

L 85 Chimney

L 86 Cupola

L 87 Dome

L 88 Observatory dome

L 89 Spire

L 90 Church spire

L 91 Church cross

L 92 Antenna on roof

L 93 Microwave antenna on building

L 94 Rooftop ventilator

L 95 Rooftop blockhouse

Unquote...

(Please note that the first letter is for something else)

 

We had found it in Zhanna's post in this Thread

but, we have used parkrrrr's format.

 

I am going to work shortly and John is in bed now, but if you have a more complete list that is official, please post it for all to see so we can all vote if we should use the 'updated' - "beejay&esskay" version, or the NGS version. :rolleyes:

 

We are happy to consider ways to make this contest better. If everyone agrees, then John will give his ruling....

 

Happy hunting!

 

Shirley~

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I think what TsegiMike and Desert Viking may be referring to is a gps that don't display the time or is unreadable due to screen damage. If that is the case would a digtal photo with a date and time stamp work for them?

 

If your GPSr does not show the 'date' for what ever reason, then a 'time-stamped' digital picture will work. The date must be readable.

 

Since we allow using benchmarks that have been previously found, we need the date to avoid having someone use those previous logs and not go back and verify the mark.

 

John

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I have another suggestion - my cell phone also displays the time and date. Perhaps if a GPSr date isn't an option, or the finder is an over-achiever who wants to include both date and coordinates in the photo (i.e., cell phone for date, GPSr for coordinates), include a cell phone in the photo.

 

Yikes! :lol: November 1? That's Tuesday -- I've got work to do.

 

Colleen

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As part of the expansion/rehosting of the DustyJacket site, I would like to host pictures of all of the types of PIDs. If possible, especially for the "odder" types of PIDs, please take a good photo w/out a GPS unit in the way. That way we can put a good set of photos together, that will hopefully encompass nearly all of the types of PIDs available.

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As part of the expansion/rehosting of the DustyJacket site, I would like to host pictures of all of the types of PIDs.  If possible, especially for the "odder" types of PIDs, please take a good photo w/out a GPS unit in the way.  That way we can put a good set of photos together, that will hopefully encompass nearly all of the types of PIDs available.

 

Buck,

 

Do you want the people to send you a picture of the unusual ones or are you going to keep an eye out for those and harvest them from the logs on the 'Unofficial' thread?

 

*Just a note to everyone - The contest started OCT. 29th per a request - It runs through Jan. 2nd.*

 

I hope we see at least a few people log any of these 'Marker Types'. (We are just having a good time looking ourselves..a couple we hadn't even noticed the "marker types" till now.)

 

Good luck Hunting!

 

Shirley~

Edited by 2oldfarts (the rockhounders)
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I'll sift through, or get input from you, Shirley. Many of the more common types will be logged already, so it's only crucial for the uncommon or rare types.

Define 'uncommon or rare'. What shall I search for, after the contest is over, (It's all about the numbers!). I'd be delighted, when I have to opportunity to look for the pipe cap in Ogdensburg that hasn't been reported since 1932, or the clay tile on the banks of the Hackensack River. Not sure that I'd be too successful finding either, but I'd be willing to give it a try.

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Since there are so few bench marks logged in Essex County, and there are some interesting types that we need, we're hoping to get to Newark on Sunday.

Here's an ever sillier one! KV0095. Description clearly says chiseled square. But marker type is X=Chiseled Cross. We'll let you know, if we can find it.

For my Z=See Description, I fancy this one: KV3523. If we can find it. :D

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What surprises me, and it probably should not surprise me, is the number of benchmarks (especially the intersection stations) that have been missing for many, many years. Figuring that tanks and stacks should be visible on Google Earth, what is obvious is that most of them have long ago been destroyed. For the contest, I've combed the records of six counties in New Jersey and two in New York. (Sussex, Morris, Passaic, Bergen, Hudson and Essex, NJ, and New York and Kings, NY. )

Most of the benchmarks from the 1930's are gone. Triangulation stations monumented in 1931 were reported not found in 1933. Bridges with rivets and disks, tanks, flagpoles, airway beacons. I'm starting to think that half the stations listed disappeared many, many years ago. Seems like time for a major clean up of the data base.

Going for a 52=Standpipe Tank on Saturday!! How this qualifies is beyond me, but that is how it is listed! :cool:

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Going for a 52=Standpipe Tank on Saturday!!  How this qualifies is beyond me, but that is how it is listed!  :anicute:

I'm guessing that would be the Highbridge tower.

 

It's nice to see that the Port Authjority actually checked the coordinates in 2000. I think most of us had assumed that intersection stations were things of the past as far as professional surveying is concerned.

 

As far being a "standpipe", I think there is no water tank inside the structure. I think is was ornamental from day 1. But it was built as part of the Old Croton acqueduct so it is at least related to drinking water.

Edited by Papa-Bear-NYC
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"Dolphin run amok. (It's all Shirley's fault!)" :)

 

So, Mr. Dolphin, have you run across the elusive "Dolphin" yet? I am really curious as to what this might look like. Will it be "Hairy"? ;)

 

That place where the N = Nail is, seems to be in a rough neighborhood. Better take the baseball bat along. I wonder if we should include that into the "Tools you need for Benchmarking"?

 

Shirley~

Edited by 2oldfarts (the rockhounders)
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That's "Harry"! (Seems to be a common error, though.)

Ah, Shirley... Coney Island's only about 40 miles from here, but ten million people live between here and there! An hour to the bridge ($6), Cross Bronx to the Whitestone (another $10), down the Van Wyck... To the Belt Parkway?

The dolphins is what set me going... Andy Bear lived in Coney Island for a while, and is interested in revisiting. Pilings nearby? Still there after 60 years? Who knows. Two dolphins listed in Gravesend Bay.

So, that set me to looking for other unique benchmarks (that I do not see listed anywhere else), in Brooklyn. This may take some careful planning.

KV0568=Topographic Station Disk

KU3490=DM=Magnetic Station Disk (Floyd Bennett Field)

KU3505=Airport Beacon (Same location)

KV4524, KV459=dolphin

KV4558=piling

So, that got me started looking in Queens...

KU3458=belfry

KU3302=Traverse Station Disk

KU3775=Gable

KU3318=Radar Antenna (Doesn't look like it's still there...)

KU3503=Microwave Tower

KU3344=Stone Monument (been there already...)

How much can one dolphin do in one day?!? We will definitely have fun trying! Long weekend, but we're only planning one day for as many as we can find. And, of course, the dolphins have priority. :)

Then there are the two chiseled triangles in Bergen County... One seems to be a disk, and the other was last 'not found'. And the calibration base line disk at Andover Aeroflex Airport.

Shirley, you jest. (Oops, too much Police Squad) Dolphin accepts the challenge!

Edited by Harry Dolphin
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Who's in the lead of the contest right now?

 

These are the only ones who have posted their finds as of 11/23/2005

 

 

Well the 2oldfarts are bringing up the rear!

marker types are - DD,Z,53,57,86 (total=5)

 

Followed by Geo-Trailblazer1

marker types - DH,DS,DV,B,I,Q,R,Z,42,53,57,63,65 (total=13)

 

Then Buck Brooke

marker types - DB,DD,DH,DR,DS,DZ,F,I,R,3,22,42,45,53,62,63,82,87,90 (total=19)

 

With the fishy character in the lead :o (we know, a dolphin isn't a fish :P )

Harry Dolphin

marker types - DB,DD,DH,DJ,DS,DV,B,F,H,I,R,Q,

13,14,22,43,52,53,54,55,57,62,63,70,82,83,85,86,87,89,90,91,98 (total=34)

 

 

John

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OK. Went out this morning after work and found 3 different types in downtown Chillicothe Ohio. I'll have them logged on GC.com in a few minutes. Where do I log for the contest? I thought I saved the link, but now I can't find it.

 

I think you are right. This is pretty addicting. I thought geocaching was cool, but this doesn't require stealth! Of course, I do miss getting the good stuff from caches. I have a really nice rubber lizard collection!

 

Edit: Never mind....found it!!!

Edited by maggieszoo
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Welcome to the contest! Have fun and be warned...it is very addicting. B) Just look at what it has done to Mr. Dolphin. ;)

 

Shirley~

The short days and cold weather make this tougher! Andy Bear and I went on a four day marathon benchmarking expedition. Looking for the more obtuse benchmarks. Final tally: $20 in tolls to get from Guttenberg, New Jersey to Breezy Point, New York. We were unable to find: Piling, belfry, magnetic station disk, topographic station disk (still one more opportunity on this one), and clay tile pipe. Ran out of time before we could get to: Traverse Station Disk, Stone Monument, Gable and Nail. But, we've got more time to look for them! Christmas in Queens! By GPS it's only 15 miles from Guttenberg, NJ to Breezy Point, NY. By road that was over 90 miles (plus the $20 in tolls). Still in the plans: Calibration station disk, pipe cap, and azimuth disk. And whatever else I can find!

Totals for the weekend: 21 stations found, 14 DNFs. Oh, well. It might take the rest of the week to log these things!

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Who's in the lead of the contest right now?

 

These are the only ones who have posted their finds as of 11/23/2005

 

 

Well the 2oldfarts are bringing up the rear!

marker types are - DD,Z,53,57,86 (total=5)

 

Followed by Geo-Trailblazer1

marker types - DH,DS,DV,B,I,Q,R,Z,42,53,57,63,65 (total=13)

 

Then Buck Brooke

marker types - DB,DD,DH,DR,DS,DZ,F,I,R,3,22,42,45,53,62,63,82,87,90 (total=19)

 

With the fishy character in the lead ;) (we know, a dolphin isn't a fish B) )

Harry Dolphin

marker types - DB,DD,DH,DJ,DS,DV,B,F,H,I,R,Q,

13,14,22,43,52,53,54,55,57,62,63,70,82,83,85,86,87,89,90,91,98 (total=34)

 

 

John

Only 2 more.

It is getting darker faster and harder to get these pictures.

I am running low on funds...

And the girls are having more projects in school.

Man I hope I can get to more than this or................

got a few more days.

 

44=MICROWAVE MAST HE1048 SW BELL MICROWAVE

 

??=?? CONCRETE MONUMENT HE1054 JOPLIN HWY MARKER

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I just spent 16 very intense days of caching for the Coin Quest Contest sponsored by Cach-U-Nuts. And my efforts paid off because I am now the proud owner of Coin #51! But as I said in my final log:

 

"This contest brought geocaching to a whole new level for me! And like finishing a good book, I will be going through some serious Coin Quest Contest withdrawals over the next few days. Did anyone plan a Coin Quest Support Group Event yet?"

 

Fortunately, I was referred to your Benchmarking Contest for therapy by maggiezoo! (Thanks for the tip, Maggie!) Although I have logged only a few benchmarks since I started caching, I have always been fascinated by them. So, I'm jumping on board and hope to find a few more benchmarks to log for this contest, too. :lol:

 

The most fascinating benchmark I have found is MY5214 - Borden Baseline Boundary Marker. I even made it one of the stages of my multi-cache, Seabrook's First Cache!, in Seabrook, NH.

 

Thanks for this contest. I am starting to feel better already! :ph34r:

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I just spent 16 very intense days of caching for the Coin Quest Contest sponsored by Cach-U-Nuts. And my efforts paid off because I am now the proud owner of Coin #51! But as I said in my final log:

 

"This contest brought geocaching to a whole new level for me! And like finishing a good book, I will be going through some serious Coin Quest Contest withdrawals over the next few days. Did anyone plan a Coin Quest Support Group Event yet?"

 

Fortunately, I was referred to your Benchmarking Contest for therapy by maggiezoo! (Thanks for the tip, Maggie!) Although I have logged only a few benchmarks since I started caching, I have always been fascinated by them. So, I'm jumping on board and hope to find a few more benchmarks to log for this contest, too. :ph34r:

 

The most fascinating benchmark I have found is MY5214 - Borden Baseline Boundary Marker. I even made it one of the stages of my multi-cache, Seabrook's First Cache!, in Seabrook, NH.

 

Thanks for this contest. I am starting to feel better already! :lol:

The need for feed.

Feed that competitive spirit,thats the way to go.

 

You will never be the same again.

Keep up the good work,and competative spirit.

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Aargh! Would you believe that it had the nerve to snow two inches of slush today? I have enough trouble finding these little disks during nice weather! Plans were for an azimuth mark disk, a stone monument (on private property), and a gravity station disk placed (and last reported) in 1937. Oh, well, might get to them after the contest is over. Winter weather is here.

Next week is the geocaching event at the brew pub, so we're going after the calibration base line disk and a different azimuth mark disk.

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I just spent 16 very intense days of caching for the Coin Quest Contest sponsored by Cach-U-Nuts.  And my efforts paid off because I am now the proud owner of Coin #51!  But as I said in my final log:

 

"This contest brought geocaching to a whole new level for me! And like finishing a good book, I will be going through some serious Coin Quest Contest withdrawals over the next few days. Did anyone plan a Coin Quest Support Group Event yet?"

 

Fortunately, I was referred to your Benchmarking Contest for therapy by maggiezoo!  (Thanks for the tip, Maggie!)  Although I have logged only a few benchmarks since I started caching, I have always been fascinated by them.  So, I'm jumping on board and hope to find a few more benchmarks to log for this contest, too.  ;)

 

The most fascinating benchmark I have found is MY5214 - Borden Baseline Boundary Marker.  I even made it one of the stages of my multi-cache, Seabrook's First Cache!, in Seabrook, NH.

 

Thanks for this contest.  I am starting to feel better already!  :ph34r:

Goldfinch593,

 

Welcome to the contest! That is a great find and all you need do, is go get the required picture with either a GPSr or PDA with the date showing at the site.

 

The more people playing - the more fun it is.

 

maggiezoo,

 

Are you feeling better? Is there snow in your neck of the woods too?

 

Harry,

 

You need to take a vacation out this way to get a whole new group of marker types to go for and it is a little warmer here...no snow. :D

 

Shirley~

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