The 2 Dogs Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 Hey you guys up there....spare a thought for your fellow geocachers down under. It's summer down here and so far we have had to contend with some terrible times. Most of our parks are closed due to fear of firestorms. Many of our caches have been destroyed by fire of have been deactivated because they are in fire prone areas. Bushfires continue to rage around Sydney and just this week in Canberra (The nations Capital)firestorms destroyed over 400 homes in just a couple of hours, and killed 4 people. The fires have burnt out areas the size of Texas in just a few days. So we have to be very carefull where we go, because these are firestorms we are talking about which are far more terrifying and fast moving than the conventional bushfire. We have also had the highest number of snake/spider bites ever recorded this year (probably a result of the fires upsetting habitat). And drought continues to turn our river recreation areas into dry dust holes, baking in the seering 110 degree heat. Not a good season so far for geocaching in Oz. Hounddog. Quote Link to comment
+15Tango Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 It's been a fairly snowless winter here in Minnesota, USA, so we can probably look forward to the same here this coming summer. There is still quite a few blown down trees in the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness Area that we've been waiting to go up in flames for the last couple of years, and I have a feeling that with our lack of snowfall this year, this summer will be it. Anyhow, you have my best wishes, and hope you fair well. Think Globally, Act Locally Life is good. Quote Link to comment
+Smitherington Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 It is amazing that I can be out caching in 10 degree F weather and knowing I have to keep moving to keep warm and others are doing all they can to keep cool while pursuing the same hobby. Be careful down there. Quote Link to comment
+Chichikov Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 Hounddog, I've been following the news about the fires and it sounds horrific. We have two feet of snow on the ground and last night's temps reached -15 degrees F (with a stiff wind thrown in for good measure), but if I had to choose between the two I think I'd stay home. Good luck to ya. --------------- Where am I going? I don't quite know. What does it matter where people go? Down to the wood where the blue-bells grow- Anywhere, anywhere. I don't know. -A.A. Milne Quote Link to comment
+sparklehorse Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 I've seen some of the coverage on the news here too, and it does look just nasty. Didn't you experience a similar situation last year? Bad times. Hang in there, we're thinking about ya. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- This message has been edited to fit your TV screen. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Quote Link to comment
+Planet Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 I just had an e-mail from my cousin and her husband saying they had arrived safe in Sydney for the begining of a six month stay with their two little boys. I hope everyone is safe. I did see it on the news here this morning about the 400 homes and about the people who have died so far. Our hopes and prayers are with you. Cache you later, Planet "To err is human, to forgive....$5.00" Quote Link to comment
+nincehelser Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 ...we get "Kangaroo Jack". No...not a good year George Quote Link to comment
South_Cache Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 Actually I am pulling for the US to win the Americas Cup. Aussies are my favorite people in the whole wide world, great sailors and a great country. Stay SAFE down there!! Fair winds, Capn Skully Quote Link to comment
+Maverix Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 That sounds nasty, hope things get better soon. I guess in 110 degree heat you must go outside in the early morning or late at night. To quote the old joke about Califonia (where I live) "we do get winter in California for about two weeks when it rains like crazy. This is followed by what we call Spring, a combination of Earthquakes and Mudslides. Of course, we do have an Autumn when all the leaves catch the color of fire...actually, they just catch fire (Autumn is fire season). And the remaining forty-six weeks are an interminable Summer--hot, dry, and dusty(yes, but it's a dry heat)." Quote Link to comment
+georgeandmary Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 There's always the urban micro cache. It'll hold you over until you can get back into the bush. george Pedal until your legs cramp up and then pedal some more. Quote Link to comment
The 2 Dogs Posted January 21, 2003 Author Share Posted January 21, 2003 Thanks to all for the best wishes. We will hope that things improve soon and our hearts go out to all who have lost their homes, obviously this is a whole lot worse than losing just a geocache. The contrast of seasons is startling and we know that the U.S is no stranger to the fury of the elements. Tornados seem the be the most frightening to me. quote:Originally posted by georgeandmary:There's always the urban micro cache. It'll hold you over until you can get back into the bush. Actually that is what most of us are doing down here this summer. We have been placing mostly urban caches, even some caches underwater. Hounddog Quote Link to comment
The 2 Dogs Posted January 21, 2003 Author Share Posted January 21, 2003 quote:Originally posted by nincehelser:...we get "Kangaroo Jack". No...not a good year George I saw the David Letterman show which airs down here at around midnight. I must admit to not knowing that Kangaroo Jack was in Cinemas. The rap dancing scene looked a hoot. Did you know the roos are actually quite a bit of a pest down here. They are everywhere. That is why we need large bull bars on the front of our cars and many people have been killed on country roads because of them. They are a major hazard on country air strips as well. On the caching front we have to be very careful what we put in our stashes as the buggers pick up the scent of everything, and are quite adept at getting into things. Hounddog Quote Link to comment
+Orange Hippo Posted January 21, 2003 Share Posted January 21, 2003 quote: Did you know the roos are actually quite a bit of a pest down here. They are everywhere. That is why we need large bull bars on the front of our cars and many people have been killed on country roads because of them. They are a major hazard on country air strips as well. On the caching front we have to be very careful what we put in our stashes as the buggers pick up the scent of everything, and are quite adept at getting into things. So what's happening with your oversized varmints with the fires? Are they moving into the towns and cities?? That would be somewhat dangerous as well correct? *********************************************************** You're not pull startin' a dadgum lawnmower, squeeze the trigger! Quote Link to comment
SNIFTER Posted January 22, 2003 Share Posted January 22, 2003 Over the last couple of months the roos and wallabys have been encroaching into the urban backyards that ajoin the bush. Our home is one of those. The drought has made them look for feed and water so backyard grass is very tasty to them. When the fires come if they don't get out then they perish but they are a hardy lot. Koalas seem to suffer the most. Our bushland relies on the fires for the germination of our native flora and also for the natural culling of prolific breeding animals. Quote Link to comment
+bartman007uk Posted January 22, 2003 Share Posted January 22, 2003 And while you are experiencing fires, in the UK we are getting heavy rainfall and flooding, actually much of Europe has had floods in the last few months. When they want rain, native Americans do a dance. When I go geocaching, it rains. Is there a link? Quote Link to comment
+mornin'glory Posted January 22, 2003 Share Posted January 22, 2003 Tornados seem the be the most frightening to me. not to start any kind of war of words, tornados aren't so bad, it's just the suddeness of them. yes, i've been through 40 of them, lost people, lost things too. so please no flaming! Click to subscribe to ozmtngeocachers if you cache it, they will come. Quote Link to comment
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