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National Geoevent

georgeandmary

By georgeandmary
in General geocaching topics

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Planet

+Planet

Posted
Posted

quote:
Originally posted by worldtraveler:

quote:
Originally posted by Planet:

Yosemite or Grand Tetons or someplace out there that is really really nice!

...but the custodians there don't like us. Why hold an event where your activity is not welcome?

 

Worldtraveler

 

What I was getting at was have it somewhere away from the lights and glitter and casinos and decadence. That's just my opinion, I prefer to stay out of the cities, and in the woods. And if it's just an event and we're not placing a cache we should be welcome there. Besides, I'm not a gambler.

 

Editing my post: My vote won't count anyway as there is a very slim chance I could go. I'd want to but I don't think I'd be able to.

Cache you later,

Planet

 

I feel much more like I do now than when I first got here.

 

[This message was edited by Planet on November 03, 2002 at 02:13 PM.]

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Dru Morgan

Dru Morgan

Posted
Posted

For Vegas, Baby!!!

 

My wife and I are not gamblers at all. (do the math) But, we love Vegas. Cheap, nice hotels, great pools for the families and a town that can handle a group event of any size. Southwest flies there from just about everywhere really cheap. Vegas has my vote.

 

(Oh, and my Sin City Micro doesn't make me biased in any way) icon_biggrin.gif

 

stealyourcache.gif Half my life is spent explaining to Christians why I am a deadhead. The other half is spent explaining to deadheads why I am a Christian. -Dru Morgan

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georgeandmary

+georgeandmary

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Vegas is a really short drive from some really beautiful places. Zion NP is only a hour away. There are other canyons and desert mountain areas that are even closer. You just need Vegas for the $2.00 all you can eat shrip and lobester after the hike.

 

george

 

39570_500.jpg

Pedal until your legs cramp up and then pedal some more.

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cachew nut

+cachew nut

Posted
Posted

quote:
Originally posted by Centaur:

I vote for Chicago too. icon_smile.gif Even Busse Woods. icon_wink.gif

Heh, mine was not a vote for Chicago.

 

I think if there were a national convention, I'd prefer it to be an outdoor event, perhaps like a jamboree. I hear that if you can gather enough people in one place, the post office can declare the gathering a "town" and issue a postmark with the "town's" name. You can then bring an envelope to the post office and have the stamp cancelled with the special postmark. Not sure how many people would qualify as a "town", but I hear the scouts used to do this.

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georgeandmary

+georgeandmary

Posted
  • Author
Posted

quote:
Originally posted by cachew nut:

quote:
Originally posted by Centaur:

I vote for Chicago too. icon_smile.gif Even Busse Woods. icon_wink.gif

Heh, mine was not a vote for Chicago.

 

I think if there were a national convention, I'd prefer it to be an outdoor event, perhaps like a jamboree. I hear that if you can gather enough people in one place, the post office can declare the gathering a "town" and issue a postmark with the "town's" name. You can then bring an envelope to the post office and have the stamp cancelled with the special postmark. Not sure how many people would qualify as a "town", but I hear the scouts used to do this.

 

We'll plant our utopian geocaching community in the middle of the desert and run around naked with gps's trying to find our clothes.

 

At the end we'll follow the way points to one last giant cache where we all sign the log then set it on fire and dance around it.

 

george

 

george

 

39570_500.jpg

Pedal until your legs cramp up and then pedal some more.

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Captain No Beard and the Pi Rats

+Captain No Beard and the Pi Rats

Posted
Posted

Hey, I've been t' sev'ral events in Reno...Not big and glitzy, same meal deals, cheaper 'otels, and lots of nearer wilderness...lots of fun, cheap airfare from most of the east...easy to drive to from NorthWest and SouthWest, convention type space is MUCH!!!cHEAPER...worth thinkin' 'bout

 

Keep yer sail 'igh, 'nd move swiftly,

:) Captain No Beard and the Pi Rats

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shrekTBA

shrekTBA

Posted
Posted

Here in the Sheridan area would be fun too, moutains less than 20 miles away, and to the north, plains, to the south foothills, and to the east, high plains desert. There is alot of free camping (or at least cheap), several larger venues for the gatherings, or just have them outside. There is something for everyone within 200 miles. Yellowstone, Black Hills, Devils Tower, Fishing and lots of hiking in the mountains. And if in August, the bike rally in Sturgis.

 

It's not a sport unless there is something dead in the back of the truck when you get home.

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V7L

+V7L

Posted
Posted

Meet on the grounds where they make Tupperware. Used to be a factory in Idaho, but it seems to be closed (woulda been a nice place to meet). Quick web search didn't reveal current factories, but corporate office appear to be in Orlando, FL, and Heminway, SC.

 

Just imagine... 10,000 one-day caches hidden in the Tupperware parking lot. That'll teach 'em.

 

V7L

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Cachier

+Cachier

Posted
Posted

quote:
Originally posted by georgeandmary:

 

We'll plant our utopian geocaching community in the middle of the desert and run around naked with gps's trying to find our clothes.

 

george

 

george

 

http://img.Groundspeak.com/user/39570_500.jpg

Pedal until your legs cramp up and then pedal some more.

 

George, you a genious...Arizona would be perfect!

 

"When you find it, its always in the last place you look."

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Mudfrog

+Mudfrog

Posted
Posted

Vegas sounds goooooooood! Only thing is that i would have to have one of ya'll carry all of my millions so that i wouldnt gamble it all away in one night,, icon_razz.gif.

 

Seriously, sounds like a great event to be had even if Vegas is known as "Sin City". Now days everyone, especially families, can have a blast there! Its like a giant theme park icon_smile.gif

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Jamie Z

+Jamie Z

Posted
Posted

You know, I just may be able to make an event if the timing were right. I plan to have an inordinate amount of time off during the summer. Most of that time is already committed, but I may end up with a couple extra weeks.

 

I'm not picky about a location. Nevada would be cool, I've never been out that way (except to Northern Nevada).

 

What I think would be most fair for an event of this magnitude is to find the center of the geocaching population, and have the gathering there. That way, you've equalized the distance required for travel.

 

How do we find the geocaching population center? Ideally we'd use the population of geocachers, but we don't have much information about ourselves. You know what we do have? A enormous database of geocaches.

 

I propose that someone with the ability should find the geocaching center of the U.S., and proclaim that as the site of the National Geocaching Rodeo.

 

...Or, somebody just take the dadgum initiative and plan the Geocaching event wherever they want. Whoever can make it is welcome to come.

 

Jamie

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TriCityGuy

TriCityGuy

Posted
Posted

How about using a forumula where you figure out where the geographical center of all hidden caches within the continental United States and then pick the nearest feasible place. Whether that's based off hidden caches or home coordinates of geocachers--I would suspect they are similarly located? I would also suspect it might be biased a bit west since the sport started in Oregon.

 

Now for the math and a map.....

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Markwell

+Markwell

Posted
Posted

Call me a nay-sayer, but I still don't think this is going to fly. The Great Plains Geocachers is a multi-regional organization. They held a gathering in Des Moines, and didn't get any more people than would have come from a local gathering, although more came from greater distances. I'm not against having a meeting, I'm just doubtful that it will turn into anything more than a big Geocaching picnic.

 

However, if we'd still like to argue pie-in-the-sky locations, how about the opposite of Vegas?

 

I got into Geocaching to take me to gorgeous wilderness spots: forests, mountains, hiking with my boots and a walking stick to get away from the mechanizations of modern day and the hustle and bustle of the work-a-day world. Why would I drop searching for caches to go spend a day with slot machines and Wayne Newton.

 

In looking at the 269 caches in 100 mile proximity to Vegas, one the first 25 caches listed, 11 are virtual.

 

It seems to me that a spot that had more historic, rustic and cache-able areas would be more appealing for a BIG event.

 

Washington state is the area where this started, right? Look how many more caches there are there, and the scenery would be FABULOUS.

 

Markwell

Chicago Geocaching

"Therapy is expensive but bubble wrap is free."

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The Leprechauns

+The Leprechauns

Posted
Posted

I would fly to Vegas or Reno at the drop of a dime, since I like dropping big "dimes" ($10 chips) at the blackjack tables. But Markwell's post convinced me that Seattle would be a great choice as well. Just pick a day when it's sunny and free of precipitation.

 

x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

Please attend our seminar, "Geocaching for Time Travelers," which will be held two weeks ago.

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georgeandmary

+georgeandmary

Posted
  • Author
Posted

quote:
Originally posted by Markwell:

Call me a nay-sayer, but I still don't think this is going to fly. The Great Plains Geocachers is a multi-regional organization. They held a gathering in Des Moines, and didn't get any more people than would have come from a local gathering, although more came from greater distances. I'm not against having a meeting, I'm just doubtful that it will turn into anything more than a big Geocaching picnic.

 

To make it more than a picnic, and a real convention, you'd need gps reps with product demonstrations. Let's see Rhinos.

 

Of course, you'd need Jeremy and the volunteers who approve the caches. Seminars on how to hide a cache, how to make unique containers. Maybe some seminars on wilderness laws and how to approach a park managers. etc etc

 

As for Vegas not being beautiful, you just need to drive outside the city limits. Anyone that thinks Zion NP is not one of the most wonderful places on earth just hasn't been there. The whole red rock canyon country is just amazing. Try picking up a good gps reception in a slot canyon.

 

11147_700.jpg

 

george

 

39570_500.jpg

Pedal until your legs cramp up and then pedal some more.

 

[This message was edited by georgeandmary on November 05, 2002 at 08:56 AM.]

 

[This message was edited by georgeandmary on November 05, 2002 at 09:00 AM.]

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Markwell

+Markwell

Posted
Posted

quote:
Originally posted by georgeandmary:

To make it more than a picnic, and a real convention, you'd need gps reps with product demonstrations. Let's see Rhinos.

 

Of course, you'd need Jeremy and the volunteers who approve the caches. Seminars on how to hide a cache, how to make unique containers. Maybe some seminars on wilderness laws and how to approach a park managers. etc etc

Agreed. If this is to be more than a gathering of local cachers, it needs to incorporate all that you have said and probably more. I would need some excuse to find the time/money to venture across the US to some mecca of Geocaching. Since there's always plenty of local events that are much closer to the average cacher (no matter where it is), the question that needs to be addressed is: What could be offered at a National Conference that cannot be offerred at a local level?

 

quote:
As for Vegas not being beautiful, you just need to drive outside the city limits. Anyone that thinks Zion NP is not one of the most wonderful places on earth just hasn't been there. The whole red rock canyon country is just amazing. Try picking up a good gps reception in a slot canyon.
I did not say "not beautiful." I merely commented that I think there is a list of locations that might be better suited. IMO, anywhere could be a good location for a Nat'l event, but which would be the best?

 

It's like looking for a location for the Olympics. There has to be the right mix of topography and urbanization to accommodate the needs of the gathering. That's why I said that personally, I would rather that it be in a location with TONS of caches (Salt Lake City?) and enough variety in the topography to appeal to all finders: urban, deep forest, mountaineering, etc.

 

BTW - those pictures are for a National Park, which of course would be off limits to caches. icon_wink.gif

 

Markwell

Chicago Geocaching

"Therapy is expensive but bubble wrap is free."

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TeamJiffy

+TeamJiffy

Posted
Posted

Sorry to be sending a 'downer' post but... I think we have a number of challenges to overcome for any convention...

 

A real joy of Geocaching is in the solitude of the hunt vs. the group nature of the web site. In other words, I'm at home, on the web site, at the 'base camp' as it were - and then I go off (with Fran=Fy) alone to find the cache, then come back and talk about it. It's sort of like an "Adventurer's Club". I think going to a convention creates an experience exactly the opposite of this feeling.

 

I'm not sure what would be the agenda/schedule in such a convention. How much is there to say about Geocaching in an organized forum? I can imagine "good shoes to wear" "good gear to carry" and not a whole heck of a lot more.

 

I think conventions were far more popular for activities like this when there wasn't a web... anything we need to talk about, we discuss in the forums.

 

I think that vs. vacations, etc. people are going to have a hard time to convince loved-ones to spend hard-earned money (is it ever not hard-earned?!?) to go to a Geocaching conference.

 

However, I think that a "Bash" of some sort - a mostly informal, slightly formal gathering of significant Geocachers (Jeremy, some others, define significant how you want), where someone blocks a set of reduced-cost rooms at a hotel, there's a couple of fun dinners, get to know folks, etc... That can work, and other groups (such as chat-roomers of the Tolkien films at The One Ring.net have done these with some success.

 

-Joel

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Markwell

+Markwell

Posted
Posted

Or how about something like the SciFi Conventions...

 

There's not one be-all-and-end-all convention, but a series of conventions held in key cities. Significant people can travel around to actually meet the people that use this site, while picking up some good caching. Kind of like George Takei visiting all those towns and saying "Live Long and Prosper."

 

Markwell

Chicago Geocaching

"Therapy is expensive but bubble wrap is free."

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Cache Canucks

Cache Canucks

Posted
Posted

quote:
Originally posted by Markwell:

"...Or how about something like the SciFi Conventions..."

 

That's an interesting example. Two months before the first ever Star Trek convention back in 1972 (we all remember that one, don't we?), organizers (just two people, to be exact) were pleased with the 300 folks who had registered to attend, since that pretty much met their expectations and was the projected number needed to 'break even' in costs. The day before the event was to kick off, there were 800 registrations and, by the time the 3 day event at New York's Statler-Hilton hotel concluded, over 3000(!) people had registered. Keep in mind that this was a humble 'lets see what happens' event that involved little more than flying in a handful of celebrities, booking a hotel banquet room in which to hear them speak, and getting the word out ...long before today's slickly orchestrated big$$$ 'MegaCon' productions.

 

I'm not suggesting that a 'build it and they will come' gathering of GeoCachers would necessarily be as big of a success but, if approached in a similarly conservative 'keep it simple' way, you might be pleasantly surprised at the number of people who would attend. Given the right venue, many could justify the trip by the GeoCaching 'event' being merely one of any number of *other* 'things to see/do' during their visit (one of the reasons why a 'Las Vegas' type of location mightn't be a bad idea ...go see Hoover Dam or the Grand Canyon after you listen to the Garmin rep's presentation on the latest and greatest in handheld GPSr technology). As for the cost of bringing speakers to such an event, if they're representing a corporate interest and/or promoting a product, they should pay their own way ...in some cases (Garmin, Magellan, RAM Mounts, etc.), they should even be hit to help $pon$or the event and reduce its costs.

 

There's 22,000 of us out there, the vast majority of whom are within a $300US plane ride of any point in the continental U.S.; if even 2% of that number was to participate, this could be very do-able.

 

[This message was edited by Cache Canucks on November 06, 2002 at 02:48 PM.]

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