voltaire Posted March 17, 2004 Share Posted March 17, 2004 Hi Folks I'm planning a trip across the country this summer, eventually reaching Maine before I return to California. While this is somewhat a vacation, my real purpose is to explore our notions of the sublime, using GPS technology and your explorations to assist me. My course across the country will be determined by the GPS coordinates for sublime sites that fellow geocachers submit. If you have come across such sites yourselves and you have the coordinates for them, I would really appreciate your letting me see what you discovered. If you'll send me the coordinates, I'll attempt to incorporate the sites into my trip. The sublime has a long history with regards to landscape and images of landscape. I am interested in our collective notions of it and how we explore it through using GIS systems. This may present interesting ideas in relationship to 18th and 19th century exploration and ideas about sublime written about by such philosophers as Kant and Burke. I hope you'll find this somewhat interesting yourself and help me out by submitting coordnates of sublime sites you've visited in your area or in other parts of the country. It'll make my trip that much more fun. Thanks, voltaire Quote Link to comment
voltaire Posted March 20, 2004 Author Share Posted March 20, 2004 Hi Folks Just checking to see if anyone has submitted anything and I see nobody has...disappointing. If what I'm requesting is unclear, please let me know and I'll give a better explanation. Sometimes bringing up dead philosophers is a real conversation stopper. I was just trying to give some context; I can simplify if it would help. I would really like to check out some sites in the Midwest, though. Thanks, voltaire Quote Link to comment
cutsandbruises Posted March 20, 2004 Share Posted March 20, 2004 Definition of sublime: Main Entry: [2]sublime Function: adjective Inflected Form(s): sub·lim·er; -est Etymology: Latin sublimis, literally, high, elevated Date: 1586 1 a : lofty, grand, or exalted in thought, expression, or manner b : of outstanding spiritual, intellectual, or moral worth c : tending to inspire awe usually because of elevated quality (as of beauty, nobility, or grandeur) or transcendent excellence 2 a : archaic : high in place b : obsolete : lofty of mien : HAUGHTY c : capitalized : SUPREME — used in a style of address d : COMPLETE, UTTER <sublime ignorance> synonym see SPLENDID - sub·lime·ly adverb - sub·lime·ness noun Pronunciation Key © 2001 by Merriam-Webster, Incorporated Merriam-Webster Privacy Policy Cant say any of my geocache finds would fit this description!!! Everyones find means something different to them and to them alone.' Quote Link to comment
voltaire Posted March 20, 2004 Author Share Posted March 20, 2004 Thanks for the definition cutsandbruises, at least someone responded. I know that the sublime exists in the Midwest; hell, I went to college there and I still have fond memories of the place. Isn't there someplace along the Mississippi that someone can turn me onto? What about someplace along the Lewis and Clark trail? I'm open to any great vista, canyon, creek, sidewalk ...... Hoping to hear from you, voltaire Quote Link to comment
voltaire Posted March 30, 2004 Author Share Posted March 30, 2004 Hello Midwest voltaire here just checking in to see if I can't talk one of you into suggesting some sublime sites to see in your region. Any help is appreciated. Thanks Quote Link to comment
+Cathunter Posted March 30, 2004 Share Posted March 30, 2004 If you get to Wisconsin, make sure to spend a couple of weekdays in the Wisconsin Dells area. Great scenic waterways, boat rides, and of course, caches. From there head to the lake michigan shoreline and take a car ferry across the lake to michigan, where you can continue your journey. Quote Link to comment
+BPACH Posted March 31, 2004 Share Posted March 31, 2004 Sublime is a very subjective term. In my eyes the most beautiful cache I have seen in Michigan is Horse-Shoe Hill. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...aa-ed7366f972ae It has a beautiful view of the river. Quote Link to comment
voltaire Posted March 31, 2004 Author Share Posted March 31, 2004 Thanks BPACH! I can't wait to be there. Hey Cathunter, do you have any coordinates for specific places you've visited? I'm playing a game of creating computer models of the sites prior to actually seeing them - maybe it'll make for some interesting contrasts....insights? Thanks, voltaire Quote Link to comment
voltaire Posted April 6, 2004 Author Share Posted April 6, 2004 Hi Folks voltaire here just checking in to encourage more sublime site coordinate submissions. At this point I have about 22 total. Most of them are in the Northwest. If you know of sites that inspire awe, and they can be rural or urban, I'd sure appreciate hearing about them so that I can incorporate them into my cross-country trek this summer. v. Quote Link to comment
Jamethiel Posted April 6, 2004 Share Posted April 6, 2004 Hey V! I'm visiting the midwest, and I think they've been keeping secrets from you. A few weeks ago I enjoyed a cache in Minnesota called Springbrook (something like that) and last night had a sublime (transcendant style) evening at the Blue Tube outside of Chicago, Ill. Good luck finding your sublime cache. -Jennifer Quote Link to comment
voltaire Posted April 24, 2004 Author Share Posted April 24, 2004 Hi, voltaire here, refreshing my request for sublime sites, or as pjmorse said, places that make you say "wow!" I'm looking for the coordinates of sites, rural or uban, that have left you in awe, due to the site's topography (?). The reason I've used the term sublime is because I'm interested in the history and conception of that term, but you probably don't want to hear about that too much. I'll be leaving for a cross-country motorcycle trip in late June to check out the sites you recommend, document them, and consider how our current thoughts about sublime may, or may not, relate to ideas from the past. Anyway, I appreciate your suggestions. Thanks, voltaire Quote Link to comment
+Gazza&Girls Posted April 26, 2004 Share Posted April 26, 2004 Inspiration Point (not for the cache but the view it's named for) in southern IL looking out over the Mississippi and LaRue Swamp Natural Area. The wow is getting out on the point (at your own risk), then controlling your self enough to truly enjoy the view. Most other sites I think of were sublime in the winter but not other times of year. As I'm sure there are prime seasons for other sites. One's perspective has a huge influence on this. Sticking with southern IL, the trail that Devil's Kitchen #1 is on was filled with sublime vignettes a few weeks ago. They were sublime to me because of the incredible variety of spring woodland flowers in one spot (awe inspiring in the chaotic beauty of it) or the light hitting the rocks just so at that moment. Any other time of year and those "moments" would not have been there. On another level and a few hundred miles north, The Journal is located in a park that is certainly not beautiful but could be considered sublime when cosely observed. The area periodically floods bringing silt to fill the valley of the park. Structures there are slowly growing shorter. The flood brings all kinds of items downstream - demonstrating clearly what one does in their backyard can effect somebody miles away. It is also next to a garbage dump. So there is a constant migration of plastic garbage bags flowing into the park. It's easy to ignore but fascinating to note the dispersal. Just "what is sublime?" is challenging enough. Good luck on the project. Quote Link to comment
GeoStars Posted April 29, 2004 Share Posted April 29, 2004 Not sure I completely understand what you're going for but I'll post a few caches that we found to be in particularly inspiring places. I'll start with one in the western UP of MI. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...&log=y&decrypt= Another UP cache further east. The cache has been archived but since you're looking more for location than caches (at least that's my understanding) I thought I'd include it. There is a tradition cache very close to this one and another within a few miles so you could check out the place and still get a couple of "finds" for the trip. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...48-95dc4cb203e4 Another archived cache but again the area is very unique and worthwhile to visit. It's not so much the views on this one but the history and the idea of trying to create a perfect community. There are other caches in the area so you could visit and still add finds. http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...11-a2da2f65d8ac Hope these are somewhat along the lines of what you're looking for. Quote Link to comment
GeoPhishers Posted April 30, 2004 Share Posted April 30, 2004 (edited) Here is a nice place near Starved Rock St. Park in Illinois. Matthiessen St Park Illinois. N. 41.2951; w. 89.0257...This is the cords for parking. This park is somewhat of secret but becoming more heard of in the last couple years. Lots of great trails and depending on the previous weather you can view 2 great water falls. One is man made and the other is natural. I like the natural one best and after some good rains it really flows and is lota of fun to wade out to and slide down the bumpy rock under it. Sometimes there will be quite a few people at the falls other days you wont see a soul. I would suggest going in the week if you want to see less people. And ofcourse Starved Rock is always a beautiful place to stop for great views of the river. If you go to Matthiessen you should also go to Starved Rock. Just found this http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_detai...4e-15871d2b4d68 cache is hiden there. Think I'll have to go back up there and find it one of these days. Edited April 30, 2004 by pnt1019 Quote Link to comment
voltaire Posted May 25, 2004 Author Share Posted May 25, 2004 Hi For those of you who have been so generous to contribute your thoughts and site suggestions (and for anyone who is interested), I thought you might like to see the collection of "sublime sites" that I have received over the past couple of months. As I've said previously, it's surprising how few sites (none in many cases) came in from the South, the West and the Southwest. I definitely have a lot to check out in any case. Here's the list: waterfall 3 Mississippi: Wilkinson Cnty by katie, josh, and shane [profile] N 31° 04.382 W 091° 31.466 (WGS84) UTM: 15R E 640766 N 3438632 GQ's Headcase Texas: Fort Bend Cnty by Geek-Qualizer [profile] N 29° 38.450 W 095° 39.703 (WGS84) UTM: 15R E 242317 N 3281949 Cat Tails Falls - Big Bend Texas: Brewster Cnty by gowerd [profile] N 29° 16.386 W 103° 20.154 (WGS84) UTM: 13R E 661667 N 3239392 Buck Trail Kentucky: Menifee Cnty by Weedhopper [profile] N 37° 48.096 W 083° 37.998 (WGS84) UTM: 17S E 268161 N 4187069 Our Favorite Li'l Bridge Kentucky: Menifee Cnty by The Li'l Bears [profile] User's Web Page N 37° 49.130 W 083° 34.750 (WGS84) UTM: 17S E 272981 N 4188849 Janus' Li'l Vacation Home Kentucky: Powell County by The Li'l Bears [profile] User's Web Page N 37° 49.621 W 083° 50.455 (WGS84) UTM: 17S E 249965 N 4190426 Pinch 'Em Tight Kentucky: Menifee/Powell Cnties by Weedhopper [profile] N 37° 48.630 W 083° 38.684 (WGS84) UTM: 17S E 267183 N 4188085 St. Louis Arch Virtual Cache by bjbest and Big Jimmy [profile] N 38° 37.501 W 090° 11.085 (WGS84) UTM: 15S E 745081 N 4278926 Horse-Shoe Hill Michigan: Manistee Cnty by SomeThingAboutMary [profile] N 44° 19.858 W 085° 50.847 (WGS84) UTM: 16T E 591890 N 4909280 Natural George Missouri: near Kansas City ? Cnty? by Recre8 [profile] N 39° 05.254 W 094° 21.525 (WGS84) UTM: 15S E 382486 N 4327373 Platte River Run Nebraska: Buffalo Cnty by Rocknroll [profile] N 40° 39.648 W 098° 59.333 (WGS84) UTM: 14T E 500940 N 4501104 One Specific Place Nebraska: Douglas Cnty by redd [profile] User's Web Page N 41° 14.717 W 096° 04.212 (WGS84) UTM: 14T E 745499 N 4570127 The NWern most cache in the continental US! Washington: Clallam Cnty This is literally on the West Coast and may be difficult to find. by fooshfoosh and family [profile] N 48° 23.154 W 124° 43.603 (WGS84) UTM: 10U E 372160 N 5360633 Strange Waters Oregon: Marion Cnty. by 7Bicks [profile] N 44° 45.935 W 121° 47.771 (WGS84) UTM: 10T E 595265 N 4957615 Walker Hole California: Del Norte Cnty ? near the coast ? may be difficult by Seesthewind & Redwoodmama [profile] N 41° 49.995 W 124° 06.974 (WGS84) UTM: 10T E 407315 N 4631865 Have Fun Storming the Castle! Oregon: Jefferson Cnty by Zzzoey, illDRIVEuNav & DrNOitall [profile] N 44° 38.710 W 121° 34.342 (WGS84) UTM: 10T E 613212 N 4944525 Mosier Tunnels Re-Revisited Oregon: Hood River Cnty by Two Geo Sisters [profile] N 45° 41.284 W 121° 26.432 (WGS84) UTM: 10T E 621430 N 5060573 Some Gave All Massachusetts: Berkshire Cnty ? close to the coast ? maybe unmappable by Planet/the Bryno [profile] N 42° 38.405 W 073° 09.846 (WGS84) UTM: 18T E 650514 N 4722482 Swamp Thing New York: Putnam Cnty. by Tree Frogs [profile] N 41° 30.457 W 073° 35.967 (WGS84) UTM: 18T E 616882 N 4596057 Bull Hill Junction New York: Putnam Cnty. by eagleflyby [profile] N 41° 26.598 W 073° 57.104 (WGS84) UTM: 18T E 587568 N 4588500 Top Of Vermont Vermont: Bennington Cnty by DX Hunter [profile] N 43° 09.950 W 073° 06.964 (WGS84) UTM: 18T E 653145 N 4780953 Mt Monadnock New Hampshire: Chesire Cnty. by StripedMoose [profile] N 42° 51.703 W 072° 06.552 (WGS84) UTM: 18T E 736160 N 4749513 Dune Massachusetts: Barnstable Cnty Hard to find due to being on the tip of Cape Cod by hbruner [profile] N 42° 04.564 W 070° 09.765 (WGS84) UTM: 19T E 403818 N 4658876 Howard Creek Cache Montana: Missoula Cnty by Gregg & Soren Schonbachler (Macduff) [profile] N 46° 46.329 W 114° 26.550 (WGS84) UTM: 11T E 695257 N 5183021 Virtual Asgaard New York: Essex Cnty by Sirius Black of the Adirondacks [profile] User's Web Page N 44° 25.528 W 073° 40.109 (WGS84) UTM: 18T E 605988 N 4919992 Mr. Whiteface New York: Essex Cnty by Justin of Team Slacker and Trillian [profile] N 44° 22.324 W 073° 53.463 (WGS84) UTM: 18T E 588352 N 4913797 One for the Loafers Maine: Franklin Cnty by geomaineiacs [profile] N 45° 02.084 W 070° 19.126 (WGS84) UTM: 19T E 396124 N 4987655 Monhegan Magic This is an island off the coast of Maine ? maybe un-mapable. Looks like fun, though. by Anderson [profile] N 43° 45.910 W 069° 18.977 (WGS84) UTM: 19T E 474542 N 4845840 Look! Up in the Sky! It's a Bird! Rhode Island: Washington Cnty Near the coast ? maybe unmappable by Planet [profile] User's Web Page N 41° 22.329 W 071° 35.214 (WGS84) UTM: 19T E 283657 N 4583300 Secondary Importance Fitchburg Furnace Virtual Cache by KYtrex [profile] User's Web Page N 37° 43.987 W 083° 51.158 (WGS84) UTM: 17S E 248615 N 4180036 Thanks again, voltaire -- Quote Link to comment
+bumblingbs Posted May 25, 2004 Share Posted May 25, 2004 (edited) Sounds like a great trip! Edited for~ Never mind, rant over. I think that a cross country trip where you seek out caches that have the ability to move you sounds wonderful. Edited May 25, 2004 by bumblingbs Quote Link to comment
voltaire Posted June 27, 2004 Author Share Posted June 27, 2004 Hi Folks Just an update: I'm on the road now for six days, right now hanging out at Java Joe's in Santa Fe, just before heading into Texas for my first sublime site sighting. I couldn't help stopping in at Zion Nt'l Park and Monument Valley on the way - hope you can check these places out if you haven't. Mostly the weather has been good, ranging from hot to very hot, but I have run into some thunderstorms here in New Mexico - the accompanying wind is havoc for me on my motorcycle. That's it for now - I can't wait to see the Texas sites. voltaire Quote Link to comment
voltaire Posted August 2, 2004 Author Share Posted August 2, 2004 Just a quick update: I'm still here, in Maine, stuck cause I've been working on my bike. I've had to rebuild the top end(s) due to a bad part installation. I had intended to head out towards Michigan almost two weeks ago, but I ran into mechanical problems. Fortunately I was staying with my sister when the proverbial fan was splattered. I'm hoping to get the bike running today, allowing me to leave tomorrow. I've visited two sites up here in Maine. I highly recommend One For The Loafers - strenuous summertime hike, but the view is a payoff. I'm hoping the ride back to the west coast is a smooth, trouble-free one. voltaire Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.