My First Find

[+Recdiver]

Since I never seem to have the time to cache after work I decided to try one near work on my lunch break, instead of eating my lunch at my desk yet again.

Anyway I found Newcastle Beach GCG4P9. It has a real nice park that I didn't know was even there and I've worked in the area over 6 years. It turned out to be real easy however I had looked at the spoiler photo earlier in the day and that helped. Real nice sunny day with a cool breeze blowing off the lake. <sigh> was sorry to leave which may be a downside to caching on the lunch break. My new resolution is to try to find a cache at lunch, when I get to take a lunch.

Question - How do you carry your GPSr? I used it on a lanyard around my neck, however this seems really obvious. I just don't know if carrying it in my hand would be any less conspicuous. I mean I was already getting the eye from some of the moms and grandmas with pre-schoolers in the park. Large white mature male wandering around amongst the kiddies why would that be suspicious.

[+klossner]

Put your cache printout on a clipboard. Hold the GPSr in plain sight. Refer to both frequently. Anybody with a clipboard and an instrument must be on official business. Extra points if you wear an orange vest.

 

Other techniques I've found useful:

• When at the cache site looking for the container, if muggles come near, look up at the treetops. Bird watchers are harmless.
  
• Put the GPSr to your ear and talk into it.
  

[+Allanon]

Question - How do you carry your GPSr? I used it on a lanyard around my neck, however this seems really obvious. I just don't know if carrying it in my hand would be any less conspicuous. I mean I was already getting the eye from some of the moms and grandmas with pre-schoolers in the park. Large white mature male wandering around amongst the kiddies why would that be suspicious.

 

I just carry mine in my hand usually. It is easier for me and if I need/want to I can always slip it into my pocket.

 

And I know what you mean about 'getting the eye', and wandering around as a single male in a park full of kids. It's getting easier, but it still bugs me. I just try to make it look like I'm out on a walk and try not to stare at or even look at other people. Some people do go 'undercover' as klossner suggests, but I always thought I'd stick out more then...shudders that the thought of all that orange...lol...

 

Congrats on the first of many, many finds!!

[+Recdiver]

Thanks and I can see how this can become addictive. I forgot about the clipboard ploy, that’s how I made it through my years in the Navy. Carry a clipboard with a maintenance form attached, walk briskly whenever some in authority was watching & look serious till you ducked around the first corner.

Allanon - what's your schedule looking like this weekend? Or don't you cache in the rain?

[+Kenr74]

I mean I was already getting the eye from some of the moms and grandmas with pre-schoolers in the park. Large white mature male wandering around amongst the kiddies why would that be suspicious.

Been there!! Last time I went out alone somebody actually watched me and then took my picture. I always try to drag my girlfriend along when I know there will be muggles nearby. At least then I'm not the only person walking around in circles. I have found that holding it up to your head works though to avoid being obvious.

[+Allanon]

Oh, carrying a camera helps too...as long as you're not taking pictures of people or houses or anything...

 

Rain? I'd prefer not to get totally, soaking wet, but as for schedule...it's pretty open. I start a week's long vacation tomorrow afternoon at 2:00, so I'm probably available.

[+willcall]

Doggies -- the smaller the better. Dragging an offspring along is even better. In emergencies, coffee cups also help. Talking into the GPSr is sometimes helpful, but needs to be carried off well, or you just look like a bigger nutcase.

 

The worst is stumbling out of brush after rehiding a cache, and then being surprised by (and surprising) a lone walking/jogging woman. I did that with a Bellevue cache once, tried to explain myself, then made the mistake of offering to show her the hide (yeah, right - just look into the bushes here and...). She said "that's alright" and walked away real fast. I walked the other way and hoped I could make it to the car before she could dial her cellphone. God I hate it when that happens. At least I haven't had screams or mace yet.

 

Best advice is to just pass, if you think you'll make someone else uncomfortable or risk being suspected of creepy behavior. That's one reason why my total is still so low (besides work and family - )

[+OccidentalErrant]

Since I never seem to have the time to cache after work I decided to try one near work on my lunch break, instead of eating my lunch at my desk yet again.

Anyway I found Newcastle Beach GCG4P9. It has a real nice park that I didn't know was even there and I've worked in the area over 6 years. It turned out to be real easy however I had looked at the spoiler photo earlier in the day and that helped. Real nice sunny day with a cool breeze blowing off the lake. <sigh> was sorry to leave which may be a downside to caching on the lunch break. My new resolution is to try to find a cache at lunch, when I get to take a lunch.

Question - How do you carry your GPSr? I used it on a lanyard around my neck, however this seems really obvious. I just don't know if carrying it in my hand would be any less conspicuous. I mean I was already getting the eye from some of the moms and grandmas with pre-schoolers in the park. Large white mature male wandering around amongst the kiddies why would that be suspicious. 

 

What I would do is to just act naturally. You have a right to be there. If muggles bother you... (other people).. or look at you funny.. just hold your GPSr up to your ear like a cell phone.. The regular citizenry does not have the authority to really challenge you for being in a certain spot.. All they will probably do is call the Police.. If the police respond while you are still there.. just explain what you're doing and show the officer(s) your GPSr... All Police officers should know what a GPSr is... afterall, they use them in their squad cars in most Police Departments..

 

Edit: spelling

Edited March 24, 2005 by OccidentalErrant

[+Kiersolvd]

A couple weeks ago, a WP was at the end of a dock. When I got there, a boat was moored right there by a couple of Sunday picnicers. They were watching me as I started to search and, after a couple minutes, one sympithetically asked if I had to work that day. I explained that I didn't and what I was doing. They got real interested. When I found the WP, they wanted to see it too. A embarrassing moment turned out well. After a year of this, I've learned not to be so self concious.

[+Recdiver]

Has a DNF (Factoria Overlook) at lunch today. I'm pretty sure where it's at however apparently this a a popular spot for the lunch crowd on a sunny day in Bellevue. Did enjoy eating my lunch in the sun, beats sitting at the desk. I'll have to try again on a not so nice day and not at the lunch hour. Oh well that's part of the sport right?

Edited March 24, 2005 by Recdiver

[MarcusArelius]

Well it may be a bit early to start looking for micros. Although this is not one of the harder ones.

[+Recdiver]

I came back to work and looked at the clue and I guessed right about the location, I'll check out again when it's muggle free to see if I'm up to micros.

Thanks for the advice,

Ed

[+LittleBlue]

I agree that as a female (and often with one or two children along), I'm not nearly as suspicious to people. Caches near playgrounds are especially easy for me (and my kids' favorites!). But I still don't want to attract attention to a hide, so I often do the 'talk to the GPSr' thing. After a while you become a lot less self conscious. For the most part, people could really care less what everyone else is doing. Course, again, I'm female, so others may have different experiences. I've heard a couple of stories about the police being called.

 

The only funny encounter I have had was on a multi cache at a park where the first wp was a sticker under a bench. The couple on the bench just weren't leaving. Since it was just coords and not the cache there, I asked them if they would mind if I looked under the bench. I explained there was a clue for a scavenger hunt under there and they said they didn't think there was anything there. I said I thought there was and would just need a second to check and they said sure and got up. And kept walking away, really quickly! [] I think they thought I had a few screws loose. Probably in large part due to them not being from this country and might never have heard of a scavenger hunt, so I was just a crazy lady who insisted on looking under a bench. I think that's the only time I have scared a muggle!

[+TotemLake]

CITO the area. Anybody carrying a plastic trash bag and picking up litter is immediately ignored.

[+willcall]

Sometimes -- sometimes it just makes you look crazier than ever.

[+Recdiver]

I got this one today. Had a meeting away from the office and hit it on the way back. Only one old man walking his dog so I found it where I thought it might be and signed the log. Unfortunately I left my walking shoes next to the door so I had to take a pass on the next one on my list. There is always next week. And of course this weekend, rain or shine I'm going for a couple near home.

I was wandering throught Target today and found myself thinking that would be an interesting cache box. Or that would be a fun trade item. Sheesh I can see why this is considered addictive.

[+Recdiver]

Snuck in a 3rd one Travel Bug Rest Stop on my way to the grocery store. Okay it was a little out of the way but still...

[+richandsteph]

Our dog is our diversion. Since she is not that well behaved sometimes she is not a great diversion but better than nothing. I know somebody who has one of those orange vests and a clip board and he writes stuff down while looking at the GPS and investigating the surroundings. A couple of good tricks are use the gps as a cell phone or as a camera to make it look a little less odd.

[+WARedBear]

Been there!! Last time I went out alone somebody actually watched me and then took my picture. ph34r.gif I always try to drag my girlfriend along when I know there will be muggles nearby.

 

I don't know about you but I think seeing someone "dragging" their girlfriend around a park is more suspicious than someone walking around with a GPS to their ear....but that is me.

 

OR

 

Maybe the reason they were taking your picture wasn't because you looked suspicious walking around the park with your GPS but maybe because you had your girlfriend in tow...

 

"Seek and you will find..."