Are y'all ready?

So, I had a few evil ideas back a few weeks ago.. Since then they've gotten even evil-er (if that's a word)!  Thanks will have to go to Lulu5678 for this one:

Hide the cache (an ammo box) way up in da tree.  But lock it!  On the outside of the box have a set of coordinates that will of course send the cacher back down the tree to find the combination for the lock...then back up the tree to unlock & sign the cache log!  I like that one!

So...get ready, they're coming.  I've restocked my supply of ammo boxes, got plenty of rope & even some new colors of spray paint that I may or may not try out.  I've also been scouting for cache-likely trees.  I've spotted one that will work very nicely I do believe...just have to decide what version of evil to use???

Geo-Tats

Went and got tat#2 last night.

I had the first one done in August.  This is it:

This is what I took to go from last night...

...and this is what I got:

I think he did a pretty good job.

Evil ideas...

Inspired by GCZZQN: GOLFNUTZ, A cache by ALOFT23


Today's little caching trip was definitely an adventure. Even though it wasn't a high-powered trip...didn't have a lot of finds, a couple of them were memorable to say the least.

I had originally planned on going to Atlanta to tackle the new little series that Ashleyhikes has out. I had originally planned on going after them Tuesday, but the rain put it on hold.

How I wound up in Naples & Mt. Pleasant today is a long (& most likely boring) story, but needless to say, I didn't make it to Atlanta/QC again. It's okay, I have it on the slate again for tomorrow.

After playing with MapSource & thenaturenurd's new GPS (which is really neat-O by the way) for a while, we went out to do some caching. We checked on & replaced a couple of schmelmo's caches & the first few after that weren't anything out of the ordinary. Of course, not being out of the ordinary is not a bad thing...it makes the cache-trip fairly quick & easy...which is great for my find count. But then things started to get interesting.



What did I learn today?

I learned that even with a bad knee, I can still climb trees.




You see that little red circle up there?
Well, that's the cache!

You see that big tall tree?
Well, that's what was between us & the cache!


Every now & then I manage to find a brave soul that isn't completely terrified to ride while I’m driving. (In my defense, neither of the collisions that I've been a part of were my fault. And even though I've had 3 vehicles that wound up totaled, none of them resulted in any injury.) Today thenaturenurd was that brave soul...we don't get to cache together much anymore since he moved to Naples.

After having surgery on my knee back in August, I expected it to be better. And it is...that pre-surgery condition is now gone. However, new problems have surfaced since then. I have graduated to a hinged knee brace now rather than the full leg brace & crutches, but it's definitely not 100%.

Spotting the cache was easy. From the description & the past few logs I had a pretty good idea about what (or rather where) I was going to find. And yup, you guessed it...Sparkle Dirt made her way up the tree.





But I am glad thenaturenurd was with me because when I dropped the lid, he was kind enough to hand it to me & that sure as heck beat climbing back down to get the lid & climbing back up there to put everything back together. And without him with me today, who would have documented this little achievement?

All the way up the tree I was wondering how ALOFT23 got this cache way up here & if he was really the one who put this way up here.. I’ve never really pictured him as the tree-climbing kind. Okay, so I don’t know what the tree-climbing kind is, but before this cache I definitely wouldn’t have put him in that group. I couldn’t help but chuckle a little bit to myself as I imagined him climbing this tree. I would have loved to have been there to see that. After chit-chatting with normasgirl & ALOFT23 this evening, I now know that he did climb this tree & has done so 3 times now…and to think I missed it every time!



But this little adventure got those little gears in my noggin a churnin’. Oh the things I could do to make this even more evil!

Idea #1:
Hide a little cache way up in a tree…way up as in as far as I can climb & then a little bit more. Use that as the 1st part of a surprise-multi. The coordinates retrieved after climbing the tree would then send the tree-climbing-cacher to the “real” cache that would of course be located on the ground & be extremely easy to find.

But then I thought some more…

Idea #2:
Same thing about hiding the cache way up in the tree…but instead of it being a little cache, make it a big cache so that it’s so easy to spot that it seems too easy…maybe even paint it a fluorescent color to really make it stand out. That way the un-suspecting cacher is pretty much certain that once they manage to climb the tree that they’ve got it under control. But, have the container taped or glued shut & just have the coordinates to the easy to access ground level micro cache written on the top of the container.

But then I thought some more…

Idea #3:
Same thing about hiding the cache way up in the tree…let it be a little one. Inside of course there’ll be new coordinates…but this time instead of the new coordinates taking the cacher to the “real” cache they just go to another tree cache. This next tree cache could be a big easy to spot, possibly brightly colored container, of course to give the impression of the “real” cache. After climbing up this 2nd tree, I’m sure they’ll be impressed to find yet another set of coordinates. Won’t they be glad to find the “real” cache at ground level right back around the tree they climbed to begin with?

But then I thought some more…

Idea #4:
Little different spin on the idea…make the cache easy to find & on the ground with new coordinates pointing to the tree-cache? Wouldn’t really matter if it was a container with the new coordinates inside of it or if it was a decoy container that wouldn’t even open…could work both ways.

But then I thought some more…

Idea #5:
Why not have a series of tree caches? Why not have the tree-cache series include a combination of all of these ideas (except for the cache starting on the ground), along with some that are just 1 tree caches? Somewhere in the middle of the tree-cache series, why not throw a curve ball in there & have one hidden on the ground to start with – with no tree climbing necessary? After a handful of trees climbed, wouldn’t it be tough to “not” look up for the cache?

But then I thought some more…

Where am I going to find all these trees? What kind of containers should I use? I could always hide one of my acorn caches way up in a tree! (That’d be a leap of faith to go after that hide…can’t see it, but climb for it anyways!)

The gears are still churnin’ & you can pretty much bet on some of these to pop up somewhere sometime.

Vicksburg National Military Park

Vicksburg National Military Park, November 8, 2008

Cachin' with the Kiddos

I love to take my kids out caching with me. It's a great way to get them outside & doing something besides vegging out in front of the idiot box. (yeah, so I'm not a big fan of tv.) They learn about nature, taking care of our planet, see things that they normally wouldn't & a ton of other things that are surely good things that just don't pop in my head at this moment.

Kids love to feel like they're a part of everything. They aren't usually content with just watching or following, so when they feel like they're an important part of the team, they have more fun. When the kids have fun, it's easier for everybody to have fun.

Here are a few geo-jobs for kiddo cachers:

1. The Director
   The top & ultimate job for a geo-kid! They are the GPS Keeper & their job is to direct the team to the cache...which way & how far.
2. The Tourist
   They're like the film crew. Give them a camera & let them document the hunt & the find. A digital camera comes in handy here because kids love to take pictures & not all of them all of them really turn out. Later on when you take a look at what they've shot, just delete the pictures of feet & whatever & keep the good stuff.
3. The Author
   It's a lot easier to let one person do the writing. Let this one sign the cache log & write the notes to log online later. Carry a notebook with you & after making the find, they can jot down any notes they think are relavent while you're on the way to the next cache.
4. The Watch Dog
   Kids can be very good distractions when muggles are present. This job includes watching out for muggles as well as distracting them if necessary.
5. The Information Clerk
   Depending on how you carry cache information, this kid is the keeper of it. If you carry printed sheets, carry a laptop, or use a PDA organizer, this kid is the keeper of it. It is their job to give details about the cache & hints when needed.

If you don't have enough kids for jobs, combine them or pick the ones you want to use.

If you have more kids than jobs, make up additional jobs or double them up on some jobs (several tourists or watch dogs).

If they don't want a "set" job, rotate the jobs out with each cache so everybody gets to do everything.

Safe to Solo?

I usually wind up caching by myself. I'm not complaining - I'm hard-headed, stubborn & like doing things my way & when I want to. Solo caching allows me to be this way. About every other weekend I get to go out caching with the whole Sparkle Crew which is usually a blast as well, but during the week when they're all busy at work or school it's just me.

Most of the caches I would consider to be 'Safe to Solo' others wouldn't. I seem to think a little backwards on this. The BFE caches that are out in the middle of absolutely nowhere are my favorite - and these are the ones I usually see logs saying that they wouldn't want to be there alone. The caches that are hidden in town or close to lots of civilization are the ones that I usually wish I had company along with me. I guess it's a strange sort of safety in numbers thing???

So, if anybody has some free weekday time & wants to go out caching, there are a handful of nearby caches (most in the Marshall area) that I'd love to have a cache-partner to go with me.

Logs to make you laugh...

Here are a few logs from Marshall area caches that should at the least give you a chuckle or two...



Is this a compliment?

Oh, you're a sneaky, devious, twisted, cruel, wonderful lady.

Just plain funny:

Have you ever played the Fortune Cookie game at a Chinese restaurant? Try
playing it with geocaching phrases! Like this:

I had to look real hard, but I found it! (in bed)
I got a smiley! (in bed)
I took nothing, left nothing! (in bed)
He found it before I did! (in bed)

Now make up your own!

I wonder how ng would rate my dirt road caches using this scale??? I think I may need to make my own Shoe Compatibility Rating Scale (SCRS).

This cache is rated a ONE on the Non-Sensible Shoes Compatibility Scale! Not
familiar with the NSSCS? Here's the poop:

1 - These shoes son't go off the sidewalk, buster.
2 - I'm willing to wear these shoes off the sidewalk, but it better not be FAR off
and there better not be any rocks!
3 - What's a little mud? My office expects this of me.
4 - I carry tennis shoes in my car for this very purpose.
5 - High heels are for girly girls. These shoes go EVERYWHERE!

Feel free to adopt this scale for your own caches and watch for my Officewear
Compatibility Scale coming soon!

Sneaky & Tricky Containers

When placing caches, the sneakier & trickier the container the better you feel about the cache. Here are a few ideas that I've found. Yep, y'all never know what to expect, do ya?



1. Can you see this one? It's right there in plain sight! Come on...look harder...

Here's a hint:

And for even greater diversity...more of the same idea...

2. I've got my own variation of this one that I just finished up the "testing" phase with. I won't just give it away, but it's something similar. It'll be out there soon.

As it may be easy to spot here in this picture, think about trying to spot it out there in the "wild" when your field of vision encompasses quite a bit more to see.

3. Last on today's list & certainly the most noticeable is this guy! While I do think it would be the easiest to spot out of these few, I'm not sure if it would actually be the one that gets found the most. ...not real sure if many would decide to reach in & grab him as opposed to turning & skeedaddling away from him.

Caching with Crutches

Okay...so I usually opt to leave the crutches at home or in the truck. But the title: Caching while in a Leg Brace just wasn't as catchy.

Of course, I've still been out caching. One thing I've noticed is how the terrain ratings I assigned to those caches I assisted with last weekend & that I've placed since are most likely a little higher than most people (with good knees) would consider them to be. (Especially the few that "I" had to climb things in order to place.) Have you ever tried to scale a small cliff or rock embankment with your leg in a full brace? It definitely increases the difficulty & I'm pretty sure it increases the laughability as well for those that were watching!

I'm sure that having crutches while caching "can" work out to be an advantage...here's what I've came up with so far:

I have increased reach capabilities. (...of course, this sometimes requires "knocking" the cache out of it's hiding spot & then the tricky part is getting it back there.)

I have a good "poking stick" right at my fingertips.

I have a good excuse to walk slowly (while I look for the cache).

I can blame the crutches when the kids find the cache first.

I can blame the crutches when I don't find the cache at all.

The things we go through...

Inspired by GC15DZP, Lost and almost forgotten, A cache by abby220

Every once & a while I run across something that makes me laugh. This log entry did just that:

THIS IS A WILD ONE HERE, WE FOUND THE CEMETERY SIGNED THE GUEST REG, IN THE MAIL BOX JUST INSIDE THE GATE AND FOUND THE CACHE SIGNED THE LOG THEN LEFT TO GO TO THE CUSSETTA MOUNTAIN CEMETERY WHICH SHOWED VERY CLOSE TO THIS ONE IT WAS ABOUT 5:30PM AND I HAD TO HAVE JUST ONE MORE I TURNED UP THE NEXT ROAD I THOUGHT WAS A ROAD ,MRS GREAT SAID IT WASN'T A ROAD WHAT DOES SHE KNOW? AFTER TRAVELING ABOUT A MILE IN WHAT WAS NOT A ROAD BUT A LOG SKIDDERS PATH(TOLD MRS.GREAT THAT EARLIER) I TRIED TO TURN AROUND WENT OVER A BERM AND HIGH CENTERED FRONT OF FRAME ON A STUMP, ARE WE HAVING FUN YET, SO NOT TO LOOK LIKE A FOOL I JACKED UP TRUCK TRIED TO GET OFF STUMP TO NO AVAIL, NOW ITS DARK FORGOT TO PUT FLASHLIGHT IN TRUCK, FINALLY SWALLOWED MY PRIDE CALLED A FRIEND WHO LIVES IN A TOWN ABOUT 5 MILES FROM MY FUBAR,HE HAD A DEER LEASE ABOUT 3 MILES FROM MY LOCATION, TALKED TO HIM TILL HE FOUND ME THIS IS ABOUT 6:30PM HE WENT HOME GOT HIS TRACTOR I RODE A MILE IN WITH HIM ON FENDER ONLY 1000 SMALL FORD DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TRACTOR TO GET ME OFF, SO CALLED WRECKER ABOUT 8:30 RODE A MILE BACK TO ROAD ON FENDERWAITED ON WRECKER LEFT MRS.GREAT AT HOUSE WITH FRIENDS WIFE(BEST THING TO DO CAUSE IM TOAST WITH HER)WRECKER GETS THERE WE GO IN PULLS ME OFF STUMP AND GUESS WHAT?A FLAT ON RIGHT REAR SIDE I HAD BEEN SPINNING IN SAND TRING TO GET OUT FANCY THAT. WRECKER DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH ROOM TO PULL AROUND ME TO LIFT MEUP TO CHANGE TIRE, I HAD NOT MADE A SMART DECISION SINCE ABOUT 5:30 PM BUT I MADE ONE THENI DROVE ON FLAT TIRE VTO HARD GROUND AND CHANGED FLAT THIS IS NOW ABOUT 12:00AM THANKE3D WRECKER GUY HUGGED MY FRIEND AND DROVE HOME SO I COULD GET UP AND DRIVE TO PARIS TEX. AT 6:00AM FOR SURGERY , WAS SUPPOSE TO RELAX THIS DAY BEFORE SUGERY CAUSE MY BLOOD PRESSURE HAD BEEN SKY HIGH, GUESS WHOSES BLOOD PRESSURE GOT HIGHER THAN MINE ASK MRS.GREAT.:(

Ahh...the things we go through in the name of geocaching!

I don't know for sure, but I'm fairly certain that this WAS NOT funny at the time but reading about somebody else's geo-blunders is always more comical than living your own.

Cache Stats

There are a lot of stat compilers available. These programs generate HTML that can be pasted into your geocaching profile to display your stats. I have not tried them all. In fact, I have only tried a few of them. That being said, just because I don't mention it here, does not mean that it is any better or worse than the ones I have mentioned. Use what works for you.

At the time of this entry, I currently have 2 different sets of HTML displaying on my geocaching profile: the Geocaching Rank Stat Bar & CacheStats.


Click to view my geocaching profile.
This is generated by the geocaching.com website. (Yeah, you'll most likely have to log in.)

1. Geocaching Rank Stat Bar
   Online based, no download required
   (http://www.drunners.de/cachestats/registration_eng.php)
   
   
   
   I can display that here because it is small & simple.
   
   This little stat bar displays your current rank in a number of different configurations. All you have to do is to enter your geocaching name into a form & select the display options you want to show on the stat bar. Once you submit that information, you will get a code to insert into your profile. It costs nothing & is automatically updated twice a week.
   
   The stat bars I have displayed above demonstrate 2 different configurations. It requires 2 submissions through the online form, giving you 2 sets of HTML to insert into your profile.
   
   A cool thing about this one is that you can enter anybody's geocaching name into the form & find out their rank as well.
   
   
   
2. Cache Stats
   Stand-alone program, download required
   (http://www.logicweave.com/cachestats.html)
   
   A little more complicated & a lot more detail. Geocaching.com allows a My Finds Pocket Query to be run once every 7 days. This file is then imported to the CacheStats program & you can then generate the HTML to paste into your geocaching profile. The LogicWeave website & the CacheStats program both explain the "how's" much better than I could so I'll leave that to them.
   
   This one can be set to display a lot of different options. You can chose to display milestone achievements & customize the setp value, specify FTF caches & display a map of where you've cached - with other options as well. Once you learn the nuts and bolts, it is very easy to work with.
   
   
   
3. It's Not About the Numbers
   Online based, no download required
   (http://www.itsnotaboutthenumbers.com)
   
   This allows you to generate HTML to paste into your geocaching profile as well as a multitude of other neat things. One thing really interesting is the Cacher list that allows you to view the stats of other geocachers that have uploaded their stats & not selected the option to make them provate.
   
   
   

Yes, these are only 3 out of many, but if you don't like these you are more than welcome to find something else. I'm not stopping you & I'm not saying the other things out there aren't better...I just haven't tried them!

=)

Cemetery Cache Cover Story

Inspired by GC18175: Once was Deadly, A cache by Fire2Water

Many caches are hidden in cemeteries. Some argue as to whether this should be allowed or not, but I am in agreement with allowing caches to be hidden in a cemetery. A lot of times these places and the people who are residents thereof seem to be forgotten. Hiding caches in these places does no harm & when geocachers practice CITO, the areas are often improved.

Sometimes you get blindsided & muggles seem to come out of nowhere. What are you supposed to do when the little old blue haired lady comes up and wants to know why you're snooping around her daddy's grave? Sadly, many old cemeteries are victims of vandals. As a result of the vandalism, some people "watch" these places & come to "investigate" when visitors stop by.

It's not always easy to explain to somebody why you're snooping around. Telling them that you're looking for a hidden tupperware container just doesn't always seem like the best option. Sure, they may understand & allow you to continue your search. However, they may think you're up to no good & tell you to be on your way. And regardless of what they tell you, they may keep an eye on you & remove the cache after watching you find it.

So...you need a good cover story. And for a cemetery cache...I've got you one.

There is another "hobby" that fits nicely when you need a good cover story at a cemetery cache: cemetery transcription. If you carry a camera geocaching along with you, you've got all you need to make it work. Even if you don't carry a camera, a small notebook will work just as well for your cover story prop. Even your GPS will be easy to add into the equation.

Find-A-Grave.com (http://www.findagrave.com/) is a resource for finding the final resting place of family, friends and famous people. Many of the cemeteries list GPS coordinates as well in oprder to help others interested in visiting. It is an invaluable tool for the genealogist and family history buff.

You can easily appease most cemetery muggles by claiming to be working on such a project. They'll most likely be more than happy to let you get back to your task. Of course, you might want to actually take a few pictures or jot down a few notes to make it work.

What is this?

Have you ever wanted to tell somebody else about ideas you have while out caching or while logging your finds for the day? I have. True, some of them were most likley better off not being told, but I'm sure that at least a couple were actually good ideas.

I created this blog to jot down some of those ideas. It is all a work in progress and I don't know exactly what all will make it's way into here, but I'm excited to start working on it.

If you like my ideas, leave a comment to let me know...if you don't like my ideas, that's fine. Take what you want with you out caching & leave the rest behind. The point is to have fun with it.

If you have ideas of your own, have questions or just have something you'd like to see me work on, let me know.