Geocache360.com

I just recently posted a quick note about my last hunt for Guana Quest (GCC281). It turned out to be a great hike but led to a dead end trail. Although I'm very careful to claim that a cache is no longer at its designated spot, I do think that the stage 1 cache is MIA.

After reading a few posts from previous cachers, I realized that the last find was in November 2007, just about 6 months ago. I sent an email to the cache owner (it's been a week now since the email) and I've not heard back from them.

I'm a little dissapointed because this is such a great cache (5 stages) that I'd hate to think the owners have given up and abandoned their cache. I'd love to adopt the cache but without any contact from the owners I think that it would be a bad idea to take it over without their permission.

However, if you're local to the Ponte Vedra/St. Augustine, FL area don't pass this cache up. Although you may not find the cache, the actual hike is well worth it. It's great scenery and a good way to stretch your legs (some will recommend bikes or horses, I say hike it you won't be dissapointed).

 

Good Hunting

Michael

One of the best things about geocaching is the fact that a cache may seem easy to find only to elude discovery. Yesterday my father and I decided to take on a multi-stage cache at Guana River State Park just off the Atlantic. I was pretty excited about this cache because it was rated as a favorite in the state of Florida. Unlike other hunts, this geocache required some hiking so it was more than just a quick grab and sign.

Upon starting the hike, I mentioned to my father that the caches would probably be easy to find. The multi-stage cache was set up to take a person throughout the park, which at the end of stage five would be about 10 miles. Walking the fist leg my gpsr showed it about 2.5 miles off, so more than enough time to enjoy the walk and scenery. The trails were well marked and kept with markers every mile or so to display our location. We did come across a post for a geodedic marker that was supposed to be somewhere around. Couldn't find it after 10 minutes of looking so we kept on moving.

As we reached stage 1 we were right up against the intercostal with just a small amount of wooded land between the trail and water. We both spread out and started looking for an ammo can. If you've ever hunted geocaches in Flordia you'll know that many caches are hidden by palm leaves (called Florida style). Thinking this was going to be easy, we started flipping over mounds of palm leaves but couldn't find anything. Using our geocache senses we began looking up in the trees, in dense packed thickets, but to no avail. The tide was out, so we even considered that the ammo can may be hidden among the oyster beds but that didn't shake out. After numerous consults with the gpsr and my compass, we still couldn't find it. After 90 minutes of looking (and picking ticks off ourselves) we gave up and started walking back. The entire hike back consisted of talking about not finding the ammo can, second guessing ourselves and what the first clue meant (Search the Living....could that be more cryptic?).

So, after 4 hours of searching for stage 1 (meaning no way we could move on to stage 2) we did what we do best in our family. Grab a cold beer at a local resturaunt on the water and sit back and bitch. A cold Sam Adams helps lessen the pain of not finding a cache.

After my father dropped me off at my house, I went back to geocaching.com to look at the cache's page again. The last entry was way back in November of 2007, almost 6 months had passed sense anyone else had try to find it. It occurred to me that maybe this cache had actually dissappeared (taken by muggles who didn't know what it was or wanted the ammo can). Although I don't think this actually happens often, it seemed probable that this could be the case. I decided to contact the geocache owner and asked them to verify if the cache was still there (part of me hopes it isn't. If it is then my father and I are really bad at this). Waiting to hear back from the owner but in the meantime I'm going to log it.

Good Hunting

Michael

Well, the new cache is hidden. Started out a little rocky as my Garmin 60cs would not lock onto a satellite. No matter where I moved it wouldn't lock, eventually had to get back into the car and drive a little before getting a location.

This is only my second cache I've hidden, my first is a fairly obvious one that is great for easy finds, first-timers and kids. This one I made a little tougher due mostly to the terrain. Between the thick underbrush and a small ravine (sometimes dry, sometimes not so dry), I think other geocachers are going to like it. I put a first to find card in as part of the swag. It's nice to have some validation that you were the first one to find a cache, besides logging it in the book.

Unlike previous hunts where I usually attempt to avoid snakes, I decided to go looking for some on the way out of the area. This was definently a place for cottonmouth and thought I'd come across one. No such luck, so no pictures (up close and personal), although I think my father was relieved we didn't come across any.

I just posted the new cache on geocaching.com and hopefully it will be reviewed within the next day or two.

Good hunting - Michael

(Now proud owner of two hidden caches)

It's just after midnight and I decided to check youtube for the latest videos about geocaching. Came across one that says it is a documentary. Watched it and it seemed pretty good for the minute or so preview. It was a lead in to a 30 minute documentary about geoaching, the website is shown at the end of the preview. Enjoy!

 

No finds for me this weekend, but that's okay. It was one of those weekends where time just wouldn't allow for a quick hunt. Instead, though, I was able to scout out a new location for my second cache hide. Although I'd rather be looking for hidden caches, I decided that there was a spot not too far from my location that was devoid of hidden caches. On the way to run errands with my wife, I managed to talk her into driving to the spot I wanted to scout. Funny thing is that it followed a desolate road into the woods, way off the main highway. I think my wife was convinced I was simply out there to kill her, she kept giving me that nervous look. After confirming that it was a great spot for a cache (and not killing my wife), I'll be coming back on Tuesday to place the cache and post to geocaching.com. Maybe after the hide I'll plan a few finds for later in the day.

 

Good Hunting - Michael

Ever wondered how many FTFs you had? Want to know the average number of days between found caches or perhaps what your most difficult rating was for finding a cache? CacheStats will tell you all that and more.

I came across this while viewing a profile on geocaching.com. At the bottom of the page was a compilation of more data about this guy's finds that I may have wanted to know. I followed the link to the cachestats website and decided to download it and give it a try.

The disclaimer says that the programs should be run on Windows 98 or higher. I downloaded to my XP computer with no problems. At this point I haven't tried it on my Vista computer, so I can't say if it will give you any problems. The download went smooth and set up took no time at all. Directions were straightforward and explained how to retrieve my info from geocaching.com. The result was an overwhelming amount of info that I never thought to ask but was very interesting.

If you're the type that likes to "break down the numbers" this is a great program. I highly recommend this program to anyone who wants a little more info about cache habits. Remember, the program is free to download and use but if you like it, make sure to go back to the site and click on the paypal donate button. You don't often see stuff like this and cachers should support the community.

If you've been geocaching awhile, you know that caches hidden in urban areas can be difficult with muggles around. You always worry about blending in while looking for a cache, not trying to draw any attention to yourself. Of course, that gpsr in your hand tends to draw a look or two.

I just recently purchased a Garmin 60CS. I was ready to upgrade and this seemed like the unit for me. Couldn't be happier with this unit, it was everything I asked for. One thing that I discovered very quickly is how easy it was to make it my phone. Huh? If you're a owner of a 60CS you're probably wondering what phone is this guy talking about it. Okay, I confess, there really isn't a phone but it sure looks like one. So, while I'm out in a high traffic area and someone walks by I just hold the gpsr up to my ear and pretend like I'm talking to someone. No looks, no questioning stares at what I'm holding. Perfect. Ha, this may be the best part of the 60CS.

Good Hunting - Michael

Finding a cache is an experience. Finding a cache and learning some historical information makes it even better. Some cache owners like to enhance a find by giving you background information on the area where their cache is located. Today was one of those days when I learned a little more about an otherwise dull, lifeless piece of land.  The Travelers Travel Bug Depot (Thanks Jester), was one of the coolest finds for me because I drive by this area often and have never realized what used to be there.

Not too far into the woods, I came across an old motel sign that was practically hidden from the road. No idea how old it was but it has seen better days (see pics). It's funny but I never would have thought that an old motel sat there years ago. Of course, after taking a few pics, I had to actually find the hidden cache. Not a difficult find, seemed to be in the obvious spot to hide a cache.

3 for 3 today, not bad.
Good Hunting - Michael

Busy weekend which left me no time to go out and look for a geocache or two. The bright spot of the weekend was the arrival from groundspeak. I had ordered two more travel bugs although I haven't decided their mission just yet. The other item was my geocache baseball cap. My wife always gives me that look when we find a package from groundspeak at our front door. Usually the first words out of her mouth are, "What did you order now?"

Good Hunting
Michael