Search
Forum Home | Login
MasonM
MasonM
Join Date 01/2004
+45

Geocaching - My First Attempt

July 9, 2007 5:43:09 PM from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
I was reading about geocaching Link and decided that it sounds like fun. It's basically like a scavenger hunt using a GPS. The cache can be anything from a simple container with nothing more than a log inside for you to sign, or it could contain any of a number of things. The rule is if you take something, you also leave something.

As I am killing time here at the truck stop in Vero Beach, FL I did a cache search for anything near these coordinates and found a listing for a cache about a half mile from the truck stop. I punched it into my GPS and started walking. It was located at a Cracker Barrel restaurant and between the GPS reading and the clues I am positive that I know where it was hidden, but there were just too many people around for me to get at it. One of the rules is that you don't want to give away it's position to any onlookers as they might steal it. Sadly I had to log it as a "Did not find".

But on a brighter note, I did find a D.O.T. survey marker that was listed between here and the cache. I was able to log it as found, and was the first to do so. So it was a 50/50 hunting trip.

I can understand why geocaching is so popular around the world. It is a lot of fun going on a treasure hunt. I'll be checking for caches wherever I am stopped for a while. I've also already discover listings for a number of them close to my home so I know what I'll be doing when I get home in a day or two.

I received an email today informing me that my new Garmin GPS was shipped out and should arrive at my house on Wednesday. Cool.
blogging
Locked Post
Search this post
Advanced Search
Subscription Options
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
MasonM
jdkeepsmiling
Join Date 12/2004
0
Reply #1 July 9, 2007 5:52:30 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Glad to see that you had a good first experience. I tend to like the caches that are more remote and require a good hike to get to. Enjoy your new GPS, and geocaching. It is a great activity.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
MasonM
MasonM
Join Date 01/2004
+45
Reply #2 July 9, 2007 6:08:37 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Glad to see that you had a good first experience. I tend to like the caches that are more remote and require a good hike to get to. Enjoy your new GPS, and geocaching. It is a great activity.


I can understand why you would, but I am tied to an 18 wheeler and have a bum hip so I'll just have to find them where I can.

Thanks.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
MasonM
Locamama
Join Date 12/2003
+39
Reply #3 July 9, 2007 6:10:02 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
It sounds like fun. I would like to get a GPS so I could try it. I'll add it to the list of future purchases. My friend goes with her family and it seems like an activity that my boys would enjoy. I think it would be even more fun for you since you are all over the country and can look for them in many different places.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
MasonM
MasonM
Join Date 01/2004
+45
Reply #4 July 9, 2007 6:19:07 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

It sounds like fun. I would like to get a GPS so I could try it. I'll add it to the list of future purchases. My friend goes with her family and it seems like an activity that my boys would enjoy. I think it would be even more fun for you since you are all over the country and can look for them in many different places.


Yeah that's one reason it appeals to me. I want to see how many states I can find them in.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
MasonM
just john
Join Date 10/2004
+19
Reply #5 July 10, 2007 6:19:19 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
I really miss going. We haven't had the time or the energy lately.

Last month I finally let go of some travel bugs that I had in my posession for a year. We got them and then found out my wife was pregnant for triplets. I finally just went for a cache that was close to my office on my lunch break.

There are nine caches (that I haven't found) in walking distance from my office. They are really hard to do at lunch with all of the muggles around and the tall bulidings make getting a signal almost impossible.

I guess the bent will be getting a GPS mount.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
MasonM
Dr Guy
Join Date 09/2004
+129
Reply #6 July 10, 2007 7:57:37 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

with all of the muggles around

Were any of them related to Harry Potter?

I think that is neat as well.  I might get a GPS just to play some.  Good luck on your next hunt.

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
MasonM
MasonM
Join Date 01/2004
+45
Reply #7 July 10, 2007 10:00:56 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

I really miss going. We haven't had the time or the energy lately.



Last month I finally let go of some travel bugs that I had in my posession for a year. We got them and then found out my wife was pregnant for triplets. I finally just went for a cache that was close to my office on my lunch break.



There are nine caches (that I haven't found) in walking distance from my office. They are really hard to do at lunch with all of the muggles around and the tall bulidings make getting a signal almost impossible.



I guess the bent will be getting a GPS mount.


Yeah, too many muggles is why I couldn't get the one at the Cracker Barrel. I do plan to mount a weatherproof GPS on the bent at some point.

I'm going to be getting some travel bugs and maybe some GeoTrucker geocoins some time soon.

Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
MasonM
MasonM
Join Date 01/2004
+45
Reply #8 July 10, 2007 10:02:28 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

with all of the muggles around


Were any of them related to Harry Potter?


I think that is neat as well.  I might get a GPS just to play some.  Good luck on your next hunt.




You should, it's fun. Everyone likes a treasure hunt. I found a site called GeoTruckers that lists truck friendly cache locations (ones that can be got to or near in a big rig). It seems there are a lot of them in rest areas around the country.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
MasonM
Jythier
Join Date 02/2003
+52
Reply #9 July 10, 2007 11:02:26 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
So that's what Geocaching is. I was invited to a family reunion and it mentioned Geocaching, and I was very confused. Now I am less so! But I don't have a GPS, so.

Good job being the first to find something!
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
MasonM
just john
Join Date 10/2004
+19
Reply #10 July 10, 2007 12:28:15 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
I do plan to mount a weatherproof GPS on the bent at some point.


I'm pretty cheap. I refused to buy the $30 mount to put my GPS on my bike. I used one of the refectors with an adjustable mount and broke off the reflective part. I made a mount out of wood with my scroll saw and dremel and attached it to the reflector mount. I put the GPS on it with industrial velcro.

Shortly after I made it, someone stole my bike and I haven't made another one yet.

The Garmin eTrex Legend is weatherproof and pretty acurate. You can usually find it on sale for $100.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
MasonM
Ziggystyles
Join Date 07/2004
0
Reply #11 July 10, 2007 4:46:46 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
Ive been a member of geocaching.com for a while. Although I don't have a GPS. I want to get one though to mount onto the bike...but the cost is the main thing stopping us. I see you got the Iway. Ive heard of some issues with that particular series (iway in general I think)...any problems yet?
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
MasonM
MasonM
Join Date 01/2004
+45
Reply #12 July 10, 2007 6:32:50 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

So that's what Geocaching is. I was invited to a family reunion and it mentioned Geocaching, and I was very confused. Now I am less so! But I don't have a GPS, so.



Good job being the first to find something!


Thanks. It's become quite popular around the world.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
MasonM
MasonM
Join Date 01/2004
+45
Reply #13 July 10, 2007 6:37:43 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

I do plan to mount a weatherproof GPS on the bent at some point.


I'm pretty cheap. I refused to buy the $30 mount to put my GPS on my bike. I used one of the refectors with an adjustable mount and broke off the reflective part. I made a mount out of wood with my scroll saw and dremel and attached it to the reflector mount. I put the GPS on it with industrial velcro.

Shortly after I made it, someone stole my bike and I haven't made another one yet.

The Garmin eTrex Legend is weatherproof and pretty acurate. You can usually find it on sale for $100.


I know how ya feel about the stolen bike. Been there, done that.

I'm far too short on spare time to make a mount to fit the bent. Easier to just buy one.

The Legend is what I was considering, although the Vista looks pretty sweet.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
MasonM
MasonM
Join Date 01/2004
+45
Reply #14 July 10, 2007 6:44:02 PM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

Ive been a member of geocaching.com for a while. Although I don't have a GPS. I want to get one though to mount onto the bike...but the cost is the main thing stopping us. I see you got the Iway. Ive heard of some issues with that particular series (iway in general I think)...any problems yet?






The iWay is a decent GPS. I've been using it for a couple of weeks now and it does a good job. I ordered the Nuvi 350 (should arrive tomorrow) basically because it does the routing much faster than the iWay and has more sensitive electronics. There are actually a couple of things that the iWay does that the Nuvi doesn't.

Neither of them are really ideal for geocaching though as they are primarily automotive navigation devices. For geocaching something like the Garmin Legend is actually more handy, not to mention weather proof.
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
MasonM
foreverserenity
Join Date 06/2004
+76
Reply #15 July 11, 2007 12:21:59 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums
That sounds like a lot of fun! Thx for keeping people like me ('greenhorns') in the know! Good luck on the rest of your hunt!
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
MasonM
MasonM
Join Date 01/2004
+45
Reply #16 July 11, 2007 7:37:27 AM
from JoeUser ForumsJoeUser Forums

That sounds like a lot of fun! Thx for keeping people like me ('greenhorns') in the know! Good luck on the rest of your hunt!


Thanks
Reason for Karma (Optional)
Successfully updated karma reason!
View all recent posts
Mark all posts as read Delete cookies created by the forum Return to Top
Stardock Forums v        Server Load Time:   Page Render Time:
Facebook Twitter YouTube Google+