We did manage to have time for that last cache of the day. We were hurried, but it couldn't be as bad as the last one... we think. It wasn't, but it was a tough one. Good one, but not what we were expecting!
We start off with a closed road, so we go around...ya, I have been here in the past, but not driving, so how to get around the blocked road...well don't ask me! We finally park it, and start to walk. We would have been better off, at the closed road sign...but it is good exercise, so we walk it.
The Garmin signal is all over the place, and my I-phone is off...nearly dead! I decide to turn it on, just to get an idea of where we are headed. I am in the middle of no where with just a sliver of green, left on the battery...and the phone rings! And, it is work! You have got to be kidding... I can not be wasting my battery on a phone call from work! I ignore the call...and keep "poking".
I know what we are looking for, from the description...and my location was good, my theory, I thought, was good, and I would have been successful...had this been a "poking cache" The pot-stirrer ( standing right next to me) calls it. She, of course, is not "poking"...but "looking"
I snap another picture...for Ist Sgt, and that is when I realize...AHHHH, "we" ( 1st Sgt & I) have "done" this guy before! I recognize his MO.
Ok...game on, I wish I knew that before going into this! Oh well, I am sure he will place more...with his style, he is a geo-caching addict! There will definitely be more.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Pot-stirrer and the Did Not Find
It is finally my day off, and I think I have a ton of things to do. Pot stirrer calls and tells me about a cache...she did not find. Turns out she goes caching...without me...on her weekend off! Well, that is the first problem. Anyways, I listen to her tale...and it is a tough one. She goes into detail, telling me all the surroundings, and that is when I say...it is the ( blah, blah, blah) Don't want to give any spoilers!
She says she didn't even know, you could have caches like that! So we spend the next 1 hour, still on the phone, scanning e-bay looking/showing all the cool caches! She is determined...and I want some caches, so we make plans to go caching today...and back to the scene of the did not find!
She picks me up at the crack of dawn, my idea, and we head off. She is driving, I am shotgun. And the I-phone is NOT charging, as I think. Can you see where this is heading? We pick up a couple of not- really- near- by ones, and while stopping for a cup of coffee...I realize the phone is not charging, and the battery is going quickly!
This is the start of my frustration! I shut the phone off, to save the battery...and we head to the scene, after all, she has already been there and I am sure I know what we are looking for! We arrive, and neither one of us, knows north from south...we are very turned around. We start looking...and looking...and looking. Maybe they want you to think it is.... so, we start looking nearby, and looking, and looking. I get the caching stick out and I am banging the heck out of everything, I am poking, stooping , prodding and starting to think some really negative thoughts.
The pot stirrer calls it quits, but I dilly-dally just a little longer. We may be just a couple of girls, but the BA in her "real " geo-caching name stands for BAD A**. I just hate to admit defeat...but we are cold, wet, hungry, and she has to go to work...and we have 1 more cache we wanted to get!
Then out of the blue, I hear her say...there it is. Finally some words, I wanted to hear. I turn and look, and I am so frustrated I can't even get excited! I snap a picture, just to send to 1st Sgt...seeing he is thousands of miles away... I don't think we will be spoiling this for him.
I head back to the car, the pot-stirrer is doing some little cart wheel dance...she is so excited! She can hardly contain herself! As we drive away, I ask her if I can have at least " 1 star" since it was exactly WHAT I said it was going to be...But I just couldn't see it.
When I get home...I log in as "found it" and just said...NO COMMENT. I 'll be dammed if I give any help to the next guy!
She says she didn't even know, you could have caches like that! So we spend the next 1 hour, still on the phone, scanning e-bay looking/showing all the cool caches! She is determined...and I want some caches, so we make plans to go caching today...and back to the scene of the did not find!
She picks me up at the crack of dawn, my idea, and we head off. She is driving, I am shotgun. And the I-phone is NOT charging, as I think. Can you see where this is heading? We pick up a couple of not- really- near- by ones, and while stopping for a cup of coffee...I realize the phone is not charging, and the battery is going quickly!
This is the start of my frustration! I shut the phone off, to save the battery...and we head to the scene, after all, she has already been there and I am sure I know what we are looking for! We arrive, and neither one of us, knows north from south...we are very turned around. We start looking...and looking...and looking. Maybe they want you to think it is.... so, we start looking nearby, and looking, and looking. I get the caching stick out and I am banging the heck out of everything, I am poking, stooping , prodding and starting to think some really negative thoughts.
The pot stirrer calls it quits, but I dilly-dally just a little longer. We may be just a couple of girls, but the BA in her "real " geo-caching name stands for BAD A**. I just hate to admit defeat...but we are cold, wet, hungry, and she has to go to work...and we have 1 more cache we wanted to get!
Then out of the blue, I hear her say...there it is. Finally some words, I wanted to hear. I turn and look, and I am so frustrated I can't even get excited! I snap a picture, just to send to 1st Sgt...seeing he is thousands of miles away... I don't think we will be spoiling this for him.
I head back to the car, the pot-stirrer is doing some little cart wheel dance...she is so excited! She can hardly contain herself! As we drive away, I ask her if I can have at least " 1 star" since it was exactly WHAT I said it was going to be...But I just couldn't see it.
When I get home...I log in as "found it" and just said...NO COMMENT. I 'll be dammed if I give any help to the next guy!
Link
In less than 12 hours after everyone hits the road to home...I have picked up the house... ditched all the left over snacks...threw the "empties" in several different containers...watched 4 episodes of Brothers & Sisters ( wanted to see a normal family) and finally check my e-mail.
That is when I see it! You may have noticed lately, that checking my e-mail, can bring me many different surprises! There I have an e-mail from a fellow geo-cacher....not telling me he has ended up in a bean field, but saying..." I hope you don't mind.... he has added my blog as a link to his site. Wants to have all the geo-caching blogs in one area.
Truly very nice of him....but how did he even find my blog! I check out his site, and see a couple of familiar names...and some really cute baby pictures! I guess he found one of my caches...but he found my blog? Good golly...I didn't think anyone read my blog!
I have to send off an e-mail of my own, to none other than...1st Sgt! He is probably surprised also...seeing that the number counter is so low...who would have thought. But then again...it was only one person. I ask him, if he thinks some of the geo-cachers, might recognize themselves? He said he knew who he was! Dah! That one was easy! I am just a little concerned...
Oh...okay. Well, if you think you are in my blog...you may not be......and,you know, what can I say? It is, what it is.
Ahh..I am sure no one read this.
That is when I see it! You may have noticed lately, that checking my e-mail, can bring me many different surprises! There I have an e-mail from a fellow geo-cacher....not telling me he has ended up in a bean field, but saying..." I hope you don't mind.... he has added my blog as a link to his site. Wants to have all the geo-caching blogs in one area.
Truly very nice of him....but how did he even find my blog! I check out his site, and see a couple of familiar names...and some really cute baby pictures! I guess he found one of my caches...but he found my blog? Good golly...I didn't think anyone read my blog!
I have to send off an e-mail of my own, to none other than...1st Sgt! He is probably surprised also...seeing that the number counter is so low...who would have thought. But then again...it was only one person. I ask him, if he thinks some of the geo-cachers, might recognize themselves? He said he knew who he was! Dah! That one was easy! I am just a little concerned...
Oh...okay. Well, if you think you are in my blog...you may not be......and,you know, what can I say? It is, what it is.
Ahh..I am sure no one read this.
Family Time...Next Day
We sat around that night...having a few cocktails ( wine for me) re-hashing the last 24 hours...then we start discussing the good ole days....some of the adventures Big Sis and I had gotten into....and then ( with just the right amount of alcohol) Big Sis decides to read the blogs!
Seeing that Other Sis is not a" blog watcher" ...this could go either way! The more she reads the crazier it gets. By this time, everyone is talking at once, playing out the roles, embellishing to the nth degree... Ma sits there with her, oh so familiar smirk-laugh ( the one where she almost has to hold her teeth in) I am sure anyone looking in....would think we are nuts...but this is just typical family time!
Ma continues to insist that she REALLY did walk 5 miles, in the snow, uphill, both ways to school...but has now added "ask Uncle Billy if you don't believe me!"
As we wind up the night ( I should really say morning) Ma wipes the laughing tears from her face, and remarks...Oh my...I wonder what people think about us, when they read your blog"
"Don't worry Ma ( I reply) no one reads the blogs.
Seeing that Other Sis is not a" blog watcher" ...this could go either way! The more she reads the crazier it gets. By this time, everyone is talking at once, playing out the roles, embellishing to the nth degree... Ma sits there with her, oh so familiar smirk-laugh ( the one where she almost has to hold her teeth in) I am sure anyone looking in....would think we are nuts...but this is just typical family time!
Ma continues to insist that she REALLY did walk 5 miles, in the snow, uphill, both ways to school...but has now added "ask Uncle Billy if you don't believe me!"
As we wind up the night ( I should really say morning) Ma wipes the laughing tears from her face, and remarks...Oh my...I wonder what people think about us, when they read your blog"
"Don't worry Ma ( I reply) no one reads the blogs.
Geocaching with The Other Sis
While planning my 24 hours with family. I decide to print off a few caches....just in case, we could fit them in. After wining ( or should I say whining) dining and spending all our money...we head back home. I suggest other Sis ride home with me! ( nice move)
It just so happens, I have the geo-caching bag, the I-phone, the TT, and some print offs, right there in the back seat.
I give Other Sis a 2 minute tutorial, and as 1ST SGT would say... we were good to go. Big Sis is following in her car, with Ma ( who now is refereed to as the "Q-Tip) sitting proudly in shotgun position. No Ma, there were no guns involved! Anyways...Big Sis give me " the puzzled look" when I detour and pull off in a cemetery.
OtherSis has set the "coords" and did it very nicely. Hmmm... has she been practicing? She goes right up to the cache, but of course doesn't recognize it...because it it a LPC. So I point it out to her, explaining if she was not a geocaching newby, she would have got that right way!
Off to the next one...I had printed off a few of my hides, primarily because I knew where they were, and it would be easy to teach her. Psychologically, I probably just didn't want to look dumb...just in case I couldn't find it. Learned that lesson when I went with the little one!
We do stop by and pick up a park and grab...not one of mine, but a nice easy find. Ma is just riding with Big Sis... totally clueless!! She did think she saw some kind of animal...."right there ...by the tree... 3 trees down" ....I didn't see anything, but it WAS a bean field, and I didn't want to look too close...it may have been a geocacher looking for the bridge!
Other Sis is doing great! She must have gotten the better end of Dad's navigational gene! As a matter of fact, she is really looking like a pro here. 1ST SGT would have been impressed! Had she been with him in June, he probably wouldn't be on BP meds!
It was starting to get dusk and Ma was getting a little concerned, that we were driving her through cemeteries. So, we headed home.
A good day of caching with the professional newby! But the night is just starting.....
It just so happens, I have the geo-caching bag, the I-phone, the TT, and some print offs, right there in the back seat.
I give Other Sis a 2 minute tutorial, and as 1ST SGT would say... we were good to go. Big Sis is following in her car, with Ma ( who now is refereed to as the "Q-Tip) sitting proudly in shotgun position. No Ma, there were no guns involved! Anyways...Big Sis give me " the puzzled look" when I detour and pull off in a cemetery.
OtherSis has set the "coords" and did it very nicely. Hmmm... has she been practicing? She goes right up to the cache, but of course doesn't recognize it...because it it a LPC. So I point it out to her, explaining if she was not a geocaching newby, she would have got that right way!
Off to the next one...I had printed off a few of my hides, primarily because I knew where they were, and it would be easy to teach her. Psychologically, I probably just didn't want to look dumb...just in case I couldn't find it. Learned that lesson when I went with the little one!
We do stop by and pick up a park and grab...not one of mine, but a nice easy find. Ma is just riding with Big Sis... totally clueless!! She did think she saw some kind of animal...."right there ...by the tree... 3 trees down" ....I didn't see anything, but it WAS a bean field, and I didn't want to look too close...it may have been a geocacher looking for the bridge!
Other Sis is doing great! She must have gotten the better end of Dad's navigational gene! As a matter of fact, she is really looking like a pro here. 1ST SGT would have been impressed! Had she been with him in June, he probably wouldn't be on BP meds!
It was starting to get dusk and Ma was getting a little concerned, that we were driving her through cemeteries. So, we headed home.
A good day of caching with the professional newby! But the night is just starting.....
Family Time - Day 1
Big Sis has been entertaining Ma for 2 weeks now...Other Sis and Hubby are flying in from the Hippie state for a week visit. I get them for 24 hours.
For the next 24 hours, we accomplish/ found out/discovered...in no particular order
hours of shopping at an antique mall
spent boo-coo bucks at a Hobby Lobby
etched wine glasses ( which we put to good use)
Ate a late lunch ( and drank wine) at a brewery
Found the check ( made out to me) that Big Sis "set" down
Spread a rumor to friends / family that a football coach was being fired ( well we thought we heard that on the "muted " tv)
visited coffee shop, several home decor shops and a junk store...( All purchases will probably be in our garage sale next year)
bought wine ( a couple of times)
learned a whole new craft (thanks other Sis)
drove by the ole homestead
reminisced about the good ole days
recovered Big Sis's cell phone ( dropped in a parking lot....before alcohol was started)
Found out Other Sis is indeed a pot stirrer ( but stealth like)
Realized Ma fits in the " short-cute-white-haired-little-old lady category ( with a twist of Maxine)
Downloaded fonts from the computer
BiG Sis still fits the whip-lash-willy driving category
And.....took Other Sis for a few geocaches!!!
For the next 24 hours, we accomplish/ found out/discovered...in no particular order
hours of shopping at an antique mall
spent boo-coo bucks at a Hobby Lobby
etched wine glasses ( which we put to good use)
Ate a late lunch ( and drank wine) at a brewery
Found the check ( made out to me) that Big Sis "set" down
Spread a rumor to friends / family that a football coach was being fired ( well we thought we heard that on the "muted " tv)
visited coffee shop, several home decor shops and a junk store...( All purchases will probably be in our garage sale next year)
bought wine ( a couple of times)
learned a whole new craft (thanks other Sis)
drove by the ole homestead
reminisced about the good ole days
recovered Big Sis's cell phone ( dropped in a parking lot....before alcohol was started)
Found out Other Sis is indeed a pot stirrer ( but stealth like)
Realized Ma fits in the " short-cute-white-haired-little-old lady category ( with a twist of Maxine)
Downloaded fonts from the computer
BiG Sis still fits the whip-lash-willy driving category
And.....took Other Sis for a few geocaches!!!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Dear Rewiever Jones...
I guess that is how I will start. I will keep it simple....I will act like this happens everyday...but to other people! I will skip the part about humble pie...Certainly not mention the cammo duct tape excitement ...or... thinking I was climbing the Big Boy Ladder.
I would like to mention the "nice cacher" that found this cache, and saved my butt, but I really don't want to draw attention to anything or anyone ( anyone being ME!)
So, before I write THE note to Reviewer Jones, I want to thank the "nice cacher" for actually finding the cache, for giving me the correct coordinates, for not getting stuck out in the mud, for the nice e-mail, purposely avoiding the whole criticism lingo. For my own peace of mind, I can tell that the "nice cacher" does not live around here, I believe he said something about coming 50 miles for a FTF....good! I won't have to run into him in public, secondly he called it a soy bean field, and even though I don't know a 4 from a 5...I do know, if he was a local cacher, he would have just called it a bean field.
So, thanks again to the "nice cacher" and if you are ever in this area again, and you see some cachers out...I will be the one carrying the 4 GPS units, triple checking all my numbers!
So, here goes... Dear Reviewer Jones,
while reviewing GC #------- I realize that there is an incorrect number on the.......
I would like to mention the "nice cacher" that found this cache, and saved my butt, but I really don't want to draw attention to anything or anyone ( anyone being ME!)
So, before I write THE note to Reviewer Jones, I want to thank the "nice cacher" for actually finding the cache, for giving me the correct coordinates, for not getting stuck out in the mud, for the nice e-mail, purposely avoiding the whole criticism lingo. For my own peace of mind, I can tell that the "nice cacher" does not live around here, I believe he said something about coming 50 miles for a FTF....good! I won't have to run into him in public, secondly he called it a soy bean field, and even though I don't know a 4 from a 5...I do know, if he was a local cacher, he would have just called it a bean field.
So, thanks again to the "nice cacher" and if you are ever in this area again, and you see some cachers out...I will be the one carrying the 4 GPS units, triple checking all my numbers!
So, here goes... Dear Reviewer Jones,
while reviewing GC #------- I realize that there is an incorrect number on the.......
Trying Not to panic....
Panic does not look good on me, therefore, I try to avoid it all times. In my line of work....things happen...hearts stop...and crazy things like that...so panic is NOT an option in my job. I don't do panic. So, what is this real weird feeling I have right now, ( may be a small form of panic?)
When I decide to just go ahead and panic, I find myself speed dialing the potstirrer, rambling on and on, about 100 miles an hour, about wrong coordinates....muddy bean fields....5's instead of 4's...miles off the coordinates!! You can never really predict a response from the potstirrer, so when she responds with...." well, they found all the others ones, right?" I guess this doesn't even surprise me. It certainly doesn't make me feel any better! I now have to go into a 1/2 hour dissertation on how this is a WORLWIDE treasure hunting game....how there are over 900,000 of these hidden treasure, and I can not even get mine right! This doesn't seem to phase her. But...if she was the one looking in the muddy bean field, instead of the bridge...well then this may be a different story.
The dogs are getting their exercise, as they follow me while I am pacing back and forth in the house. Ok, let's be reasonable, the cacher that figured this all out...seemed very nice, no swearing , no threats, he even listed the correct coordinates for me. That alone, is a blessing, due to my great directional disorder, I wouldn't be able to get to the cache myself. I was planning on relying on my coordinates, if the cache needed maintenance, because truly, I don't know where they are! So, by having the correct coords, I can actually go to the cache, instead of being in a muddy bean field! The "nice cacher" has a lot , and I mean a lot, of caches under his belt...so he certainly recognizes a "newby" like me.
I decide to make this quick and painless, before all the e-mails start piling up. I go to my log in, and edit the cache. I list the coordinates given to me by "nice cacher". I hit the enter key and....Wa-La! Wait, I see red...uh oh, it is a note....oh great the new coordinates are so far off, from the original, that I can not edit them. What?? It is only a 5 instead of a 4! ( says, the potstirrer) but it turns out, that one number is over 8 miles in error! 8 MILES! That is a long walk!
So, I need to temporary patch this up. Duct tape will not work on this one. Let's see, I will go and edit the story part, and list the new coordinates at the beginning...ya, that should work. I open up the reaming e-mails, nothing too threatening there. The Alphabet man did not find it, he didn't have the " correct coords" great...( eating more humble pie/ better add a little a la' mode to it) Still, no hate letters ....yet!
I do realize that I have to contact Reviewer Jones and get the coords changed. I get a e-mail from the "nice cacher", he tells me the same....just contact Reviewer Jones . Ya, I feel like when you are sent to the principles office. Slowly dragging your feet, trying to come up with a better explanation. I guess I could say, that once you got stuck in the muddy bean field....ruining all the farmers crops...that there truly was a sign there, listing the correct coords, just have a tow truck pull you out ...and then head over the 8 miles ...to a bridge, that actually has the cache!
Ah no...not gonna work!
When I decide to just go ahead and panic, I find myself speed dialing the potstirrer, rambling on and on, about 100 miles an hour, about wrong coordinates....muddy bean fields....5's instead of 4's...miles off the coordinates!! You can never really predict a response from the potstirrer, so when she responds with...." well, they found all the others ones, right?" I guess this doesn't even surprise me. It certainly doesn't make me feel any better! I now have to go into a 1/2 hour dissertation on how this is a WORLWIDE treasure hunting game....how there are over 900,000 of these hidden treasure, and I can not even get mine right! This doesn't seem to phase her. But...if she was the one looking in the muddy bean field, instead of the bridge...well then this may be a different story.
The dogs are getting their exercise, as they follow me while I am pacing back and forth in the house. Ok, let's be reasonable, the cacher that figured this all out...seemed very nice, no swearing , no threats, he even listed the correct coordinates for me. That alone, is a blessing, due to my great directional disorder, I wouldn't be able to get to the cache myself. I was planning on relying on my coordinates, if the cache needed maintenance, because truly, I don't know where they are! So, by having the correct coords, I can actually go to the cache, instead of being in a muddy bean field! The "nice cacher" has a lot , and I mean a lot, of caches under his belt...so he certainly recognizes a "newby" like me.
I decide to make this quick and painless, before all the e-mails start piling up. I go to my log in, and edit the cache. I list the coordinates given to me by "nice cacher". I hit the enter key and....Wa-La! Wait, I see red...uh oh, it is a note....oh great the new coordinates are so far off, from the original, that I can not edit them. What?? It is only a 5 instead of a 4! ( says, the potstirrer) but it turns out, that one number is over 8 miles in error! 8 MILES! That is a long walk!
So, I need to temporary patch this up. Duct tape will not work on this one. Let's see, I will go and edit the story part, and list the new coordinates at the beginning...ya, that should work. I open up the reaming e-mails, nothing too threatening there. The Alphabet man did not find it, he didn't have the " correct coords" great...( eating more humble pie/ better add a little a la' mode to it) Still, no hate letters ....yet!
I do realize that I have to contact Reviewer Jones and get the coords changed. I get a e-mail from the "nice cacher", he tells me the same....just contact Reviewer Jones . Ya, I feel like when you are sent to the principles office. Slowly dragging your feet, trying to come up with a better explanation. I guess I could say, that once you got stuck in the muddy bean field....ruining all the farmers crops...that there truly was a sign there, listing the correct coords, just have a tow truck pull you out ...and then head over the 8 miles ...to a bridge, that actually has the cache!
Ah no...not gonna work!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Victory & Defeat
Lets see...how did this whole thing go so badly? I make the purchase of a "geocaching" lifetime, by finding the cammo tape...I sit up all night, making 7 new caches. I have them in various sizes, shapes, and colors of duct tape. I head out with the potstirrer for a day of great hides. We celebrate with dinner...all is good. I log all my hides...reviewer Jones, approves them all ( see, I must be getting better at this!) And I am on cloud nine. I have climbed up at LEAST 2 rungs, if not 3 rungs, on the Big Boys Geocaching Ladder!!! Life is good! ( This is the "victory" part.)
I go do a couple of shifts at work...that is where the real money is made (until the movie deal comes in) Now...this is where....the story, in my mind...plays over and over in slow motion. I get off work, I check my e-mail, I see where someone has sent me a note through the Geocaching site. Cool, someone has found one of my new caches! Then I read the note, my gut sinks...I have put a wrong number on one of the coordinates! A 5... instead of a 4! The cache info, takes them to the middle of a muddy bean field! That one number takes them, literally, many miles from the actual cache. OMG...in slow motion I can see my head banging on the desk...I have just fallen off the Big Boy Geocaching Ladder! I glance at my e-mails and see I have 12 messages from Geocaching! I can not possibly bring myself to even read them.
I brush myself off...lots of dust, at the bottom of the ladder, I go to the kitchen and grab a fork...I start eating humble pie. ( This is the" Defeat" part)
I go do a couple of shifts at work...that is where the real money is made (until the movie deal comes in) Now...this is where....the story, in my mind...plays over and over in slow motion. I get off work, I check my e-mail, I see where someone has sent me a note through the Geocaching site. Cool, someone has found one of my new caches! Then I read the note, my gut sinks...I have put a wrong number on one of the coordinates! A 5... instead of a 4! The cache info, takes them to the middle of a muddy bean field! That one number takes them, literally, many miles from the actual cache. OMG...in slow motion I can see my head banging on the desk...I have just fallen off the Big Boy Geocaching Ladder! I glance at my e-mails and see I have 12 messages from Geocaching! I can not possibly bring myself to even read them.
I brush myself off...lots of dust, at the bottom of the ladder, I go to the kitchen and grab a fork...I start eating humble pie. ( This is the" Defeat" part)
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Caching with the dogs
I have to take the dogs to the groomer, conveniently located near a cache. So , after the whole "spa" day, we head out for a "found it"! Yea right... we find ourselves, in this stupid ditch, that of course, contains water, that we just visited a few days ago. Couldn't find it that day ( in the rain) so have returned to the scene of the crime. I am thinking this is in the drainage pipe. And due to that line of reasoning ( since my last visit) I have purchased, a mag light. Hot pink...wouldn't want to get it confused with the potstirrers! This, of course, is a joke, because the potstirrrer would NEVER own a hot pink mag light. Hey it was 8 bucks at Wally world, and I think it is cute!
We drive to the cache, pass it up several times, realizing that since our last visit, the corn has been combined...and I don't even recognize the place. Finally agree on the spot, park down the road, and since I have the dogs, I have to totally shut off the car, and do a lock down! Normally we stop for caches with car running, doors open, middle of road....well you get the picture!
Now I am not one to say, that the dogs are not well behaved, but just this morning, I had to do "the ole' grab one by the neck -as he jumps out the window -after hitting the auto window button- in his hyper stage!!
This, of course, is why you never see a log in, with the words...found this cache while out with the dogs today, also why Goldie always said...."never tell anyone, I own a poodle" And to make matters worse, couldn't find the stupid cache! I swear, it is not there!
We drive to the cache, pass it up several times, realizing that since our last visit, the corn has been combined...and I don't even recognize the place. Finally agree on the spot, park down the road, and since I have the dogs, I have to totally shut off the car, and do a lock down! Normally we stop for caches with car running, doors open, middle of road....well you get the picture!
Now I am not one to say, that the dogs are not well behaved, but just this morning, I had to do "the ole' grab one by the neck -as he jumps out the window -after hitting the auto window button- in his hyper stage!!
This, of course, is why you never see a log in, with the words...found this cache while out with the dogs today, also why Goldie always said...."never tell anyone, I own a poodle" And to make matters worse, couldn't find the stupid cache! I swear, it is not there!
It is all in the name
After the celebration dinner, I return home to enter all my new hides. 1 glass of wine later, and I am feeling pretty confident. I really want to use the name, "well hung", out at the cemetery hide.. but was starting to chicken out. But then again, there are caches called BFE #1, and BFE #2... but I think... does everyone know what BFE stands for? I actually have a friend (Dr.) that comes from the E in BFE, and wonder does he know what BFE stands for? But I also realize, I could never really ask him that. So, as I re-think this whole thing...I realize that 1st Sgt was in E of the BFE.
So...1st Sgt, do people in E of the BFE, know what that stands for? And is E in BFE...really BFE, or is it really where we live now...are WE in BFE?!! Hey, let me know, I would really like to sleep at night!
So, being the person I am, really the chicken I am...I use neither the word well or hung.
So...1st Sgt, do people in E of the BFE, know what that stands for? And is E in BFE...really BFE, or is it really where we live now...are WE in BFE?!! Hey, let me know, I would really like to sleep at night!
So, being the person I am, really the chicken I am...I use neither the word well or hung.
Cache 7
I stay up half the night, making me some new caches. I make 7, all different sizes and shapes. I am truly on a roll. I have duct tape, I have swag, I have great ideas! I have informed the potstirrer, that in the afternoon, we are heading out! Of course, it is raining...what else is new, but we do head out, and we are in search for the best hides ever! We go a couple of towns over, and start looking. We drive and drive, look and look. I am serious now, I am stepping up...I am gonna play like the big boys. These are not gonna be any easy hides, we are gonna challenge everyone! We are gonna have a great hide...a great cache! There are so many potentials, but we finally narrow it down! I am sure it was quite the sight to see, 2 people, facing a tree, gps in hand, checking coords! Several hours later, and 7 hidden caches, we grab some dinner...in celebration! Yes...I have now entered the league with the big boys! We discuss, our favorite hide...I think I really like the "hanging" one in the cemetery. I think it will be tough! I also consider , calling it "well hung", but chicken out ( Don't need the geo-caching, slap on the hand)
Feeling pretty good, about myself, I call it a night...yep! I have just entered a new league, I am one of the big boys!
Feeling pretty good, about myself, I call it a night...yep! I have just entered a new league, I am one of the big boys!
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Survival
We survived! In less than 2 1/2 hours, we found 6 caches! One was a nano....my first ( potstirrers second) Had to take a picture, set it right there next to a chap stick lid. Nice...those nanos are nice! Note to self: get some nanos. Was the FTF on one cache, made us feel pretty good, as a familiar name was on all the logs, except this one...wonder if he couldn't find it! I was feeling pretty good, when my "sense of direction" led me the correct route...around a bridge construction site. Yep, 1st Sgt, you are correct...Goldy has my back.
As usual, went off the planned course, when my I-phone says there is a cache...2.3 miles away, I think we should go. 9 miles later...I think the 2.3 miles, is "as the crow flys". All turned out great. Couldn't pass up that "one more" cache, and it was actually big enough to drop off a travel bug! The rain stopped, not sure when...but when the squeaking of the wiper blades, throws off your concentration...you realize the rain has stopped. My shoes... and clothes ( of course) are still wet!
We survived the whole... off the road...no you are still on the road...the ignore the muggles who are gawking at us ( in the rain)....wave to the muggles, let them know we are having a good time.
We survived the whole...back the car up and go to the left...no the right....no wait...do a 3-point-turn -about.
We survived the whole...look there, at the blue thing... that is it....no, that can't be it...ok, that is it...they can't hide them there.
We survived the whole...what end is the west end of the rail...west end of the rail, or west end of the lot...where is west...my i-phone says I am heading southeast....so west is...no, that can't be right.
Hey! We survived....and had a good time (soaking wet...in the rain)
As usual, went off the planned course, when my I-phone says there is a cache...2.3 miles away, I think we should go. 9 miles later...I think the 2.3 miles, is "as the crow flys". All turned out great. Couldn't pass up that "one more" cache, and it was actually big enough to drop off a travel bug! The rain stopped, not sure when...but when the squeaking of the wiper blades, throws off your concentration...you realize the rain has stopped. My shoes... and clothes ( of course) are still wet!
We survived the whole... off the road...no you are still on the road...the ignore the muggles who are gawking at us ( in the rain)....wave to the muggles, let them know we are having a good time.
We survived the whole...back the car up and go to the left...no the right....no wait...do a 3-point-turn -about.
We survived the whole...look there, at the blue thing... that is it....no, that can't be it...ok, that is it...they can't hide them there.
We survived the whole...what end is the west end of the rail...west end of the rail, or west end of the lot...where is west...my i-phone says I am heading southeast....so west is...no, that can't be right.
Hey! We survived....and had a good time (soaking wet...in the rain)
Words of Wisdom
My first flash back of MA, was when the potstirrer said "You won't melt". ( 1st Sgt and I have heard that all our lives.)
I gather all the information on a few caches, in a selected area, and we head off in the cache mobile. Good thing the wipers work! It is not only raining...it is cold...it is overcast...it is grey! So, not only the wipers, but the heat, the defrost, and the lights...were all put to use. I dressed for the occasion, or so I thought! Tennie whoppers, hoodie, warm socks, rain coat. We head to our first destination. I pull off the road...or so I think...but potstirrer claims I am in the middle of the road. Who can possibly see? It is raining too hard. Who would even be out here on a day like this! Our first cache is by a ditch, and with ditches...comes water. Within seconds I am soaked, my tennie whoppers are sloshing, my socks are saturated, in fact, I have water half way up the legs of my jeans. My I-phone is wet, and I need those little windshield wipers on my glasses. And I am thinking it is a magnetic... in the drainage ditch! Of course...she has a flashlight!
My second flashback of MA..."you kids don't even have enough sense to come in from out of the rain." ( back me up on this 1st Sgt!)
I gather all the information on a few caches, in a selected area, and we head off in the cache mobile. Good thing the wipers work! It is not only raining...it is cold...it is overcast...it is grey! So, not only the wipers, but the heat, the defrost, and the lights...were all put to use. I dressed for the occasion, or so I thought! Tennie whoppers, hoodie, warm socks, rain coat. We head to our first destination. I pull off the road...or so I think...but potstirrer claims I am in the middle of the road. Who can possibly see? It is raining too hard. Who would even be out here on a day like this! Our first cache is by a ditch, and with ditches...comes water. Within seconds I am soaked, my tennie whoppers are sloshing, my socks are saturated, in fact, I have water half way up the legs of my jeans. My I-phone is wet, and I need those little windshield wipers on my glasses. And I am thinking it is a magnetic... in the drainage ditch! Of course...she has a flashlight!
My second flashback of MA..."you kids don't even have enough sense to come in from out of the rain." ( back me up on this 1st Sgt!)
Fever
It is not swine flu, it is not the flu at all. It is not a cold, sinus infection or pneumonia...it is a fever. The potstirrer has a fever, and it started in the Dakotas. She will inform me...that it was North Dakota, but unless you live in the Dakotas, I really don't think North or South makes a difference.
She has returned from the family vacation, and she has geocache fever. This may be terminal, as I noticed that many other caching friends, have had it for years. She has hung with me for 50 some caches and really showed no signs, then out of the blue...it has her. I am thinking it came in the Garmin box.
After a 13 hour drive back, to the infamous state, of road construction, potholes, and lousy weather. She calls...wants to go get a few caches. Seeing the weather has been nothing but cold and rainy, I had actually made a dentist appt. for noon. Oh...that doesn't matter, she says...it won't be dark for hours. We will still have time.
As I leave the "plaque pickers" office, I give her a call. Yep, she still wants to go...Yep, it is raining where she is. Yep, she has checked the radar. Yep, it is pretty much orange.
Well, it is not like we are gonna melt, she says. ( Flashbacks of MA.) Yep, she will meet me in ten.
Oh ya... she has the fever.
She has returned from the family vacation, and she has geocache fever. This may be terminal, as I noticed that many other caching friends, have had it for years. She has hung with me for 50 some caches and really showed no signs, then out of the blue...it has her. I am thinking it came in the Garmin box.
After a 13 hour drive back, to the infamous state, of road construction, potholes, and lousy weather. She calls...wants to go get a few caches. Seeing the weather has been nothing but cold and rainy, I had actually made a dentist appt. for noon. Oh...that doesn't matter, she says...it won't be dark for hours. We will still have time.
As I leave the "plaque pickers" office, I give her a call. Yep, she still wants to go...Yep, it is raining where she is. Yep, she has checked the radar. Yep, it is pretty much orange.
Well, it is not like we are gonna melt, she says. ( Flashbacks of MA.) Yep, she will meet me in ten.
Oh ya... she has the fever.
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