This all started back in November....The Black Friday Team. Seester and Potential fell for geocaching that day, and it has been in their system ever since. Potential got Seester a Garmin for Christmas....I got Potential, The Idiot's Guide, and Potential got me wine! The circle is complete!!
With Potential being in TN, some Deer thing, Seester and I ( at work one day) made plans for a geocaching blow out! ( Ya....we work together ) We had a plan and it all took place yesterday. I was loaded down with a variety of print offs, and I swing by to get her...right on time. Already this plan is going smooth. She is dressed in trekking boots, with a designer giraffe purse and a thick cammo coat...which I think is...oh ya...an old one from 1st SGT!! Hmmm...well that is good, maybe all his knowledge will ooze through the seams! LOL
The plan, and you know how the plans NEVER go as directed, is to head out, pick up a few quick stop and grabs, with us eventually landing at a watering hole, for a late lunch and drinks. And actually, this part was a go. The caches were quick...it was the muddin' that slowed us down!!
With just a few caches left, we pull into an "off road" cache. There actually were tire tracks ahead of us, and the snow wasn't really deep....I think it was the frozen snow , and then the mud that was the kicker! Decided not to drive in all the way, but did go as far as the first slope, and parked in a decent area, going to walk the remaining distance. The cache was quick. It was when we went to leave, the whole "3-point-turn-about" that nailed us. Our first thought was to go up the slope, which we thought was feasible ... but the turning round ... was the kick!! There was NO TURNING... we just slid down the rest of the slope ... sideways! After several attempts, back and forth, turn the wheels this way... no try back way... no to the right, well...try the left...we saw mud flying! We are literally out in the middle of no where! I was trying to think of the words, when I had to call my father-in-law to pull us out! ( Seeing he had to do that already once for me...out at the farm) I wanted to go to plan B! We both got out of the car, and surveyed the situation. Hey, we are " college degreed" ... we can figure something out! Armed with rugs, and garbage bags...we do, the almost impossible. I love the part when Seester says..."is this a front wheel drive?" No Seester, right now it is a "NO WHEEL DRIVE"
Once we got it moving, we didn't stop, Seester drove it completely around the whole area, and I trekked back up to the entrance. Had to stop for a photo shoot! Seester got a picture of me LMAO...and in the background you can see the muddy rugs! We kinda wanted pics of the ruts...but nah, didn't want them bad enough to walk down to the crime scene!
We were off to the next cache, flying down the asphalt, getting "mud off the tires" ! LOL The tread on the tires, may be a little worn but, See ... we don't need no truck!
Even with the "mud delay" we were at the watering hole....what? Before they opened!?! What....? Ok, headed off for another cache... really not close by, but close enough to waste some time! At this cache...we decided to park at the entrance and hoof it in...see we are smarter already!
Ended the day at the watering hole , got a great picture of seester in her "designer outfit" and had Gretchen Wilson in mind, as we sat...and got .... "BUD - WISER"!! ( I know, that was bad pun....)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Winter Adjustments
It was a good geocaching day. The Pot-stirrer lined up a pathless woods series, 9 total. We were on a time constraint, arrived at the Park at 10 am... and left the park at 1:34. We got 6 out of 9 and probably would have done all 9 if time prevailed.
Really my first time out in any depth of snow, and even though I thought I was properly outfitted, I can see there was room for improvement. Definitely should have put on the cammo bibs! I know they are ugly, not like anyone else was out there, but it would have kept the jeans dry! And when the jeans are dry...the long johns are dry....then the socks stay dry...etc ... etc.
The pot-stirrer HAD a plan.... AND a map AND re-assured me, that these caches were just off the trails. OK sounds good...until #2 We are surrounded by a blanket of deep white snow. There are no paths ( hence the name) but there are no trails either! The plan was to work counter-clock wise on her map. Hmmmm....we certainly got distracted from that plan by the 2nd cache. But, that was cool...we were not out doing the Amazing Race, we were just having fun, and turns out we incorporated a huge exercise program with it!
The hat came off, before I even left the truck! Hate hats! And seeing I had a hoodie back up, I was good. Of course, Good would not be the correct word here, seeing the only pic taken of me...was not good! All I needed was a shopping cart, and we would have a poster for homeless bag ladies! DELETE! DELETE DELETE! Whew...won't be seeing that sucker on the internet!
First 2 caches went smooth, Pot-stirrer pulled out a (?) bicycle horn and was blowing that when she found cache #2. Turns out the wizard has a whistle in that bag too. If we were in the Land of Oz, I guess she would say I was the scarecrow, but she definitely would be the Tin Man. Together we would make Dorothy ( lost) and all we needed was to have Toto! ( uh, no thanks!) It was after cache number 3 of the day, that things starting going down hill...and I mean literally. And once you go downhill....the next stretch is uphill! Great butt exercises! It was the sound of ice cracking....that brought to our attention that we were on some body of water. Doesn't even matter how deep it was ( thankfully, we did not find out) but it was just the idea. First thought...even though our combined body weight is not much....we should probably be spread out a little ! Second thought...we are definitely off "the trail" We passed over this cracking area...uh...several times, which also tells me we were going in circles at some point! Good thing I got the waterproof boots!
There may have been no paths, the trails and the water were completely hidden... but we did manage to find the sticker bushes! Those little suckers never die. And I really shouldn't call them little....I have been officially "stuck" everywhere! Even brought one home...got the tweezers and pulled that little trinket out this morning!
The "nice" thing about a hint, or perhaps trying to gather info from some other log... is...well... there WAS no nice thing about it! The dude from Michigan, looks like he did the same as us...came in the hard way from the road. Well, after reading that, decided we must be somewhere near this cache. Oh ya, we were, but just Like Michigan dude...we were on the wrong side! We made so many trips back to GZ on that one. Pot-stirrer kept saying, it was only a terrain of 1.5 ... so her thoughts that we were in too far. And seeing she likes to be right....she was right! On the other note....in the snow, nothing is a terrain of 1.5!
It WAS a good day. The jeans were wet up to the knees, and wet jeans are a real....( you know) Was able to post field notes from the I-phone....cool....downloaded some photos when I got home. If anyone is headed out there soon. Some advice... DON'T ... follow our footsteps! And if you see the "third" bench, or any benches at all, or even some brick building...let us know. We never came across any of that! And remember, the thorn bushes are hungry...and the "body of water" has already been cracked!!
P.S. wear some cammo bibs!
Really my first time out in any depth of snow, and even though I thought I was properly outfitted, I can see there was room for improvement. Definitely should have put on the cammo bibs! I know they are ugly, not like anyone else was out there, but it would have kept the jeans dry! And when the jeans are dry...the long johns are dry....then the socks stay dry...etc ... etc.
The pot-stirrer HAD a plan.... AND a map AND re-assured me, that these caches were just off the trails. OK sounds good...until #2 We are surrounded by a blanket of deep white snow. There are no paths ( hence the name) but there are no trails either! The plan was to work counter-clock wise on her map. Hmmmm....we certainly got distracted from that plan by the 2nd cache. But, that was cool...we were not out doing the Amazing Race, we were just having fun, and turns out we incorporated a huge exercise program with it!
The hat came off, before I even left the truck! Hate hats! And seeing I had a hoodie back up, I was good. Of course, Good would not be the correct word here, seeing the only pic taken of me...was not good! All I needed was a shopping cart, and we would have a poster for homeless bag ladies! DELETE! DELETE DELETE! Whew...won't be seeing that sucker on the internet!
First 2 caches went smooth, Pot-stirrer pulled out a (?) bicycle horn and was blowing that when she found cache #2. Turns out the wizard has a whistle in that bag too. If we were in the Land of Oz, I guess she would say I was the scarecrow, but she definitely would be the Tin Man. Together we would make Dorothy ( lost) and all we needed was to have Toto! ( uh, no thanks!) It was after cache number 3 of the day, that things starting going down hill...and I mean literally. And once you go downhill....the next stretch is uphill! Great butt exercises! It was the sound of ice cracking....that brought to our attention that we were on some body of water. Doesn't even matter how deep it was ( thankfully, we did not find out) but it was just the idea. First thought...even though our combined body weight is not much....we should probably be spread out a little ! Second thought...we are definitely off "the trail" We passed over this cracking area...uh...several times, which also tells me we were going in circles at some point! Good thing I got the waterproof boots!
There may have been no paths, the trails and the water were completely hidden... but we did manage to find the sticker bushes! Those little suckers never die. And I really shouldn't call them little....I have been officially "stuck" everywhere! Even brought one home...got the tweezers and pulled that little trinket out this morning!
The "nice" thing about a hint, or perhaps trying to gather info from some other log... is...well... there WAS no nice thing about it! The dude from Michigan, looks like he did the same as us...came in the hard way from the road. Well, after reading that, decided we must be somewhere near this cache. Oh ya, we were, but just Like Michigan dude...we were on the wrong side! We made so many trips back to GZ on that one. Pot-stirrer kept saying, it was only a terrain of 1.5 ... so her thoughts that we were in too far. And seeing she likes to be right....she was right! On the other note....in the snow, nothing is a terrain of 1.5!
It WAS a good day. The jeans were wet up to the knees, and wet jeans are a real....( you know) Was able to post field notes from the I-phone....cool....downloaded some photos when I got home. If anyone is headed out there soon. Some advice... DON'T ... follow our footsteps! And if you see the "third" bench, or any benches at all, or even some brick building...let us know. We never came across any of that! And remember, the thorn bushes are hungry...and the "body of water" has already been cracked!!
P.S. wear some cammo bibs!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Getting ready
Well, I am getting ready. Actually going to go geocaching today. The pot-stirrer has picked the location, set the time, and has all the details. I just need to show up! I think the dress code is what is throwing me off. We are actually in a heat wave....30 degrees...and will probably be in my own little heat wave when I get into the car!
I have an assortment of clothing for this type of thing. But I am thinking the cammo zipped bibs, may not be needed, and I really think the 10 pound neon orange 1 piece, whatever that is, is probably not warranted. However, If I want to do snow angels...I need to be wearing something a little heavier!
I think I got the boots down now....I actually have 3 pairs, the black runway ones...a medium, no heel black, to keep your toes warm...and The ones I am wearing, which are like some official, gonna get serious, out in the snow trekking boots. With the thick ( knee-high) socks...and the hot pink/aqua fuzzy footies...I am thinking I should be ready!
Jeans today, are made too thin...so I had to hunt up some long johns! That I discovered has a hole in them...Thanks Dogs! Now that is a sight! Nothing is worse than getting a cold butt. Let's complete the outfit with long underwear top, shirt, hoodie. All this is before the coat!
I really don't want to go with the cammo coat, it is heavier, but I think we are only going a small ways off the trail. So, my regular coat ( ski coat....what?...No, I don't ski...but the coat was cute) a scarf for my neck, a HAT ( there goes my hair) and I guess the gloves will be the problem. Not sure what I am doing for that!
Well, I am off...one small bathroom break, before I hit the cold. I will keep you posted.
My biggest fear: If I fall down, I may not be able to get up!!!
I have an assortment of clothing for this type of thing. But I am thinking the cammo zipped bibs, may not be needed, and I really think the 10 pound neon orange 1 piece, whatever that is, is probably not warranted. However, If I want to do snow angels...I need to be wearing something a little heavier!
I think I got the boots down now....I actually have 3 pairs, the black runway ones...a medium, no heel black, to keep your toes warm...and The ones I am wearing, which are like some official, gonna get serious, out in the snow trekking boots. With the thick ( knee-high) socks...and the hot pink/aqua fuzzy footies...I am thinking I should be ready!
Jeans today, are made too thin...so I had to hunt up some long johns! That I discovered has a hole in them...Thanks Dogs! Now that is a sight! Nothing is worse than getting a cold butt. Let's complete the outfit with long underwear top, shirt, hoodie. All this is before the coat!
I really don't want to go with the cammo coat, it is heavier, but I think we are only going a small ways off the trail. So, my regular coat ( ski coat....what?...No, I don't ski...but the coat was cute) a scarf for my neck, a HAT ( there goes my hair) and I guess the gloves will be the problem. Not sure what I am doing for that!
Well, I am off...one small bathroom break, before I hit the cold. I will keep you posted.
My biggest fear: If I fall down, I may not be able to get up!!!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Brrr....
Well the new Year has started out on a freezing note! Couldn't get any "takers" for a first-cache-on-the-first-day thing. I decided to stay in play with the Tom-Tom...after that whole Black Friday thing...I decided it really CAN do better, if I just knew how to use it! Spent part of the day reading my new Idiot's Guide to Geocaching. Actually a really good book. I think I needed this 6 months ago! I didn't take the title personally, due to the fact that this was written before "me"...but I am sure it was written, because of the "me's" !!
We had a heat wave...with the temp going up at least 10 degrees, so that is when I decided it was time! Had some errands to run, so on the way home I decide to stop and get a cache. I have been passing this spot for some time, knowing a cache was there...so I guess it takes 10 degree weather to talk me into stopping!
The front seat was piled high with some heavy bibs...boots...hat...scarve...mittens...and gloves. I was ready! Of course, when I actually get there, I decide to just jump out and grab this one! With the car running... like someone will steal the car ( ?) ... and I really was going to need that warmth when I got back! The nice thing about caching in the snow...is the previous cachers footprints!! Of course, if they know where they are going it would probably be better. Got this one without too much trouble, walked a few circles myself, just to throw the next guy off. When I got out of the car, I knew I really had about 100 feet to get there ( hence, the no warm clothing) but I did take my pen, my I-phone and my compass swag. Never really considered the pen not working with the whole freezing deal. And if you never realized this before, think about it now... when a pen doesn't write... we always just write bigger and it works. So, after the 4 line hand shaking signature ( sorry 'bout that) ....I snap a photo and trudge back to the car.
My first cache of the new year. My mind is already on overdrive. I really need to figure out how to get this done. Hey, I couldn't find some of these , when the the temps were do-able, the trails were open, and the neon sign was flashing . So, winter may be a challenge...but what the heck, it is not like I will be too busy mowing the grass!
We had a heat wave...with the temp going up at least 10 degrees, so that is when I decided it was time! Had some errands to run, so on the way home I decide to stop and get a cache. I have been passing this spot for some time, knowing a cache was there...so I guess it takes 10 degree weather to talk me into stopping!
The front seat was piled high with some heavy bibs...boots...hat...scarve...mittens...and gloves. I was ready! Of course, when I actually get there, I decide to just jump out and grab this one! With the car running... like someone will steal the car ( ?) ... and I really was going to need that warmth when I got back! The nice thing about caching in the snow...is the previous cachers footprints!! Of course, if they know where they are going it would probably be better. Got this one without too much trouble, walked a few circles myself, just to throw the next guy off. When I got out of the car, I knew I really had about 100 feet to get there ( hence, the no warm clothing) but I did take my pen, my I-phone and my compass swag. Never really considered the pen not working with the whole freezing deal. And if you never realized this before, think about it now... when a pen doesn't write... we always just write bigger and it works. So, after the 4 line hand shaking signature ( sorry 'bout that) ....I snap a photo and trudge back to the car.
My first cache of the new year. My mind is already on overdrive. I really need to figure out how to get this done. Hey, I couldn't find some of these , when the the temps were do-able, the trails were open, and the neon sign was flashing . So, winter may be a challenge...but what the heck, it is not like I will be too busy mowing the grass!
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