Posted by admin on May 04, 2010
It's been a long while since I've written a post here. I've been a busy guy getting things packed, moved and unpacked into our new home. Unfortunately that means I haven't had much time for caching lately 
Now that things are settled down that's about to change though! I've already found a perfect hiding spot for a cache near our new home.
Today I just wanted to write a quick post about the recent Geocaching Bomb Scare that occurred in Anaheim, CA last month. If you didn't hear about it, you can read all about it here.
About a dozen fire trucks from Anaheim and Fullerton were sent to the area along with a hazmat team and the Orange County bomb squad.
My first reaction is "Are you kidding me?" Geocaching has now been around for 10 years now. It's a World-wide hobby. Any good bomb squad is going to know about the hobby. It should be S.O.P. to check the Geocaching.com site before expending all of these resources!
But, what's done is done. And it does serve as a good reminder for those of us who hide caches. Caches hidden in public places can be fun as they add difficulty to the hide, but a light post cache (LPC) for instance, in the center of a busy parking lot may not be a good spot to hide a cache unless it is in a spot where cachers can somehow retrieve and replace it discreetly, without attracting attention. OR unless you specify night cache only.
On the flip side of that, if you come up on a cache that is obviously surrounded by muggles should you REALLY go for it?
If there is one or two muggles in the area who look friendly I just tell them. "Hey, I'm playing a game called Geocaching. You can read about it at Geocaching.com" I've done that several times and I've never had an issue. Most people don't care. Some are curious and want to try Geocaching, but I've NEVER had anyone act worried or suspicious after simply telling them what I'm doing.
So, those are my thoughts on the whole situation. What do you think about caches in high-muggle areas?
img credit: Katie@!
Posted by admin on Jan 19, 2010
When we first started Geocaching in order for us to know the details of each cache we were about to look for I would take a piece of paper and write down the Geocache code so we know which one to plug into the GPS, the hint (if given,) the cache size, the difficulty if 3 star or more, any info in the description that I believe may help find the cache and if one or more of the last few logs were DNF's I add that too, just so I know that it may not be there.
After our first 100 finds or so, I got tired of spending 20+ minutes writing all of that stuff down. That's when we started printing out the full cache page. It's much quicker and easier, but it takes alot of paper and printer ink, especially if you have a long day of caching planned.
There are a few programs out there that help with this. The most popular is called the "Geocaching Swiss Army Knife" (GSAK) but in my experience it's incredibly confusing and difficult to use. As a matter of fact, I uninstalled it on the same down I installed it because it just gave me a headache trying to figure it out.
SO, I'm on a mission to make cache hunt preparation quicker, easier and far less complicated! I'm going to have a piece of software developed that is simple to use... does exactly what needs to be done, nothing more and nothing less!
But I need your help! I need to know how you prepare for your hunts. I know those using iPhones are all set (I'm jealous and may end up leaving verizon just so I can get an iPhone.)
But if you aren't a spoiled iPohone user 
please let me know how you prepare. Do you write down cache info? Do you print the cache pages out like we do? Do you use software?
I'll be using the info I get from you in order to have this software developed and you'll have the opportunity to use it once it's finished.
Thanks and Happy Caching!
img credit: Oberazzi
Posted by admin on Jul 08, 2009
Every person on Earth who takes up the hobby/sport (whatever you want to call it) of Geocaching does it for fun. I guess some may do it just to get off of their butt, but I'm pretty sure every single person who does it gets at least a little joy out of it.
Geocaching was invented for entertainment! With that being said, as long as you're respectful (you put caches back where you found them, you leave something if you take something etc.) it should be about what YOU enjoy.
Almost every day that I decide to do some Geocaching I come across one or more cache page, log, note etc. from other cachers complaining about how easy a cache is, how hard a cache is, how common a certain type of container is etc.
For some people it IS about the numbers and other it isn't. For some people large containers are the best, for other micros are the best.
Some people, like myself, like to take their small children out for EASY caches without the stress of a tough hunt with small children. Other people enjoy a challenge and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that either. I enjoy a challenging hunt when I'm alone as well.
Some people, like myself, don't like caches hidden in thick wooded areas because it's almost impossible to get a signal and to us it just sucks the fun right out of it, BUT some people enjoy that and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that!
My point is this: Geocaching is a hobby just like any other hobby. One person may like it for the neat swag they find. Another person may like it for the exercise they get. Another for the new places they find. Another for the sheer challenge. So why complain about those caches that YOU don't personally like? Geocaching wasn't invented for me or you it was invented for me AND you!
I'll admit, this rant was brought on by a particular cacher publicly complaining about a series of 4 caches that I placed in my neighborhood. They are all P&G nano's and obviously this person didn't like nanos and decided to let me and everyone else know in his log.
I just wanted to say "Sorry, I didn't realize Geocaching was created for YOU"
Obviously that did bug me a bit, but I've been wanting to write about this particular subject for a while anyway, so at least he brought out some good too 
Sorry for the negativity! I'm usually one of the most positive guys you'll ever meet, but every now and then I feel the need to let off a little steam!
img credits: akeg
Posted by admin on Apr 28, 2009
Just about every time I explain what Geocaching is to someone (which is pretty often because I mention it to just about every new person I meet ) I see a confused look on their face.
You know, the kind that's like "ok, WHY would anyone want to go find little containers with toys in them?" I'm sure you know the look.
Shortly after the confused face I explain that Geocaching isn't just about what you find... there is so much more to it, but it's up to the Geocacher to realize it and make it happen.
There are some days when my wife, son and myself are sitting here bored, but don't particularly feel like Geocaching.
Don't get me wrong, we all love finding caches, but there are SOME days when it's just not that appealing. But many times we do it anyway! Why? I'm glad you asked
The Multiple Benefits of Geocaching:
1. It's an excellent, Healthy way to stay Active - Any time you're active and get outside to breath fresh air and move around it's a good thing! Sitting at home watching TV usually results in calories NOT being burned and more calories being taken in, because most people are more likely to snack when they're inactive. Geocaching results in calories being burned and since you're busy, you're less likely to want to snack.
2. It's a Constructive, Fun thing for Kids - Whether you have your own children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews or even neighbor kids, take them along (with permission lol.) Kids LOVE geocaching, so it's a great way to get them out and about as well, not to mention an excellent way to spend quality time with them.
3. It's a Great way to Find New, Neat Places - I've been Geocaching for less than 2 years and I can't count how many cool places I've come across looking for caches. Not only did I find these places, but in many cases I learned neat facts about them, as many cache owners will put trivia on their cache pages.
4. It's a Great way to meet New Friends - Not only do local Geocachers organize events frequently (depending on where you are) just being an active geocaching exposes you to many great people who are also active. I have yet to attend a Geocaching event, although I plan to this summer, but I've still met several great people during my adventures.
photo credit: Paul-W
