One Year of Geocaching

Yesterday marked our one year anniversary of entering the world of caching. What better way to mark the occasion than by finding some new ones in the same area where it all began?

Dunes of Seagrove – Deer Lake State park (1/1.5 Traditional by mdbsharkman)

About four miles to the east of Seaside down CR 30-A is Deer Lake State Park, the home of our first cache of the day. We rode our bikes down the path on the side of the highway and the down the gravel road that led in to the park before dismounting to walk down the boardwalk. A little ways out over the dunes, there was a little alcove off the boardwalk with a roof and some benches, and a geocache.  Beach access was closed though, so sad.

Son of Point Washington Triangle  (3/1.5 Traditional by putt42)

Find number two on the day was hidden back in the Point Washington State Forest. As we rode into the forest, the gravel road gradually became a sandy road, making riding a bike a much tougher task. Eventually we came to a fork in the road, and here we found that which we sought. The cache was another itsy-bitsy-teeny-tiny magnetic container that had been painted red and stuck in a hole onto a bolt. A year ago, a hide like this would have vexed us, but not now.

Eastern Lake Trail (1/3.5 Traditional by HikingFish)

From there we headed further down the sandy roads and back into the forest in search of one more cache. After passing the trail we needed, we turned around and took the spur off the road and about 200 or so feet later we had the cache in hand. After that, the hard part was just riding back up to the paved road so we could head back to the house for some lunch. Thus began our second year of fiscal caching. Year one ended with 245 finds, a number we will try our best to top this time around the sun.

Halpert

Back in Seaside

This is where it all began for us, one year ago tomorrow. Down on the Emerald Coast for Spring Break, three of us decided to take some time to do a little geocaching, beginning our caching careers as the Stoogeteers. Now, two of us have returned for another week at the beach (Werner’s break didn’t coincide with that of X. Marx D’Spot and myself) and another week of geocaching. With this being our 366th day in the sport (yay for leap years), it was only fitting that we did a little finding today.

Trail 2 Where? (1.5/1.5 Traditional by Geauxtiger and son)

Find number one for the week was a cache that wasn’t around this time last year, or else we would’ve found it then. We hopped on our bikes after breakfast and rode a little over a quarter mile to the snag the smiley. It was an easy enough find, once we found the little trail it was on. The “camo” only really concealed it from one side and D’Spot had no trouble seeing it while I was walking right past it. We dropped off a travel bug I’d gotten in Crawford but took nothing for ourselves. How noble of us.

Used to Smell like Seattle (2/1 Traditional by The Killer Bees)

This cache will always be memorable for us. Last year when it found it, it became our sixth find ever. It took us two searches to locate, the first search consisting of about 30 minutes of “stealth” work that had us feeling under every chair and table and usually just sitting there wondering where the heck the cache was. Luckily, after finding I’m here if you need me… a little down 30-A later in the day, we had a better idea of what we could be looking for, and it turns out we were looking for the exact same kind of cache. There, sticking off the bottom of a door hinge, was the super-tiny-micro-magnetic container. Success was sweet, and we were hooked on caching.

This year, while I was searching for caches in the area, I noticed that this one had a new name (it used to be “Smells like Seattle”, I think). Turns out, the cache was moved after the Starbucks that hosted it closed down. The cache is still in the same general area, just a few doors down, so we decided to find it again. So we did, and that about wraps up today’s exploits. Hopefully less rain later in the week will equal more finds.

Halpert

Caching in Texas Part 4: Waco (again)

The final three finds of the journey to the Lone Star State were all back on the campus of Baylor University. The sunlight was fading and so was my time in Texas, so these finds marked the end of a 20-cache trip that bumped us up to 242 total finds in our career thus far. It was a good trip and added another state to our resume, which is always nice. Texas is now our second most-cached state behind good ole Tennessee.

Between 12:10 and 12:31 (2/1 Traditional by DrHogg)

Yet another find that DrHogg put out there. This was just one more cache that uses the tiny magnetic containers, though its more eleveated placement gave it a little uniqueness. The wind threatened to blow the miniscule log away, and I’m glad I didn’t end up having to chase that tiny slip of paper across campus. That would not have been fun at all.

Lawyers, Lawyers Everywhere (1/1 Traditional by DrHogg)

Hidden by the Baylor Law School, this one was the only lightpole cache I got on this trip. That fact is both encouraging and disappointing due to how easy these caches are to find. Oh well, I’m sure there are plenty more lightpole caches in our future.

Hogg-warts (1.5/1.5 Traditional by DrHogg)

The final find was hidden across the street from the most ginormous building ever, at least on Baylor’s campus. Click here to see a picture of it. The picture won’t do it justice, but it’s the best I’ve got. You just have to see the building for yourself to realize is huge-ness. The cache itself was a micro, I guess to balance out the building. It was a nice and easy way to cap off a good run in Texas.

Halpert

Caching in Texas Part 3: Crawford

Geocaching in the small town of Crawford, Texas (a.k.a. White House West) last Sunday was a run of ten finds that will always stand outfor me. There wasn’t a whole lot to see in the small town that has gained notoriety through the prominent owners of a ranch nearby, but ten new finds gave me a view of Crawford I wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.

Crawford Cell Tower, Crawford Water Tower, Blue Water Tower, Back-Door Crawford, Let’s Hit the Trail!, Low Water Bosque

These six are listed together because all of them are 2/2 Traditionals by DrHogg. They are also hidden in exactly the same fashion and have the following as the beggining of their descriptions online: A cammoed film canister in a tree. There’s not much else to say about these. I was spotting them from the car by the third one. But hey, I can’t complain about six more finds.

“Give Peace A Chance” (1.5/1 by HOTCrawlDaddy)

Best find of the day by far, not for creativity but simply for location. The Crawford Peace House is a great little place with a lovely garden and labyrinth. The experience was topped off by the two little puppies that ran up to me after the find. You can’t beat the dynamic duo of puppies and geocaching.

A view from the Peace House

Lean Over (2/2 Traditional by DrHogg)

A quick walk into the woods was all it took grab this smiley. Picked up a TB as well: Ticket to Crawford. Bringing this one back to Nashville will add some good miles to its name.

Ticket to Crawford

Crawford Pirate’s Stash (2/2 Traditional by Sono/Rad)

Another easy find that came after a nice walk on a day with outstanding weather to be outside in (“outside in”, does that make sense?) There was even a quaint little creek by the cache site, altough I wouldn’t recommend swimming in that water until it gets a little less murky and a lot less stagnant. You can never tell what’s lurking in the depths.

“Everybody Must Get Stoned” (3.5/1 by HOTCrawlDaddy)

The last find of the day was a quick grab on the way out of town back towards Waco. The name doesn’t refer to any illegal activities, just to clear that up. This one made it an even ten for the trip to Crawford, and I can confidently say that upon my departure I had completely cached-out Crawford. There were a few further out of the main part of town, but I’m not counting those for my claims.

Halpert

Click here to see photos from today on Flickr.

Caching in Texas Part 2: Waco

After driving from College Station to Waco and meeting up with my former youth minister (his name’s Josh by the way) we found ourselves on the campus of Baylor University. The main event that evening would be the Texas A&M vs. Baylor men’s basketball game later, but there was certainly time for a couple caches before that. So, as we walked across the campus, I was able to snag smileys for…

The Knowledge Cache (2/1 Traditional by DrHogg)

Hidden just outside the library, this cache is one of those itsy-bitsy-teeny-tiny magnetic containers that are one part cool and one part annoying. The cool comes with their size and subsequent level of stealth/difficulty. The annoying part, as anyone who’s found one before will surely know, is with getting that super-small log to fit back in the thing, if not getting it out in the first place. Tweezers usually come to my rescue, but in this case I was unprepared and had to do the deed by hand. It could always be worse, though. I mean, at least I found the cache.

Here Comes the Judge (2.5/1 Traditional DrHogg)

Another super-micro like the last one. This cache did, however, have a better entertainment source nearby (my apologies to  books). Just across the street from here are the two real live mascots of Baylor (the Bears for anyone who doesn’t know): Joy and Lady. Only one of them was out when we were there. Seeing as she neglected to introduce herself and was not wearing a name tag, I cannot say with certainty which one it was. Let’s just say it was Joy. That would go along with the joy of caching right?

Stay tuned for Part 3 from Crawford!

Halpert

Caching in Texas Part 1: College Station

On a trip to visit a former youth minister in Waco, I made it a point to grab as many caches as possible in a state that the Stoogeteers had yet to make any progress in yet: Texas. The first leg of the trip was the flight from Nashville to Houston (see Flight  50 for photos from the sky) followed by a drive to College Station. The next morning, it was time to do some caching in Aggieland. Five fresh finds were the result of this mini-run and they are:

Civil Engineering Sculpture (2/1 Traditional by peanutsdad & PaveProf):

Easily the best find of the day, all due to the creativity behind this one. These pictures spoil it though, so if you plan on hunting this one you may want to avert your gaze for a minute. This one took the fake bolt premise to a whole different level. The search took a little longer than I thought it would, but it was totally worth it in the end.

Skaggs (3.5/1.5 Traditional by casadelrut)

This one was similar to another in Brentwood, Tennessee (stressed is desserts spelled backwards). Subsequently, this was a quick find.

lonely lock (3/1.5 Traditional by nlforeman04)

Very cool idea behind this one. I’d been wondering when I’d see a combination lock used as part of a cache. Now I have. I may steal this idea sometime down the road.

Presidential Landing Zone (1/1.5 Traditional by Chainsaw35)

Located in a field by the George H. W. Bush Presidential Library, this cache gave me the opportunity to dump a travel bug I’d had for a bit (“Torreon, Mexico” Unite for Diabetes Travel Bug). Gotta love the ole tupperware-container-by-the-trees cache.

Under the Trees/Not in the Bush (1/1.5 Traditional by Retired)

The last find in College Station was a simple hide that was easily located. Also located by the Bush library, this one wrapped up the mini-run of five finds around Texas A&M before the time came to head on up to Waco. Stay tuned for more exciting entries of caching in Texas, including ten finds in Crawford, a.k.a White House West.

Halpert

Three finds in two weeks

Not much to write about when you’ve only got three new finds over an eight day period. A two-find day last Saturday and then one more yesterday is all the Stoogeteers have to our name of late. For those who might be curious, here are the ones we got:

Caution. Low clearance. – 2.5/2 by x_superman_x

Martha Stewart’s Stash – 1.5/3 by Jigada

Ganier Ridge Virtual Cache – 1/2.5 by Murrcat

And that’s about it. Hopefully we’ll have more to write about soon.

Halpert

Ten in the cold

Two days ago, two Stoogeteers (X. Marx D’Spot and myself) headed out into the winter weather to grab a few more smileys. This was a rather uneventful cache run, and as a result there’s not a lot to write about this time. In the Tennessee cold, we were able to grab ten more finds and only suffered a few DNFs. We also saw a fantastic hide (our last find) and got to meet some other cachers (Josie and the Pussycats). It was a good day, just not a super exciting day. Here are the ten we found followed by those disappointing DNFs:

Creative Thingies – Letterbox Hybrid, 1.5./1.5 by legm

In The Pitts – Traditional, 2/2 by TNLadyBug

Milk or Bread? – Traditional, 1/1 by haley4tn

Down Under – Traditional, 2/2 by x_superman_x

Out in the great wide open – Traditional,  2/2 by x_superman_x (third to find. The FTF had been at 6:54 am, wow. We picked up a trackable here too.)

Rocky Road – Traditional, 1.5/2 by x_superman_x

Peek A Boo – Traditional, 3/1.5 by x_superman_x

Fewkes Mounds – Traditional, 1.5/1.5 by JoGPS

Wilson family tree – Traditional, 1.5/1.5 by x_superman_x

Fox Ridge – Traditional, 1.5/1.5 by shan7on (defintely the coolest hide of the day, you just have to see it for yourself)

And the DNFs: Smiley Faces and Practicing What We Have Learned No. 5 (where we met our fellow cachers).

And just like that, we brought our total up to 219. Hopefully it’ll be a little warmer next time we head out.

Halpert

One for the road

This is really nothing more than an extended log. Yesterday, it was my pleasure to find Almaville Park and Find down in Smyrna whilst I was in the area. This 1.5/1.5 by Southpaw is one of those quick ones that are good stat-padders when you’ve got a little free time on your hands. I was also struck by the fact (as I have been before) that it’s pretty cool that there’s all this stuff hidden out there that everyone else passes by while we know where it is. Gotta love geocaching.

Halpert

FTF (x2) and a few more finds

Yesterday morning, RPSwiney and I braved the elements and headed out into the rain in hopes of finding some new caches in the area. The hides had been activated around 2am on Friday which forced me to sit at school all day and hope that no one found them before I got a chance. Luckily, no one did, but when Werner and myself looked for one of them (Cachville 3) we came up empty. We had our eyes on a few further south (see Found three, made four) and passed on the other two in the Cachville series by BlkFt. So, with the caches remaining unfound by Saturday morning, we decided to give them a shot, starting with Cachville 1 rated as a 2/1. The 60CSx led us to a spot in a parking lot very similar to the area where Werner and myself had searched the day before at the other site. Noticing this, I had a pretty good idea of where to look. My idea was right, and I found the cache in very good hiding spot. It took a modified paperclip to extract the container, though, which may give you an idea of where to look if you choose to do so. Once I had the container in hand, I pulled out the logbook and saw exactly what I wanted to see: no names. The Stoogeteers finally had a FTF, which I must say feels pretty good.

Riding the momentum, we proceded onto Cachville 2, also rated at 2/1. This one was exactly like its predecessor, and our second FTF. Feeling exceedingly confident, we headed over to Cachville 3 to give it another shot. With both of the day’s finds being in the same series and being hidden in the same manner (a manner I’d neglected to check for the day before) I was pretty sure we’d get FTF number three in the Wal-Mart parking lot. I was wrong. After searching everywhere you would think a cache would be, we came up empty and decided to end our search as a DNF (sad, I know). The day didn’t end on a sour note, however, because we were able to nab one more smiley before heading home: shoebuster, rated 1.5/1.5 by legm.

Then today, finding ourselves in the vicinity of some caches we hadn’t tackled yet, RPSwiney and myself (this time accompanied by my cousin, a first-time geocacher) headed out again to grab a few more finds. First up was Stone Walls, a 1/1.5 by JoGPS & Family, which was followed shortly by 31-441 (1.5/1.5 by Tennessee Traveler). Neither took too terribly long to locate and both gave us good opportunities to explain the sport to our rookie tag-along. Even better, today’s two finds help me out on one of my New Year’s resolutions: to find at least one cache a week this year. Now, I’ve relieved the pressure for the rest of the week, though I’m sure I’ll find some time to get back out on the hunt at some point. Thus, the weekend of caching comes to a close. Final tally: 5 finds, 1 DNF, and 2 FTFs.

Halpert