We (son briguy 7720 and I) located our first geocache today! After playing with the LG 735 I realized that I could plug coordinates in, but after practicing with it a bit, I decided that using the GPS with a journal of coordinates worked best.
I actually located the cache before briguy got home from school, in a park about 3 miles from our home. But I didn't pull it then because 1) I wanted him to be there, and 2) there was a darn big spider sitting on the lid of it, and I just don't like those creatures that much.
So, when briguy got home, we went back, gently chased the spider away with a stick, and pulled the small tube cache out of the hollowed-out limb. So much fun! He is so pumped about this. It's neat to have something new to share with him.
So, rev honey and briguy7720 have logged their first, and have begun seeking other caches...but a wedding rehearsal and sr high glow-bowling outing will occupy our time tonight.
God is good...all the time!
Friday, April 11, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
It Arrived!
The new Magellin 400 arrived. We've spend the evening putting in the sim card and battery, downloading the instruction manuel and updates and charging the battery.
Darn - I don't have the first idea how to use the things. Well I'll actually read the manuel tomorrow. It's been snowy the last few days but the weekend should be stunning.
There are a couple of caches that have so eluded me...oldest daughter and I have been hanging out under a foot bridge looking for a certain cache but have only seen a rat. I hope the GPS gets us closer.
Darn - I don't have the first idea how to use the things. Well I'll actually read the manuel tomorrow. It's been snowy the last few days but the weekend should be stunning.
There are a couple of caches that have so eluded me...oldest daughter and I have been hanging out under a foot bridge looking for a certain cache but have only seen a rat. I hope the GPS gets us closer.
Monday, April 7, 2008
I did it
Wasn't planning on it, but did my first Geo Cache today. The ministers were talking at lunch about different things. One of them asked me how I was doing and I told him. He told me he hoped I found some time for fun during all this. And I said funny you would say that and told him about starting to do Geo Caching. Well one of the other ministers has been doing it since June, and piped in. He then took me with him and had me do the gps. It was so much fun. He took a picture of me at my first Geo Cache. If I get it, I'll post it. I am on my way. He and his wife do this together. He said it has become one of the most calming things he does. And I got an email notification that my GPS I ordered is on its way. Yea. Also joined Geocaching. Here is my name on there seekandfindMt77.
Got to go log in that I found the cache!
Got to go log in that I found the cache!
Glossery of terms
This post is in answer to the last one. It is copied from the geocaching.com site under "getting started" (with adaptations). I do want to say I am not an expert having just learned about this on the BE, found just 7 caches, and am still waiting for my firs GPS (will will arrive today or tomorrow)... but I'm not excited or anything;-)
The Geocaching.com glossary is always changing. If you have any additions, contact us.
Archivex This is usually seen when you own a cache. Archiving is basically deleting your cache from the listings on the web site. This usually occurs when you are not going to replace a cache after it has been removed. You can temporarily disable it as the cache owner if you plan to activate it again within a month.
Benchmark See benchmark hunting for more details.
CITO - Cache In Trash Out - When out geocaching, take a bag with you and pick up trash along the way! More info can be found on the Cache In Trash Out page .
Cache -Pronounced "cash" - In geocaching it is a hidden container filled with a log book and pencil/pen, and possibly prizes. Caches were often used by explorers, miners, etc. to hide foodstuffs and other items for emergency purposes. People still hide caches of supplies today for similar reasons.
Geocaching comes from the terms "geo" and "cache" to explain the sport. Some caches have cash in them, but there is no pun intended :)
Datum - A datum is something used as a basis for calculating and measuring. In the case of GPS, datums are different calculations for determining longitude and latitude for a given location. Currently, Geocaching uses the WGS84 datum for all caches. Many maps still use NAD27, which can cause confusion if your GPS unit is set to NAD27. Always check your GPS to ensure that WGS84 is the datum before entering a cache coordinate into your unit.
FTF -First To Find. Usually found in the forums or written in the online or physical log books.
Geomuggle or Muggle -A non-geocacher. Based on "Muggle" from the Harry Potter series, which is a nonmagical person. Usually this term is used after a non geocacher looks puzzled at a geocacher making circles with their GPS receiver, or when a non-geocacher accidentally finds a cache. Geomuggles are mostly harmless. One can purchase "Muggle" cards explaining what you are doing when questioned.
GPS - GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is a system of satellites that work with a GPS receiver to determine your location on the planet.
Geocaching uses GPS to help hide and seek caches on the planet. For more information on GPS, visit Trimble's web site .
GPSr - Slang for a GPS receiver. Equipment to receive GPS signals for use in navigation.
Hitchhiker - A hitchhiker is an item that is placed in a cache, and has instructions to travel to other caches. Sometimes they have logbooks attached so you can log their travels. A Travel Bug is an example of a hitchhiker.
Latitude - Latitude and longitude create a waypoint. Latitude is the angular distance north or south from the earth's equator measured through 90 degrees. (Listen to this mp3 for an entertaining way to learn about longitude and latitude (thanks to ACME ))
Letterbox(ing) - Letterboxing is similar to Geocaching, but you use a series of clues to find a container. Once you find the container (or letterbox), you take a carved stamp from the box and stamp your personal logbook. You then take your carved stamp and stamp the letterbox's log book. See Letterboxing North America for more info.
Longitude - Latitude and longitude create a waypoint. Longitude is the angular distance measured on a great circle of reference from the intersection of the adopted zero meridian with this reference circle to the similar intersection of the meridian passing through the object. (Listen to this mp3 for an entertaining and non-technical way to learn about longitude and latitude (thanks to ACME ))
Markwelled - When a response to a new post in the forums points you to a similar topic in the past. Based on the user Markwell .
NAD27 Stands for North American Datum 1927. The precursor to WGS84. Many maps still use the NAD27 datum , so always check before using a GPS unit with a map.
Spoiler -A spoiler is information that can give details away and ruin the experience of something. For example, telling someone the end of a movie before they see it. In geocaching, a spoiler gives away details of a cache location and can ruin the experience of the hunt.
TFTC -Thanks for the cache!
TFTH -Thanks for the hunt!
TNLN -Took Nothing. Left Nothing. Usually found in cache logbooks for folks that enjoy the thrill of the hunt more than the material contents of the cache.
TNLNSL / TNSL -Took Nothing. Left Nothing. Signed Logbook / Took Nothing. Signed Logbook.
Travel Bug - A Travel Bug is a hitchiker. Visit the travel bug page to learn more about it.
Virtual (cache) - Adapted from "Virtual Reality," virtual means "nothing there." So a virtual cache means there is no cache container. It's the location that is the cache itself. Nothing is normally traded, except photos and experiences.
WAAS - WAAS stands for Wide Area Augmentation System, but that doesn't really describe what it is. Garmin has an excellent description on WAAS .
Watch list - A watch list is a list of users that are watching a specific travel bug or cache. On some cache pages there is a number of users watching the cache. There is no current functionality to see who those people are.
Waypoint -Waypoints are named coordinates representing points on the surface of the Earth.
Geocaching uses a suggested waypoint for a cache, created automatically when a cache has been created. We generate a waypoint "GC Code" based on the ID of the cache. It is optional, but makes it easier to locate a cache on the geocaching web site.
WGS84 -The most current geodetic datum used for GPS is the World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS84). The significance of WGS84 comes about because GPS receivers rely on WGS84.
Geocaching uses the WGS84 datum by default. We also use the format HDDD MM.MM, which is a standard for GPS receivers (like the eTrex).
HDD- means Hemisphere and degrees. MM.MM are minutes in decimal format. If you have any questions, you can either visit the forums or contact us directly . It is critical that the format is correct, otherwise cachers will be unable to find your cache!
The Geocaching.com glossary is always changing. If you have any additions, contact us.
Archivex This is usually seen when you own a cache. Archiving is basically deleting your cache from the listings on the web site. This usually occurs when you are not going to replace a cache after it has been removed. You can temporarily disable it as the cache owner if you plan to activate it again within a month.
Benchmark See benchmark hunting for more details.
CITO - Cache In Trash Out - When out geocaching, take a bag with you and pick up trash along the way! More info can be found on the Cache In Trash Out page .
Cache -Pronounced "cash" - In geocaching it is a hidden container filled with a log book and pencil/pen, and possibly prizes. Caches were often used by explorers, miners, etc. to hide foodstuffs and other items for emergency purposes. People still hide caches of supplies today for similar reasons.
Geocaching comes from the terms "geo" and "cache" to explain the sport. Some caches have cash in them, but there is no pun intended :)
Datum - A datum is something used as a basis for calculating and measuring. In the case of GPS, datums are different calculations for determining longitude and latitude for a given location. Currently, Geocaching uses the WGS84 datum for all caches. Many maps still use NAD27, which can cause confusion if your GPS unit is set to NAD27. Always check your GPS to ensure that WGS84 is the datum before entering a cache coordinate into your unit.
FTF -First To Find. Usually found in the forums or written in the online or physical log books.
Geomuggle or Muggle -A non-geocacher. Based on "Muggle" from the Harry Potter series, which is a nonmagical person. Usually this term is used after a non geocacher looks puzzled at a geocacher making circles with their GPS receiver, or when a non-geocacher accidentally finds a cache. Geomuggles are mostly harmless. One can purchase "Muggle" cards explaining what you are doing when questioned.
GPS - GPS stands for Global Positioning System. It is a system of satellites that work with a GPS receiver to determine your location on the planet.
Geocaching uses GPS to help hide and seek caches on the planet. For more information on GPS, visit Trimble's web site .
GPSr - Slang for a GPS receiver. Equipment to receive GPS signals for use in navigation.
Hitchhiker - A hitchhiker is an item that is placed in a cache, and has instructions to travel to other caches. Sometimes they have logbooks attached so you can log their travels. A Travel Bug is an example of a hitchhiker.
Latitude - Latitude and longitude create a waypoint. Latitude is the angular distance north or south from the earth's equator measured through 90 degrees. (Listen to this mp3 for an entertaining way to learn about longitude and latitude (thanks to ACME ))
Letterbox(ing) - Letterboxing is similar to Geocaching, but you use a series of clues to find a container. Once you find the container (or letterbox), you take a carved stamp from the box and stamp your personal logbook. You then take your carved stamp and stamp the letterbox's log book. See Letterboxing North America for more info.
Longitude - Latitude and longitude create a waypoint. Longitude is the angular distance measured on a great circle of reference from the intersection of the adopted zero meridian with this reference circle to the similar intersection of the meridian passing through the object. (Listen to this mp3 for an entertaining and non-technical way to learn about longitude and latitude (thanks to ACME ))
Markwelled - When a response to a new post in the forums points you to a similar topic in the past. Based on the user Markwell .
NAD27 Stands for North American Datum 1927. The precursor to WGS84. Many maps still use the NAD27 datum , so always check before using a GPS unit with a map.
Spoiler -A spoiler is information that can give details away and ruin the experience of something. For example, telling someone the end of a movie before they see it. In geocaching, a spoiler gives away details of a cache location and can ruin the experience of the hunt.
TFTC -Thanks for the cache!
TFTH -Thanks for the hunt!
TNLN -Took Nothing. Left Nothing. Usually found in cache logbooks for folks that enjoy the thrill of the hunt more than the material contents of the cache.
TNLNSL / TNSL -Took Nothing. Left Nothing. Signed Logbook / Took Nothing. Signed Logbook.
Travel Bug - A Travel Bug is a hitchiker. Visit the travel bug page to learn more about it.
Virtual (cache) - Adapted from "Virtual Reality," virtual means "nothing there." So a virtual cache means there is no cache container. It's the location that is the cache itself. Nothing is normally traded, except photos and experiences.
WAAS - WAAS stands for Wide Area Augmentation System, but that doesn't really describe what it is. Garmin has an excellent description on WAAS .
Watch list - A watch list is a list of users that are watching a specific travel bug or cache. On some cache pages there is a number of users watching the cache. There is no current functionality to see who those people are.
Waypoint -Waypoints are named coordinates representing points on the surface of the Earth.
Geocaching uses a suggested waypoint for a cache, created automatically when a cache has been created. We generate a waypoint "GC Code" based on the ID of the cache. It is optional, but makes it easier to locate a cache on the geocaching web site.
WGS84 -The most current geodetic datum used for GPS is the World Geodetic System of 1984 (WGS84). The significance of WGS84 comes about because GPS receivers rely on WGS84.
Geocaching uses the WGS84 datum by default. We also use the format HDDD MM.MM, which is a standard for GPS receivers (like the eTrex).
HDD- means Hemisphere and degrees. MM.MM are minutes in decimal format. If you have any questions, you can either visit the forums or contact us directly . It is critical that the format is correct, otherwise cachers will be unable to find your cache!
Help again
Would our most senior geocacher be willing to provide us with a working glossary of the game? What exactly is a travel bug? And how does it differ from a geo-coin? Any guidance would be much appreciated!
This blog a cache?
I wanted to say that as y'all sign on I've been granting admin status (can't spell the priv.... word so I won't try) so feel free to to treat it like a cache and add blog bling or fix anything that's awkward - like that title bar.
security! there must be a cache near!
| Oklahoma | Monday, December 18, 2006 |
 MillerTrio found Want to Go to Wally World/Lewis (Traditional Cache) | |
| This was really fun! We found it after security found us. He was really cool and even helped us with some light. This was our first out-of-state-away-from-home find. | |
this find started a series of encounters with security and law enforcement. some knew about geocaching, some we had to teach.
We drug my sister along for this cache. It was her first. And I "let" her talk to security! Only after I determined that he was in a good mood and friendly did I appear to show him the printed log sheet and actually explain the game. She gave me a really hard time about that and I laughed!
About a month later I was back home in a wooded patch when a real deal police officer found me. He yelled, "What are you doing?" I thought for a moment and then kinda tentatively said, "Geocaching?" His response, "Great! Where's the cache?" I showed him where it was and then he gave me 3 travel bugs. As soon as I got to the car, I called my sister and was laughing so much it was hard to tell the story.
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