Geocaching

[Syekick]

I've been geocaching on/off for years. I found it mentioned on the forum but no further leads. Thought I give more info as I believe we camping/hiking types would enjoy hearing more about it.

For those of you who have a GPS and want an interesting activity while traveling and camping I think you'll enjoy geocaching. It also gives the kids a lot of fun running around in the woods

http://www.geocaching.com/


They also offer "Travel Bugs" that you can release into the wild and then track. Or living vicariously through your travel bug as my wife likes to say. We have one we released last year who's mission was to travel the world. Right now it is in Switzerland.

Here's the photo link to "Wandering Sailor on a delta glider ramp overlooking Drei-Länder-Blick, Switzerland

http://img.groundspeak.com/track/log/20 ... b183d8.jpg

[ahjones3]

If you don't have a GPSR, Geocaching is a good reason to buy another "tool". Also, "Gee Honey, if we had a portable GPSR we would never have to ask for directions again!" You might think there aren't any caches near where you camp, but you would be amazed. Check it out. It's great fun.
Al.

[campadk]

I just bought a Garmin 276C the other day. Not for geocaching, but I must say it is a hoot! I'll never get lost for a second any more.

At times it says accuracy is within 2m.. although I doubt that is correct. Isn't it 9m if it picks up 12 satellites?

[dmb90260]

I just purchased a Garmin GPS 10. I hope you have better luck than I did. The box did not have the owners manual that was listed on the box. When I contacted Support they claimed the set-up guides were the manual even though they are listed as separate items on the box. Some of the other models have manuals to download, not this one. Their answer was

Sir, I apologize of the setup guides do not provide enough information, were confusing, or, did not include as much information as you would like. Is there any thing else that I can answer for you? If necessary please feel free to contact technical support at the 800 number in the close of this Email.

Not what I call helpful. I get more help with a new coffee pot.

[twc3]

I've been geocaching on/off for years.

When I read your post I was not sure what that was I had a suspicion it was something to do with Geography. I went to that web site and - well - I have since gone out and purchased a Garmin Etrex Legend and after 4 good caches in my area I now have a PDA ordered.

I am not sure if I should thank you for turning me on to this great outdoor recreation or scream at you because now I have something else to spend money on.

But really WOW - Thanks for the tip.

TC

[AmyH]

I received one of the yellow etrex units for Christmas this past year, and even though I have only done one geocache, it was a blast. I am really looking forward to doing some while out camping. This is a great outdoor activity to do with children as well! My neices are having a lot of fun participating with their parents (they got the same yellow etrex for Christmas). There are also these great little geocoins or geotokens that people make to place in caches, check out http://www.geocities.com/team_fisur/geo-creations/index.html and you can see some of the neat stuff that people make. Maybe if enough teardroppers on this site are interested we should think of making a special geocoin or geotoken for T&TTT, or even T&TTT Travel Bugs?

Amy

[roadtrippin]

Uh oh. I feel a new addiction coming on. And a need to upgrade our gps unit... But then, I won't have much talking to do since we'd already decided to upgrade it. Hmmm our anniversary is coming up. "Hunny, look what I bought you".

[JunkMan]

Maybe if enough teardroppers on this site are interested we should think of making a special geocoin or geotoken for T&TTT, or even T&TTT Travel Bugs?

Amy

Amy,

That sounds neat. I am also just starting, but travel bugs sound like fun. Not really sure what the geocoins are for.

I picked a micro cache for my first attempt, have looked for it twice, and still haven't found it. The person that placed the cache said it was a tough one, and offered me a clue, but I want to find it without any additional help. I'll probably do some easier ones this week to get a better idea of what I am doing, then try the micro again.

I'm using an old Magellen that I picked up at a yard sale real cheap. Hope to get a better unit soon, but can't decide what I want. Really want one with topo maps that we can use hiking.

[AmyH]

JunkMan, I haven't tried a micro yet, but I hear they can be really tough. Good luck finding that one. As for geocoins and geotokens, they are really just signature items that some geocachers like to make and leave at different caches. Sort of a "I was here" type of tag. There are geocachers that really like to trade and collect these signature items, and some of them are pretty darned neat. What I think would be really cool is a cute little teardrop trailer microbug (travel bug). If they were set up similar to the travel bugs sold by geocaching.com they could be tracked individually.

When I get into it more, I will probably want another, better, GPSr myself. I really like the Garmin 60cs, and it is set up for doing geocaching, with extra features. For now, the little yellow etrex works pretty well,

Amy

[roadtrippin]

Speaking of geocaching,

I am a L&O:CI nut and I was thinking as I was catching up with Tivo that it would be an interesting subject to do a show about geocaching. Lo and behold, this sundays ep involves a murder surrounding geocaching.

[JunkMan]

Amy,

I was on a geocaching forum, and was reading about some of the micro caches, and disguised caches, and was amazed at the extent some people will go to hide or camafloge their caches.

I like the idea of coins. Wonder how much they cost? I checked the geocaching site, and there are several geocaches near Minden, NE. I'll have to bring my GPS to the Teardrop gathering and try to find some caches. Might have to think about a teardrop travel bug also, that would be fun.

roadtrippin,

I usually don't watch L&O:CI but might have to watch the geocaching episode.

[roadtrippin]

YAY! We found our first two geocaches today! Doggies are collapsed behind me and I am seriously considering it myself before the concert. There's one more I'd like to hit before the concert.

We have an Etrex Summit which I SUPPOSE gets the job done but I'd really like a newer thing. But wife sez not until we get the bank account under control.

[mikeschn]

We found several geocaches this weekend. The first couple we did without GPS, but it was so much fun, we picked up a Magellan Gold and did some deep woods caches.

I was really hoping to find a travel bug, but that cache seems to have disappeared.

See what you guys have done to me!!!

Mike...

[roadtrippin]

Found a micro today at the rhododendron park down the hill from where I live. I never knew rhodies came in so many brilliant colors!

[rheagler]

In a roundabout kind of way geocaching was how I found this forum. We started geocaching this past January. I first read about it in the Jeep owners magazine and thought it sounded like fun. I got a gift certificate from Cabela's for Christmas so I used it towards a Magellan Sport-trac Map, came with topographic map software. The girlfriend was hooked on the first find. Anyway, while geocaching in state parks we noticed that the campgrounds are pretty nice in most of them, so I started searching for a lightweight camping trailer. Now I'm addicted to teardrops and geocaching. As soon as I get enough extra loot together, I'll have to start a tear. I really like the way the generic plans are going. I will probably do something along those lines.