Anyone going Geocaching this weekend? **NEW CACHERS...POP IN!**

[MiJo]

Hi Everyone,
I only have a minute before I have to leave for work.
That was very sad news about Marty Banks, the Marine. It's really tough to hear things like that.
Here's an update on our son, David: We have received a couple letters and a couple phone calls. Unfortunately, the first phone call was to tell us he has a hernia that will require surgery and will set him back dramatically. He enters the medical unit today and must wait until the 29th to see a surgeon to schedule the surgery. This could set his graduation date back from 10/13 to sometime in late November or early December. He was doing very well and enjoying life in Navy Boot Camp. Hopefully, he won't get discouraged too much during the upcoming weeks.
Have to go!
I'll be back.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Glad you had such fun caching with your nieces, lilallybean! Glad you got through the snakes, too! We passed one on our way out of a park a couple weekends ago. Black as anything with red triangles I think it was all along the sides. Interesting! I need to find out what kind of snake that was. Caching in the rain! LOL! That was us this weekend also. Turned around to leave. After a couple minutes, it stopped. Okay, turned around again and went after a cache. We're pretty much done with the ones in the park near home. But I'm hesitant on those that are 400'+ into the woods. Yikes! Went after one like that the other day. I thought of you, Mike, when I turned around and saw nothing but trees! I switched from looking at the distance of the cache to the coords to get back to the road! I was within 10 feet of that cache and couldn't find it. Sheesh! Maybe in winter.

There's another couple caches on a path where a sign says..."Warning...Stay on the path. Entering Cottonmouth Habitat." It kills me to not go after these caches! But I'm not a snake fan either. There's a picture posted of a guy holding a Cottonmouth. It looks like there's something over the snake's head and neck. He says leave them alone and they'll leave people alone. He's studying them. YIKES!

Mike...I hope David is up and feeling great soon! So sorry he has to wait so long for his surgery. But it's great to hear that you've heard from him a few times! I will say a prayer that his surgery goes well and he has a quick recovery!!! Keep us posted on how he's doing!

Yes, what happened to Marty Banks is very sad. It just amazed me that he probably would have had one of the most dangerous jobs there, yet he died in a car accident. None of us know when our time is up, that's for sure.

Hope all is well with you, Mike, and you're enjoying your job!

Happy caching!

 

[MiJo]

Hi Everyone,
David was able to get his appointment moved up to yesterday and had successful laproscopy surgery today! He will now be on bed rest for a couple days before being able to resume walking and exercising this weekend. If all goes well, he could be released back to active Boot Camp duty on Monday. If that happens, he could actually rejoin his original Division and graduate on time on 10/13! We are hoping so!
We have our annual Geocaching Fall Picnic on Sunday and we are hoping we can stop by for a while. They are always a good time.
Good caching everyone!

 

[lilallybean]

Yikes! I don't think I could go after those caches either! Not when there are so many and so dangerous snakes in the area that they have to post warnings! Caching in the rain is one of those memories that the kids will remember. It was just too funny...especially slidding in the mud!

Mike so glad his surgery went well! I am sure he will be up and about soon.
Hope that you enjoy your picnic. The fall picnic in this area happens to be onthe weekend that I have to work...LOL oh well!

We still have not placed the caches in our area...I think we may do some of them on Sunday. We have been so busy with the kids getting back into school, and getting ready for the triplets. She is 19 1/2 weeks along now. She will most likely be in the hosp sometime during the next month. Please keep all three babies (Tyler, Parker, and Amber), and Mom in your prayers.

Happy hunting all!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Mike, I'm so glad to hear that David's surgery was moved up...and now over with! I'm sure he'll be up in no time and back to his routine. It's great that he'll most likely be graduating as scheduled! I'd imagine he's more upbeat and looking forward to getting back! Keep us posted on him! And have fun at the picnic on Sunday! Yahoooo!! It seems like it's been quite a while since you've been out there. On Saturday there is a picnic I just found out about in NC. I'd love to go, but I'm not sure I'm ready for a drive there. Seems a waste to leave on Saturday morning when that's the day of the picnic. I'm not too excited about driving there on Friday night. Hmmmmmmmmm...may as well skip this one. But I'm ready for another event!! They always so much fun!!!

lilallybean...Almost two weeks ago now, we were at First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach caching away an afternoon. On our way out after the final for the day, we came across a snake on the path! For a couple days I've been e-mailing with someone from the Park's office trying to identify what snake it is. She finally suggested an eastern mud snake. Sure looks a lot like what I saw! I'm happy to say it's nonpoisonous and a pretty friendly fellow from what I've read. But I'll still keep my distance! And I hope you get your caches placed this weekend!

Not sure where we'll go caching this weekend. I better hurry up and decide.

Happy caching, everyone! Looking forward to more stories!

 

[MiJo]

Hi Fellow Cachers!
Well, another weekend has passed and we did not get to do any caching or attend the picnic. It rained a good part of the day Saturday and we're both suffering from similar ailments: I seem to have a pinched nerve in my neck, and my DW has one in her upper back. We go through periods where they are really bothersome but I'm sure they'll heal up eventually. I think we're also a little tentative to leave the house on weekends in case our DS is allowed to call us! We did receive a 30-minute call on Saturday, even though the medical Division he is in is on "lockdown" due to behavioral problems (not his). David has been made the Division Yeoman and was rewarded for his fine work with a trip to the NEX and a phone call. He was able to make the 1-mile walk each way only 3 days after his surgery and he wasn't even using any pain meds! He meets with the surgeon this morning to determine if he can return to full duty or if he has to remain on light duty for a few more days. His graduation date is still up in the air until she makes her determination. At that point, it will have to be decided if he has time to rejoin his old Division and make up the things he has missed or if he has to fall back a week or two into a different Division. We're hoping he can rejoin his old Division since we would be able to see him in less than 3 weeks and we already have our plane tickets and hotel ressies. Either way, we'll just be thankful to see him graduate. We are hoping to do a little geocaching while in IL so we should be getting out again soon. We do have a few things left to do around the property that take precedence right now and are limiting our outings.

Sorry to hear about the snake encounters! My DW hates them but she is getting better at looking at them. She walked the dogs down our road last week and saw a dead milk snake (very small one). She actually looked at it to try to figure out what it was. That was pretty brave of her, actually!

Well, it's time to get ready for work. Good caching everyone!
Mike

 

[Pin Wizard]

Hope all went well with David's visit to the surgeon! It must be tough to hear from him only when someone says he can call. I wouldn't do well with that for sure. But you've been there, so I'm sure you know all about it.

Keeping busy is good! Maybe you'll get out Geocaching soon. Sorry you missed the picnic. They're always such fun. We headed to VA Beach on Saturday. Did okay, missed a few, then sat in unbelievable traffic since the tunnel back had a working crew in there. It was shut down to one lane rather than two. Ugh! LOL! Could have been worse though. I heard that Sunday's traffic was backed up to Chesapeake! Holy cow! There was no way I was going back to VA Beach or anywhere on that side on Sunday. We headed to Williamsburg instead. A good weekend caching! Trying to see where we'll head this weekend. Anyone else notice it's darker earlier?

Happy caching!

 

[lilallybean]

It really is getting darker here much sooner than it had been. This is my favorite time of year. I love the crisp air, the cool nights and most importantly that the snakes will be going into hibernation!
I am so excited...we just got high speed internet and I can not believe the differance!!! Pages load so quickly now!
I also feel like a horrible Mom... Yesterday I had a call at work that my 12 y/o DS was at school crying because his wrist hurt sooo bad. He had been skateboarding and fallen several days before. Initial injury was a month ago and he did get seen in the ER...just a sprain. Well, I picked him up and pretty much decided that there was some reason why he didn't want to be at school. We couldn't get into the Dr. until today at 2. Found out that the poor kid has a fracture!
Hope all is well with the rest of you. Happy hunting!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Oh, I hope your son's arm is better soon, lilallybean! Fractures really do hurt. I fractured my elbow when I fell backwards rollerskating when I was in my 20s. OUCH! Only I went home and to bed that night! It wasn't until the next morning that I told my parents and went for x-rays. Not fun. And be careful with the skateboarding!!! Make sure he ALWAYS wears a helmet and follows the safety rules.

Congrats on the high speed internet! I had cable internet access for a while and ditched it. The cable company here isn't the greatest. I'm back on dial up ever since...LOLOLOLOL!! At least it works. People on a board I visit couldn't understand how I lost electricity when the storm was here a couple weeks ago, but I could still use the internet. LOL! That's because the phone line was still working. Hey!!!! A PLUS for dial up!

I agree that it's the best time of year coming up weather wise. I'll take the Fall and Spring any time! I'm waiting for the bears to hibernate before heading back to the Dismal Swamp for the rest of the caches. I guess that's not until WINTER! Hmmmmmmmmmmm...let's hope it's not too chilly for caching at that point!

Happy caching!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Holy cow! There are a LOT of bears in that swamp!


http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=110615&ran=12543

Dismal Swamp refuge will hold first bear hunt in December

By AARON APPLEGATE, The Virginian-Pilot
© September 8, 2006 | Last updated 9:12 PM Sep. 7

SUFFOLK - The Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge will hold its first black bear hunt in December, wildlife officials announced Thursday.

Interested hunters can sign up for a lottery for one of the 100 permits, which will cost $50 apiece, for the two-day hunt. Officials are capping the maximum number of bears killed at 20.

Interest from hunters and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries prompted the hunt, scheduled for Dec. 1-2, said Suzanne Baird, manager of the Great Dismal Swamp Wildlife Refuge.

http://welcome.hamptonroads.com/epilot/index.cfm

Two studies in the past 20 years estimated the refuge's bear population at between 275 and 350, a level that would not be severely affected by a hunt, Baird said.

"We worked with state biologists to evaluate impacts, and basically the decision was that a small hunt done late in the season will have negligible impact on the population and will provide an opportunity for people to hunt bears," she said.

The National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 made hunting one of the six "priority public uses" for refuges.

Deer hunting has been allowed in the refuge since it was created in 1974.

The bear hunt will take place on 21,000 acres divided into two sections in the Virginia part of the 111,200-acre refuge. Bear hunting will not be allowed in the North Carolina section of the refuge.

Hunters are required to use 20-gauge or larger shotguns and use slugs, not buckshot. No dogs or baiting will be allowed.

For more information, call the wildlife refuge at (757) 986-3705.

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[lilallybean]

Oh my!!! I have not had to worry about bears while caching! LOL...good luck with that! Have you ever seen one while out hunting and is there a warning on the cache page about them? I think I just may be more worried about running across a bear than a snake. LOL!

 

[Pin Wizard]

Maybe they should create an attribute for bears! Not many of the caches along the trail mention it. There is a sign at the entrance to the trail that shows the animals that live there. This is probably the best description of any of the cache pages...

"The Dismal Swamp Canal Trail is paved, 2 lanes wide, 6 miles long and open to hikers, bikers, horseback riders and rollerbladers. There are several places to stop along the way with benches and picnic tables. The day we placed these 8 caches we biked 11.5 miles in about 3 hours. It is open sunrise to sunset. Please honor those hours as this area is home to animals such as black bear, fox and other animals that travel and hunt at night. Remember you are along the canal bank, insects and snakes could be a problem in warm weather."

No, I haven't seen a bear...thank goodness! I would probably if I did! Then I would be his dinner I guess.

 

[Pin Wizard]

Woooooo hoooooooo!!! I can't wait to go caching tomorrow! I'm going with another cacher who will show me how her PDA works! A couple nights ago I did my first Pocket Query and e-mailed it to her. She says there's about 195 caches in the area that we both haven't found yet. Yea! And I think I'll stop at Bass Pro Shops to see if they have the cable I need to download waypoints to my GPS. Last time I bought one I took it back because it was a connection for a desk top computer. I need a UBS for this laptop. Cross your fingers they have it now!

Anyone else doing anything exciting this weekend?

 

[MiJo]

Well, I thought I had better stop by for a short visit before heading off to work. I haven't been on for a couple weeks, at least!
Our DS, David, managed to get caught up to his original Division and he graduated from Navy Boot Camp on Friday! We spent most of the weekend with him and we also "adopted" one of his buddies on Friday and Saturday. We had a great time with them but, alas, we did not even get to turn on the GPS. So, we still haven't been caching for a couple months. Hopefully, things will start to work out for us and we will be back in the field soon. Anyway, David is now in Pensacola, FL, for his "A" School and should be there through Christmas. We may see him here at home for the Holidays, but we're not sure yet.
I have to run.
Good caching, everyone!

 

[Pin Wizard]

It's great to see you, Mike! Congratulations to David on his graduation! Yeaaaaaaaaa!! So glad to hear that he was able to hook up with his original division.

I wouldn't mind being in Pensacola right now. We went looking for a cache after work yesterday. Found the first part okay. Headed to the second part that was only 300 some odd feet away. Lead into a wooded area. At 6:40 p.m. it was already getting darker. And in the woods it was darker yet. We were only about 40 feet from it and spotted the likely spot, but I'm putting it off until we have plenty of daylight. I wouldn't want to accidentally get close to a snake! LOL!

It seems the caches in Virginia Beach are getting fewer and farther between. Doing more driving to get from one to the next. Then there's the ones I'm ignoring all together. LOL! Two or three out in a swamp. Forget it! The finds are getting less and less in a day. We need some closer together! I guess that means I need another trip to Richmond! Ugh. LOL! Not sure I want to go there this weekend.

Saturday I used phone-a-friend for one cache. Funny how different people have different things come to mind while reading a hint! I found it while on the phone with her. Yea! Scratch that one off the DNF list. Then I stopped by her house for a while. Had a nice chat, and my son informed me that we were there 5 hours. LOL! Like he had somewhere else to go. Her husband was deployed on a ship in the beginning of October. Yesterday he did is first cache in a foreign country! Wooo hoooo!! It's hilarious to read his log. He says that he rarely runs into someone out on the trail. But a muggle was sitting right where he needed to check. He thought...just my luck! In a foreign country, and a muggle was in the way. LOL! The person turned and asked him and his buddies if they were Geocaching! LOLOLOL! This person was yet from another country and Geocaching there. LOL! Small world.

So glad tomorrow is Friday! I guess I better start planning some kind of route for caching. Hope you soon have a chance to get out, Mike! And have fun with Erin if you don't.

lilallybean...Hope all is well!! With you too, any lurkers!

 

[lilallybean]

I was starting to wonder if our lil thread had died off. So glad you all posted again. Things are good here, but I too have been too busy too do any caching. We have my sisters last baby/baby/baby shower on Saturday and then right after that my DD's 8th birthday party (Tinkerbell theme ). I hope that after all this we can do some caches. I have my apple all set to place. I am so pleased with how it turned out! I will have to try and post a pic of it for you to see. Thanks again Mike for letting me steal your idea. I actually think we will do a whole fruit theme. I have been working on a list of possible hides...The "KIWI" need to open the cache, "Olive" to cache (did ya know an olive is a fruit? ),Can you find this "Pear" of caches (a multi of course), what a "Grape" day for a cache, "Lemon" know what you think of the cache. I don't know...just thought with my working in the mental health field it would be approp...not that I am a fruit cake or anything !

Sandy-I can sooo understand waiting until you can see to do finish up that cache! I really thought that it was getting too cold for the snakes here but NOOOO...they are still out in full force! I can also understand how it is having to drive a ways to get a cache. I have done most of the ones near us. The ones left are just way too much for me. Those puzzle ones by Know Future are tough!

Mike, that is great news that your son has recovered so quickly! Sounds like he is very committed to his duties! Please keep us all posted on him! Hope that you can get some more hunts in soon!

 

[ElizK]

Hey! Maybe you pros could help me! We went geocacheing a couple of weeks ago for the very first time with some friends. What fun! And I was the one that finally found the cache! Pretty cool. Anyway, now my DH is hooked, and I'd like to get him an inexpensive handheld GPS unit for Christmas. We're talking about $100.00 or so max. I know that's not a lot, but all I'm able to spend. But I don't even know what to look for, what features are "must have", etc. Can you help?? I would really appreciate any advice you could offer. Thanks!

 

[lilallybean]

Welcome to the fun game of geocaching! It is very addictive and the most fun I have ever had exercising! Wal~Mart has a GPS for $100. I bought it for my little brother and he loves it! It is a Magellen...orange in color I think. I hope that helps you out some. Who knows maybe the day after Thanksgiving somebody will have a special price on them! Good luck!

 

[MiJo]

Hi ElizK: You might want to check this Magellan Explorist 210 out. We have had one for about a year and really like it. It's a little more than $100 but well worth it. You can look around the Internet for a better price but this one is probably the best you will find:
GPS 210
Have fun geocaching!

 

[ElizK]

Thanks, ya'll. I will check out both of your recommendations. I can't wait to go again! I felt like a little kid on a treasure hunt!