bytemobile's Geoblog

Dec 29, 2005

Stary Night

By: EricsBrat Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I used to attend star parties with the Santa Cruz Astronomy Club, and went to Fremont Peak for a star party once, but I haven't been to one here. I took the Hogwarts card and left Bytemobile turtle #186.

. . . doch all!

By: nostrada (adopted by Marky & Joani) Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Small

I zeroed out near the cache, then wandered off a bit, looked back and spotted it. At first I thought the container might be rusted shut, but you just have to put the right twist on it. I left turtle #189.

. . . O kommet . . .

By: nostrada (adopted by Marky & Joani) Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Small

I looked around a little, then stood about 10 feet from the cache and read the description and the hint. When I looked up, I spotted the cache right off. I left signature turtle #188.

Ihr Kinderlein, . . .

By: nostrada Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Small

I was just getting underway on my own little deathmarch, and this was a quick stop along the way. I took the Rufus The Cat wooden nickel and left turtle #187.

Hurtin' Tree

By: Team Nazgul Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Small

The visibility dropped down to about 300 yards along here. I was happy that there wasn't much of a breeze, because I would have been chilled in my sweat-soaked shirt. I had a look around and was about to turn on the PDA to read about the cache when I spotted a possible hiding spot, and it turned out to have the cache.

Grant Overlook: 2,400 feet

By: Team Nazgul Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Small

I checked out the nearby stage of one of the mbrill epic multi's and it was in fine shape. There was a bike rider at the overlook, with his bike leaned against the picnic table. He was the only other person I had seen this morning, other than the ranger who let me into the park at a little after 8 am. I was fairly lucky in finding the cache. I walked right by it, about a foot from my nose. The cache had accumulated some moisture, so I dried it with my shirt tail.

Rock Overlook

By: DavidT21 & Fisherwoman Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

This cache has been lonely for a few months, so I decided to stop by and see it. The cache is fine, but the area around it needs a little CITO work. I hauled out four Budweiser bottles.

Take A Break!

By: CKayaks Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Micro

I did take a break because it took a little while to find the cache. I couldn't see it, but managed to find it by feel.

Brush Trail View

By: CKayaks Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Small

I spotted the objective from a 100 feet or so. The meadow is a nice color of green this time of year.

Snell Barn

By: bullit and Marky Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

My GPSr took me to the right spot, then I read the hint and immediately spotted the cache.

Brush Trail Bay Tree

By: CKayaks Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Small

I was happy with the posted coordinates. It was a little outside the tree, but they took me where I needed to be.

Heron Trail View

By: bullit and Marky Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Small

I managed to find this one before reading the description or hint. For some reason, the cache had collected a little water and the log was wet. I dried out the cache with my shirt tail and made sure I snapped the lid on securely. I left turtle #190.

Hilltop...Almost

By: CKayaks Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Micro

On the way to this cache, I came across a group of a dozen or so wild pigs. The largest of the group stood in the trail and had a look at me, then lead the group away on the run.

Finally A Flat!

By: CKayaks Difficulty: 3.5 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Small

The views were slightly impaired today, but the temperature was great for hiking.

Deer Me!

By: CKayaks Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Micro

On the way to this cache I spotted a wild pig grazing near the trail. He heard me or smelled me and raised his head. I was pleased that his pride did not prevent him from running across the trail and into the brush. If he had shown me his tusks and taken a couple steps toward me, I would have been willing to do the running. Yes, thst is quite a curiosity near the cache.

Dec 27, 2005

Somewhere with No Strings Attached

By: catomcat Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I had a brief look for this once before, but today, I was a little more thorough. Thanks!

Look Out Below

By: SlumDweller Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Small

Many months ago, I got Mrs. Bytemobile to have a look for this one with me, but we failed. Today, I used The Rat's measurement, and came up with it pretty quickly.

Sushi Cache

By: Team SARS Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I was heading for an early morning appointment, and decided I had just enough time to stop for this one. It took a bit of wandering and wondering, but I finally got it. The latch on the contain is evidently broken, but I guess it is OK for now.

Doubles Anyone?

By: The Watkins Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

The courts were damp and empty this morning. No problem finding the cache. Thanks!

Ivy meets wood

By: alpharomero.com, adopted by yTKa Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

The cache title was all I needed for this one. Thanks!

Dec 23, 2005

Shoreline Trailhead

By: MotorBug Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I came out at lunchtime, and it was much more pleasant than yesterday.

Diversity

By: MotorBug Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Lots of folks and lots of birds out at lunchtime today.

Sandpipers

By: MotorBug Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Great day to get some salt air on a walk along the bay.

Dec 22, 2005

Tear Down This Wall!

By: MotorBug Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

The rain was coming down pretty heavy when I rolled up. Fortunately, there was a parking place right next to the cache. It's amazing the the things you see geocaching. Thanks!

Sylvan Park

By: MotorBug Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I got out here at lunchtime, while the rain was still fairly light. I took winini's special token.

Dec 21, 2005

Just Half a Trail

By: workerofwood Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

My last stop on the workerofwood lunchtime tour. I only found half the cache, but was able to sign the log. I was glad I put my walking shoes on since the half trail is full of black clay.

Baylands Backdoor

By: workerofwood Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

Continuing the workerofwood lunchtime tour. I left turtle #184.

Look, but don't Touch

By: workerofwood Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I came out for the workerofwood lunchtime tour. No problem finding this one.

Bus Bench Bugaloo #2

By: southbayday Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

I came out for a lunchtime caching break. I left signature turtle #183.

Dec 16, 2005

Lakeshore Picnic Cache

By: GeoBrowns (adopted by Gitonyerhorse) Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I thought this was an interesting hide. I haven't seen anything quite like it before.

Bay Crossing

By: Rogue Ramblers Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Small

Sorry, I picked up Worried Grapes and forgot to log him.

Pfeiffer Trout Farm

By: 47russ47 Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Small

Thanks for the historical note and pictures. It is interesting to see what went on here years ago. I left signature turtle #181.

Rodeo Creek

By: British Invasion Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I headed out for a hike this morning, and saw that this was along the way, so I made a stop. Thanks!

FORE!!!!!!

By: Sharkz Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I saw another container just like the cache before I spotted the cache, so it took me a little while to process the information and figure it all out. Thanks for a fun one!

TC-No Man's Land

By: popeye2 Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Small

I did a little homework for this cache and picked a route, but failed to take a couple waypoints with me. Instead of being a fairly routine little hike, I managed to turn it into an adventure since I wasn't able to execute it as planned. I found a fairly flat little trail that took me to less than 500 feet from the cache. I started up the hill from there, following a deer trail. That soon became the "too low for a deer trail", then finally, "a rabbit would be crazy to go through here" trail. I worked my way back down and around the hill and finally found the nice little trail that the cache was along. I left turtle #180. Thanks for the adventure!

Tony Look

By: WalruZ Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Small

I has been a while since I've been along the back side of the reservoir. I don't remember this much hill climbing, but I guess that is just as well. I left signature turtle #182. Thanks!

Dam Cachers 2

By: The Petoskey Stones Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Regular

I came by this morning for a hike at Stevens Creek, and this was the first stop on my list. I had forgotten I had the Worried Grapes travel bug until this morning, so I decided to drop him here. I also left turtle #179.

Dec 15, 2005

Before Birthday Breakfast

By: Joani Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Not chosen

Sign me up.

Dec 11, 2005

Go to the Head of the Cache

By: STP Ron Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I didn't have time for a hike late this afternoon, but found the trailhead cache and this one and headed back. Thanks!

Valley Oak

By: workerofwood Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I was in the area and couldn't resist having a look for another WOW cache. I didn't have much time, but luckily spotted something that drew my attention after a short look around.

Civil war in California?

By: ChrissySkyking+Blaze (maintained by kindredla Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Very interesting spot. Looks like some of the grave markers could use a little maintenance. The Coin Quest game brought me up here today.

Ravenswood Fishing Pier

By: TeamAlamo Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Just one couple fishing here at midday, and they had left by the time I got back from my little hike.

Baylands, Then and Now

By: MotorBug Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

The CHP parked nearby, watching traffic made me a little self conscious, but I just read the displays and casually grabbed the cache. I guess he didn't see me run the stop sign for the trail crossing just down the way.

Bay Crossing

By: Rogue Ramblers Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Small

This one took me a while. I eliminated some possibilities, then finally came up with an idea that panned out. I had never seen these pipes up close.

Ravenswood Trail

By: MotorBug Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I was headed over the Dumbarton today, and now there were four caches to find here, so I couldn't resist stopping.

McAbee Trailhead

By: Alamogul Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I picked this cache to finish up the Coin Quest game, but I was a little worried about all the DNFs. I didn't have any trouble, though. I guess the last hider left just enough of the cache visible for me to spot it.

Dec 10, 2005

Top, Middle, Bottom?

By: rightseatsis Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Small

I continued on the rightseatsis tour, but probably in the wrong order. I just hiked to the next nearest cache. This was a great day for a SF hike.

Sr. Verissimma's Playground

By: rightseatsis Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Regular

I approached this one from above, but I hiked on down, and eventually had to come back up. It took a little poking around, but I eventually spotted it. It was a great day for views in SF.

Sr. Verissimma's Science Class

By: rightseatsis Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I zeroed out 20 feet away or so, but I eventually wandered over and spotted the cache. It is in fine shape.

Day St Park

By: rightseatsis Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

My GPSr had been warning me that the batteries were low. I had replacements in my pack, but I left the pack in the car for this urban hike. This was my last cache of the afternoon, and the GPSr conked out just as I got to the area of the cache. That turned out to be fine, and I made an easy find. There were boys on the ball field, but not that much traffic on the sidewalk.

(#6) Rest Stop on the Hill

By: rightseatsis Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

This urban hiking is just as tough as the trails. You don't often run into grades as steep as the ones around here.

Secret Garden

By: misteracj Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

This was my first San Francisco cache. It was sort of random. I got off I-280, and this was the closest cache. It was an nice cache, and quite unique. Thanks!

Dec 9, 2005

Geocoin Trading Event

By: bullit Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Other

Wow, saw lots of coins.

Dec 7, 2005

101 TFTs - Two Pair

By: winini Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

I would call that more that slightly to the east, but the coordinates are updated, and all is good. I left signature turtle #178. Thanks!

Dec 4, 2005

They Went Thataway

By: MikieP & Mrs. P Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Not chosen

Mrs. Bytemobile were on our way home from camping at Half Moon Bay today. We were towing our travel trailer, but I got the OK to head slightly north on 280 before heading home. Looks like very few people who stop here actually trudge up the hill to have a look. Thanks for the cache!

Dec 3, 2005

Can You Hear Me Now?

By: TBD & D and Belmont 4-H Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Regular

I parked at McNee ranch and a nice hike up here on a great December morning. I was surprised at how many people were on the trails. I expected this to be more of a solitary hike. Great views in all directions! I left signature turtle #177.

Harold and Maude

By: Maddy & Kent Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Regular

I was doing the Theodore's Walk multi, and this was just a short detour along the way. Great views today -- I could see the Farallons.

Bane of the Cache Potato

By: robotman Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Regular

I was on a different part of the mountain last summer and it was foggy and windy. Today, I could see the bay and Mt. Diablo on one side and the Farallons and the edge of the world on the other. I hiked up from McNee Ranch. I left signature turtle #172.

Theodore's Walk: Which Way Should We Go?

By: Kindergarten Teacher Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Micro

Theodore must enjoy his walks here. I wonder about the history of that old bunker along the trail. I found the cache, then continued on up the trail to find the Harold and Maude cache.

Theodore's Walk: Remembrance

By: Kindergarten Teacher Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I didn't read the cache description ahead of time. I just parked here after completing a hike at Montara Mountain, and hiked to all the caches in the series from here. It seems like a very nice and well-used area. I walked over to the cache area, set my GPSr about three inches from the cache, read the hint on my PDA, then found the cache.

Theodore's Walk: Final Reward

By: Kindergarten Teacher Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Small

I had a bit of trouble finding the cache. It was probably 20 or 30 feet from where I zeroed out, which should not be the case at this spot which has a great view of the sky (and the ocean!). I was worried that a recent storm might have sent the cache down the slope, but it was nice and cozy on its perch. I just had to get in the right position to spot it. Thanks for the series!

Theodore's Walk: Java & Gems

By: Kindergarten Teacher Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

My walk would have been much shorter if I had stopped by here first, but that's OK, I got to see the whole bike trail.

Dec 2, 2005

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