bytemobile's Geoblog

Feb 26, 2006

Picchetti Ranch Open Space Preserve ~ MROSD

By: MROSD (adopted from ladybug54 & trode) Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

I ran into Motorbug on the trail and he hiked back with me to this one. There are still lots of peacock items in the cache. I left signature turtle #223.

Zinfandel 5

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

I didn't have any trouble with the coordinates, but I didn't pay that much attention to my GPSr. I saw a likely spot and some recent leaf disturbance that lead five feet off the trail. Thanks!

Gone Fishing

By: Orienteering Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Regular

I came to the park this morning for a rash of new caches, and stopped for this one on the way out. The rain was starting to fall lightly at this point. I didn't have any fishing gear to trade, so I just signed the log.

Don't Be Left In The Dark

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

This was an easy find for me. Motorbug was kneeling in the trail, putting the cache back together as I walked up. I turned around here to park my car below for the remaining caches.

I Love Legos

By: zapboy Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Regular

My notifications were evidently set up only for traditional caches, so I didn't see this one this morning when I headed out. Motorbug gave me the coordinates of the first stage when I met him on the trail, so I gave it a try. I was a little slow to figure out that both projects had to be assembled at the same time, but I finally caught on and found the second stage in one try. Thanks!

50 Feet High (formerly Knee High)

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

STF - 10:00 am. I actually had visions of a FTF, but I lingered over the Sunday paper too long. Sharkz beat me by about 35 minutes. I parked at Picchetti Ranch, and it is a fairly flat hike to the cache from there. I took the Sharkz tooth and left turtle #222.

Feb 24, 2006

SERENITY

By: Rosy3 Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Micro

It looks like the enticement has worked in spades. This is almost a power caching trail now. SteveL had already found this one, so he stepped back and watched MotorBug and I wander around. I zeroed out directly across the trail from the cache. MotorBug wandered over first and gave the cache a poke with his hiking stick, then stepped back across the road and let me finish the job.

Lexington View

By: workerofwood Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 4.0 Container: Regular

I had been planning to do this someday, and the explosion of caches in the area finally brought me here. I came in from ES02 on a hike with SteveL and MotorBug, but extended the hike a little and came down here by myself to grab a couple more caches. The cache is exposed enough that I spotted it from 50 feet away, but I guess this area doesn't get that much traffic. I left signature turtle #221.

Alpha Ten - Confunction Junction

By: Thefogheads Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Small

The coordinates are excellent. SteveL and MotorBug had already found this one, so they waited while I grabbed this one and signed. Thanks!

Switchback View

By: MotorBug Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Small

I had no doubt that we would find this one with MotorBug watching us. The coordinates were right on. I just had to get in the right position to see it.

On The Trail Again

By: MotorBug Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Regular

I parted ways with MotorBug and SteveL at the start of this trail. I still had a little energy left and wanted to grab the two caches down here while I was in the area. The coordinates were great, and the cache was not that hard to grab, but someone wearing shorts might disagree with me. I left signature turtle #220.

ES02 El Sereno OSP (Nazgul Secret Trailhead #5)

By: Team Nazgul Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Small

I joined in a hike today with SteveL and MotorBug. We hiked up from Steve's place, which is a fair uphill jaunt just to the trailhead. I headed off in the wrong direction here, while my companions made the find.

Another Reason

By: Kealia Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Regular

MotorBug and SteveL hiked on up with me to this one even though they had both found it before. We met a couple of Sierra Club members here planning their next hike and MotorBug explained geocaching to them. I zeroed out right next to the cache and had no trouble spotting it. I left Bytemobile turtle #218 and took Bullit bullet #212.

Umunhum Point

By: bullit Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Small

We could see a long way today, but there was a bit of haze. Motorbug headed straight for the cache again, while I was wandering. It was nice to have some company today since it seemed to make the trail alot easier.

Feb 23, 2006

Dead Duck

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

I had my bike loaded in my car from riding around on other nearby levies over the last week, so I decided to make this my lunchtime objective. The Sunnyvale Baylands was busy today, with lots of cars in the lot and lots of runners on the trails. Thanks!

Feb 21, 2006

SC Fire - Stars and Stripes

By: frivlas Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I came out at lunchtime for a look and didn't spot it right away. I wandered for a while, then finally spotted something of interest. Thanks!

SC Fire - Agnew Station

By: nielsenc Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I came out for a lunchtime tour of fire stations, and this was the second stop. The coordinates were good, and I was able to spot the cache quickly, even though it was pretty well covered.

Feb 20, 2006

Buggy

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

I was caching through this part of San Jose today, and made a quick stop here. I used the hint and got the cache on the first grab. Thanks!

Does it take all night?

By: Andrew W. Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

Both stages were in good order. The elaborate camp across the creek was occupied by three or four folks today.

Hounds Haven

By: DR. Doolitte, the Mrs. & Zoo Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Regular

The park was quite busy today, so luckily this was a relatively quick find. Thanks!

Natural Camouflage

By: johnnyb5 Difficulty: 3.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

My caching luck was running toward the good today. This was a relatively short hunt for a micro in the woods. It was nice meeting kaesky at the cache site.

Tee Off

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

I like to grab these older caches. I didn't know the course was here, either. It was very busy today, with very little parking available along the street. Thanks!

Stonegate's Gate: Coyote Creek Trail's End

By: STP Ron Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I tackled this one like a rookie. First, I didn't read the cache description. After wandering aimless up and down the trail, a golfer asked me "How does it look?" I finally got in the vicinity of the cache, and had the wrong picture in my mind of what it should look like. I finally spotted something of interest an it was the cache.

Your Turn, San Jose

By: STP Ron Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Today is my lucky day for this type of hide. It usually takes a lots of looking and bush beating, but I spotted this one right off. Thanks!

Coyote Creek Los Lagos

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

After some bad karma at the last stop, I walked right up to this one without needing a hint. Thanks!

Basking on the Ridge

By: STP Ron Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I was in the area with my bike, so it made sense to do this one today. I knocked off the stages fairly quickly except for the one by the fence that had me stumped for a while. Thanks!

Coyote Creek Driving

By: STP Ron Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

My good luck continued, and I put my hand in the right spot, even though the cache was well concealed. Thanks!

Trail's End, Coyote Creek in Stonegate Park

By: STP Ron Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I loaded up my bike and headed down here at midday. I parked on the street and headed down the trail to make this my first stop. Found it with no problem.

Coyote Creek Golf Crossing

By: STP Ron Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

My caching karma had indeed changed. I parked my bike, took a couple steps where the grass had been trodden, and spotted the cache without reading the hint.

Feb 18, 2006

Small park, regular cache

By: yungman Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

I used the hint and found it quickly. It was a bit exposed. It is nice to see a regular sized cache now and again.

The Station 2 Cache

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

An unexpected trip this morning brought me brought me to Redwood City with a little time on my hands. I used the facilities here, and with a load off my mind, was able to find the cache. Thanks!

Fair Oaks Cache

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

I was headed through Redwood City this morning, and this cache fit right into my route. Thanks!

A Little Logic

By: kablooey Difficulty: 3.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I solved this ages and ages ago, then DNFed ages ago, and finally this morning, I was headed along 101 and had time to have a look. The nearby encampment is quite neat, with tent, tables, chairs, and recycling bins.

Hoover

By: Bodster Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

This cache is at the far edge of my weekly query of the 500 closest unfound traditional caches. I was heading home, had a little caching time, and this was a logical place to start. Lots of sports activity here this morning.

Just around the corner... now improved!!

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

3:15 pm -- I was happy to see this one revived since it was my first ever geocache find. The contents are now a little less surprising, but the workmanship is good.

Spider Den

By: ChrissySkyking + Blaze (adopted by CaliSeaSta Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

I had the right spot the first try, but missed it and investigated serveral other spots before coming back for a second pass. I think wariness of the park ranger in the parking lot made me miss it. Thanks!

Almost Natural

By: Rocket Girl and DuckeyLee Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Small

I had lots of muggle-free search time when I stopped by this morning, but I sure didn't spot anything.

Suburban Park

By: bthomas Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

It was about the fourth place I looked -- not a bad hide. I managed to combine a little caching with an errand this morning. Thanks!

Feb 16, 2006

Been Here: Walsh

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

This was my first stop on a little lunchtime caching expedition. It was in the second place I looked. Thanks!

STACT: End of the road and trail

By: bullit Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I had a look first without the hint, and came close, but had the wrong elevation. Thanks!

A Bird's Disappointment

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

Nice cache! I parked in front of it and spotted it right off. I traded a GBA coin for the Grand Canyon coin in the cache.

A Hard One

By: Rocket Girl Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I came by today for some lunchtime caching. My eye landed on the suspected spot immediately. Thanks!

Feb 15, 2006

Element #2

By: GeekDad Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

This was a perfect day for a bay-side walk at lunchtime today. Visibility was great and the temperature was just right.

Vanishing Breed

By: batecher Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I came out at lunchtime for a quick grab. I took the opportunity to drive around East Meadow Circle and look at the place I started my career some 30+ years ago. A couple buildings were still recognizable, but a third had been totally re-done.

Feb 14, 2006

Baylands Trail Junction

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

This was my first stop on a lunchtime hike. I managed to find it using only the waypoint, but I had my PDA in case I needed to peek.

Stroller Friendly #4: That's not my diaper!

By: Geo Baby Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

It was a nice day for a lunchtime hike along the bay. This was a quick stop along the way. Thanks!

Pheasant Roost

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

I managed to spot this one with just the waypoint. I grabbed the GBA pin since it was the first I have seen, and left signature turtle #215.

Phoenix Arise!/The Point

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

This was the second time I stopped by. I left the GPSr in the car this time. After making one full circle, I finally spotted the hiding spot.

Feb 10, 2006

Lake? What lake?

By: homermayor Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

I parked here to check out Coalmine Ridge View since it hasn't been found in a while, but the cache was fine. I took the TimberToo sigitem and left Bytemobile turtle #205.

Along The Tonyon Trail

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

I followed my GPSr off trail a bit, then read the description, came back to the trail, and wandered back down it to a plausible location, reached in and found it.

Tonyon Bench

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

I was out doing a little cache maintenance today, and stopped by here for a quickie cache. Thanks!

Passing Wind

By: The Bubbas Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Regular

I also made a loop out of this, but not intentionally. This cache was a secondary objective, if I had time after the other caches and cache maintenance I was doing. I didn't print out an ExpertGPS calibrated map; in fact I didn't bring a map of any kind. I just headed uphill, and found that the closest I got to the two caches I was going after was 0.4 miles. I made it to the top, trucked on over to the right trail, and headed down. I left signature turtle #212 and Lil Devil's CA geocoin.

Redwood Chapel

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

This is a neat little shopping area that I've never stopped at before. I visited the chapel and took the travelling Gypsy coin and will move it on to another cache. I left signature turtle # 214.

Waiting for Christa

By: Capt Tong & the Jungle Mock Rangers Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I read budd-rdc's log in my car before getting out to look, and I probably duplicated his search exactly, finding the cache in the second place I looked.

Valentine Love Notes

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

I was doing some cache maintenance today and stopped by for this one. It looks like there are still plenty of trails and interesting spots back here that could use another cache or two. My wife has a thing about "Dancin' in the Moonlight" by King Harvest. My taste runs more to a little Kenny G playing low in the background.

I took the Lil Devil CA geocoin and moved it on to "Passing Wind", and left signature turtle # 211.

Catch Your Wind

By: PisoMojado Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Small

I was coming down from the top, and was puzzling over where the cache might be, with my GPSr reading a little over 100 feet. I finally headed on down the trail, and found that it made a switch back just beyond my sight, and found the cache with no problem. I left signature turtle #213.

Feb 9, 2006

The POWER to SCORE!

By: The Petoskey Stones Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I was out on a lunchtime caching trip, and spotted winini and stbk chatting near the cache site. I tried wheedling some clues on "Coin Trading" from stbk, but they mostly bounced off my thick skull.

Bert the Turtle

By: L-grl Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I googled Bert before heading out, and knew what I was looking for. I appreciated the tip about the southern entrance. I was here sometime ago looking for a puzzle cache, and got my shoes wet walking across all the grass in the early morning.

Feb 8, 2006

SC Fire - Agnew Rivermark

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

This was the first stop on a lunchtime run to a few Santa Clara caches. Thanks!

The Wall

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

Hmm. Seems to be a transmitter here. Wonder what it is for? Made this a quick stop on the way home.

James Lick

By: bullit Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Well, here is a piece of history that is pretty well buried from public view. The gardeners were out in force at lunchtime today, but I don't think they paid much attention to me.

Riverfalls

By: nielsenc Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Wow, this place is crazy around lunchtime. Managed to find a place to park and hike to the cache without getting run over.

Feb 7, 2006

I'm Green

By: Rocket Girl Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I did the "If you build it..." cache down the street, so it made sense to try this one too. I parked next to a big green thing and walked across the street to find the little green thing. Thanks!

Agnews Water

By: bullit Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Not chosen

Well, that's quite an old structure. This was my first time through here.

Meneely Bell Company

By: bullit Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Not chosen

There's all kinds of historical stuff around here. I guess you just have to pay attention.

If You Build It They Will Come

By: Rocket Girl Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

With the extra daylight, I have time to grab a couple caches on the way home from work. I read the last few logs, loaded budd-rdc's coordinates, and nabbed this one with no problem. I left signature turtle #204.

Feb 6, 2006

GeoBeads #10 - Star Light, Star Bright

By: zapboy with help from workerofwood Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

The park was pretty crowded at lunchtime today, but I just walked through and transacted my business. Thanks for the bead!

Feb 5, 2006

Terrain Challenge 3

By: popeye2 Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Regular

The Terrain Challenge series is the sort of thing that attracts me to geocaching -- an incentive to get out and hike a trail that I wouldn't otherwise have discovered. I picked this cache for find #2000, and wasn't disappointed. My GPSr said I was over 100 feet away when I found it, but the confined area and the hint did the trick for me. I left signature turtle #203. I didn't spot any wildlife until I was almost back to the car and saw a bobcat on the trail around the pond.

Feb 4, 2006

Hot Rod Hangout

By: frivlas and oneangrypuppy Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I spotted the likely hiding spot from my car and had no problem grabbing it. The log was sealed nicely in a ziplock bag, but unfortunately, the log must have been quite damp before it was put in the bag.

WoW!

By: Nurse Dave Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

I've been meaning to stop by for this for some time now. I found it with no problem and left signature turtle #202. Thanks!

Aaahchoo

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

Nice camo. I wandered around a bit, then read the last couple logs, and soon after spotted something suspicious. Thanks!

Safe Haven

By: Marky & Joani Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

My zero point is close to the sprinklers and I have been here a couple times. The cache is not far from there, though, well within the accuracy of my readings. I wasn't expecting this type of cache, and I guess that is what made it a difficult find for me.

STOP! Bridge Out!

By: cachecrashers Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

My track record in finding this kind of hide is not that great, but poked around and came up with it fairly quickly.

Planner S.M.

By: Tonton-Ca Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

The cache was full of stuff, but I found room to leave a signature turtle, #201. Thanks!

Lampposts - A Fools Errand

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

Saturday is a great day to try this one. No one was around at mid-morning. I poked around a bit and found the cache without too much problem.

Non-obvious Park and Ride - Los Gatos

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

This was a bit sneaky, but not that hard to find once you direct your attention to the right area. Thanks!

Feb 3, 2006

Come Again

By: WeBeDnD Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

This was the turn-around point for my lunchtime walk today. The last time I was out here, I came from the other end of the trail, so this worked out fine for a different walk today.

The 528 foot hole

By: bullit Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Not chosen

I saw a huge jack rabbit on the way to the cache at noon today. Maybe it was just his ears that were so large.

My First "Multicache"

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

This was a quick stop on my way home tonight. My GPSr wanted to autoroute me straight down Lawrence and have me stop along the side, but I knew exactly where I wanted to go.

See Clearly

By: WeBeDnD Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

The jar was full of goodies, but I left signature turtle #200 because there was still a little room.

And Again

By: WeBeDnD Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

It was a bit dreary at noon today, but the squirrels, rabbits, geese, ducks, and cormorants didn't seem to mind.

Feb 2, 2006

Feb 1, 2006

Tai Chi View

By: alpharomero.com Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

This cache is on the route of my regular lunchtime walk. The foot traffic was lower than normal today due to the threat of rain. I had no problem grabbing and signing.

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