bytemobile's Geoblog

May 31, 2006

Between the Sand and a Hard Place

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

It took a little while to find this one. I think the hint is a bit inaccurate or at least misleading. Maybe someone moved the cache a little.

same old same old cache

By: Two Tracks Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

Mrs. Bytemobile just finished a tour of the local yarn shops, and this was the closest cache, so we headed for it. Thanks!

Coasters at the Coast

By: campyc (concept by Ecochic) Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

I didn't read the cache description very thouroughly and spent some time in the big coyotes bushes nearby, but eventually spotted the cache. It was re-hidden well by the previous finder. Thanks!

Where's your spirit of adventure?

By: IGBAY OOBAY Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Other

As we approached the cache, we saw some legs and voices. It turned out to be the cache owner and son, checking up on the cache and having a little adventure. They let us find it ourselves, and it turned out to be a nice piece of workmanship, well camo'ed but in plain sight from where we were looking. Thanks for the adventure!

If You Find It, You Will Hum

By: G-Wiz (adopted by gsmX2) Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

It was a great morning for a bike ride through the harbor area. A busload of kids were let off nearby for a field trip. I saw some birds, but no hummers. Thanks!

END OF THE LINE

By: IGBAY OOBAY Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Nice job on this hide! I was looking for the wrong sort of thing for a while. This one requires you to look with your hands as well as your eyes. Thanks!

Harbor View

By: BBQ-Stain & Bullseye-Ron Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I rode my bike from our campsite at McGrath this morning. Nobody was around, so I didn't have to worry about pulling the cache out. Thanks!

Gambling Toad

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

We saw this one yesterday and figured out how to approach it. Today, we were headed in the right direction after visiting a yarn shop in Oxnard. Mrs. Bytemobile and I both went up the embankment and both were surprised by the cache. It is in fine condition. Thanks!

Tunes in the Dunes

By: SoulJahs Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

I hiked over from our campsite at McGrath early this morning while Mrs. Bytemobile was still snoozing. I saw lots of bunnies and birds. The coordinates are right on, which is what you would expect for a beach cache. I think people are having trouble because there is nothing to draw your attention to the cache site. TNLNSL. Thanks!

Village View

By: Sail Meerkat adopted by GSMx2 Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I rode on my bike from our campsite at McGrath. Nobody here this morning except an employee picking up trash from the bins. Thanks!

Ventura Ave

By: madlibs42 and Eldorado Queen Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

I thought this was a great way to do a beach cache -- something big enough so it won't get lost in the sand. This was my last cache of the morning, and I hopped on my bike to head back to our campsite at McGrath. Thanks!

May 30, 2006

City of Oxnard

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

We are camping at McGrath for a few nights. I rode my bike out here to grab this one. Thanks!

Channel Islands Marina View

By: aerospacecase Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

There seems to be two approaches to this cache, only one of which allows you to reach the cache. Luckily Mrs. Bytemobile and I took the productive approach. Thanks!

"NO TELLING"

By: IGBAY OOBAY Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

This is definitely a classic. The installation is well done, and has evidently met the test of time. The log was quite damp so I tried drying it out a bit before we moved on. Thanks!

Thar She Blows

By: pamarler Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

Mrs. Bytemobile and I were camped at McGrath, and drove down to have a look around the area. I thought about the cache title a little, and found the well-camo'ed cache shortly thereafter. Thanks!

Now Here's a TRUE Power Cache!!

By: tweetybird440 Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I think the natural camo is gone and the immediate area around the cache is water, but the cache is still dry and in good shape. Thanks!

May 29, 2006

Bite-squish Park

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

Mrs. Bytemobile wasn't in a hiking mood, so she stayed in the truck and knitted while I hiked out for this one. Interesting area. Thanks!

Verde Grande

By: c-coastcacher Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

Mrs. Bytemobile and I took a little walking tour of AG this morning. The roosters were out in force. The festival was over and the porta-potties were being hauled off. A couple guys with metal detectors were working some of the grassy areas. Mrs. B came up with this this while I was checking the wrong places.

How Now Hooscow!

By: ptrott Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

Mrs. Bytemobile and I took a little walking tour of AG this morning after the festival. There are some pretty nice houses up the hill from here. Mrs. B was the first to spot this one. Thanks!

23112 or "Speed Trap Zone"

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

Mrs. B stayed in the truck for this one. She doesn't like walking in the weeds. I was looking for the wrong kind of thing at the first stage, and had to give it a triple going-over before spotting it. The second stage was quick, but I had to add about 10 ft to the distance. Nice cache!

Shiney objects fascinate me.

By: Artista Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

We were out for a little drive and geocaching tour this morning. We were looking for something harder here. We should have just given the whole area a once-over and we would have found it quicker. Mrs. Bytemobile spotted this one.

Hello!

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

I was looking for the wrong sort of thing here and missed it for a while. Finally, it became visible to my noggin. Thanks!

"Surfer Parking Only" a.k.a. "Hang 10"

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

Mrs. Bytemobile and I had lunch on the main drag, walked to the end of the pier, then I hiked up the beach for this cache. There were folks coming and going, but I timed my grab and timed the put-back, and no one seemed to notice. Thanks for another well done cache!

May 28, 2006

Butterflies, Dragonflies & Dolphins

By: The WilderNESSes Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

I took a ride on my bike from the Oceano campground north, and this was one of the stops along the day. It was a little windy, but otherwise a perfect day. Thanks!

Koala By The Sea

By: The WilderNESSes Difficulty: 3.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Other

I rode north on my bike from the Oceano campground, and stopped to find this cache. The color of the cache was perfect for its surroundings, but if you use your eyes, you can spot it. I grabbed one of the two travel bugs in the cache and left a Bytemobile turtle. Thanks!

"I've Got Sand In My Shoes"

By: The WilderNESSes Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

This was the turn-around point for my bike ride north from the Pismo Beach Oceano campground. It was a busy beach today. Thanks!

Quack Attack!!

By: The WilderNESSes Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

I could have found this yesterday evening if I had brought my GPSr. We played Bocce Ball on the grass right in front of the cache. Thanks!

Oceano Bridge Survey

By: Artista Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

The challenge in finding this cache was getting across Pier Ave from the campground where we were camped for Memorial Day weekend (on my bike). The traffic to and from the beach was pretty heavy. The yellow Super Stearman has been taking off over our campground all weekend.

"One of these things is not like the others"

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

I rode up here on my bike from the Pismo Beach Oceano campground. There was a group of cachers at the starting point when I rode up, but I was in time to help find the first stage. I didn't have a Phillips screwdriver with me, so I would have been out of luck without this meet-up. I had the first look at the second stage, but I came up empty, so I was happy to have a group of folks with sharper wits to find the final. Nice job on both stages! This is definitely a memorable cache.

May 27, 2006

Dewey's Dusty Trail

By: Silver Eagle Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

Mrs. Bytemobile was driving me around this afternoon, but stayed in the truck while I did the little hike to this one. It took me a little while to find it. It has its own little hidey hole. I took the Garmin Armin sigitem and left one of my turtles. Thanks!

By Grace

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

I had the right spot initially, but didn't see the cache, so I looked around at some other spots and at some very healthy poison oak, but finally found the cache in an excellent spot, away from all the bad stuff. I left a Bytemobile turtle. Thanks!

Why We Live Here

By: The WilderNESSes Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Regular

This beach is crazy on Memorial Day weekend. My two sons took me golfing at the nearby nine-hole course. I hadn't been golfing since I was in high school, and I managed to lose a few balls in the water. We hiked out to the cache after golfing, and one son found it, looking at the place I just checked. I left a signature turtle. Thanks!

Hi-1 Curves

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

Hmmm. I had to wonder about this one after doing the two clever caches nearby. Maybe Memorial Day weekend is not the best time for this. Two 18-wheelers brushed by me as I hiked over to the cache from the nearby pullout.

MOH

By: Artista Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Other

We are camped for the weekend at Pismo State Beach, and this sounded like an interesting cache. The cemetery was set up for Memorial Day weekend with lots of flags. Several cars were there, with people decorating gravesites. Thanks for the tour!

Military and Civilian Memorial

By: RVUSA Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I guess Memorial Day weekend is a good time for this cache. I got Mrs. Bytemobile to drive me around for a few caches this afternoon, and this was the second stop. Thanks!

Is It Well?

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

It is well. Another clever cache by RVUSA. Thanks!

A.G. Welcome

By: RVUSA Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I gave up and went back to the truck, but after reading that it was a clever camo job, I took another look and considered the hint. Nice job!

Victorian Shadow Travel Bug Hotel

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

That is an anmazing Victorian. My first impulse here was to start stomping the ivy, but it turned out that was unnecessary. Thanks!

May 26, 2006

Laguna Hideout a.k.a. "Peek-A-Boo"

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

I didn't realize Nomex approved caches this far south. We pulled into the Oceano campground for the Memorial Day weekend, and this was the closest cache. Definitely needed the hints to find the cache. It is best to spot the cache before whacking around because of the PO mixed with the berries here and there. Since it is such a nice sized cache, I left The Golden State travel bug and a Bytemobile signature turtle. Thanks!

May 25, 2006

20th Anniversary

By: niraD Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

There was no one but me in the area around the cache at lunchtime today. I poked here and there, wandered around eliminating possibilities, and finally happened upon it. Thanks!

Juana Find a Cache?

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

The park was busy at lunchtime today, but the cache worked out nicely. Good choice for the final location -- a nice spot, away from the crowd.

May 24, 2006

Hard and Brown

By: Rocket Girl Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I caught up with geekster & co. here, after just missing them at Mall Death. Our Garmin 60cs's agreed on a zero point closer to the street than where we found the cache. The inner container has taken a beating and needs to be replaced.

Somewhere .....

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

I worked on this months ago, but missed something and couldn't sign. Today I was in the neighborhood for another cache and decided to give this one another try. I didn't see anything I missed before, but I had the right touch today. With the answer in hand, I still don't fully comprehend the hint.

Mall Death

By: airshadowshow Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Regular

This was the first stop on a lunchtime tour. Geekster's group was putting it back as I was parking, so I didn't have to search too hard.

De Anza Bonanza

By: Team Ottlet Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

This was my third find on a lunchtime run. Managed to locate it quickly with the hint. Thanks!

May 23, 2006

Marsh Miles

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

I had to stretch my lunch hour a little to hike out here, but seeing the geese, squirrels, rabbits and bay was worth it. Thanks!

Tee Time

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

I was on my lunch hour, so I read the last few logs and hint, and ended up spending very little time finding it. The walk and view of the golf course was nice.

May 19, 2006

Club Santa Teresa

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

This was my first stop on an off-work Friday. Next up was a hike into the park. I considered starting it from down near the clubhouse, but the hill looked a little intimidating, so I drove up and paid my five bucks to park 300-400 ft higher.

Pennies From Heaven

By: Marky & Joani Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 4.0 Container: Regular

I DNF'ed this many many months ago. Since I was in the area this morning, I decided to give it another try. This time I found it quickly, just a few feet from where I searched before. I took smashed penny #418. Thanks!

Let Sleeping Bears Lie

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

I considered going for a hike in the redwoods today, but since it was overcast, I decided it would be a great day for Santa Teresa. The overcast limited visibility, but the temperature was great.

Ale Only Now

By: Marky & Joani Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I had no trouble finding the area to search. In fact, I parked in the nearest parking space. I did have some trouble finding the cache, however. I think this violates one of Motorbug's rules about such things, and the nice camo job is not visible.

Hidden Frog Pond

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

I saw only two other hikers today, and I passed them both just before looking for this cache. Thanks!

Coyote Junction

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

I managed to find this one without a peek at the hint. When I got back to the trail I noticed a tick crawling on my pant leg so I gave him a flick.

Coyote Creek Trail Secret Entrance 2

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

Well, this one took me a while. If I had remembered the previous STP Ron multis I have done, it might have been quicker. Thanks!

Ridge Trail Rest

By: STP Ron Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Micro

I didn't need much of a rest at this point and the sun was not out, but this was a nice stop anyway. This was my first hike in this part of the park. Thanks!

Basking in the Park

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

I am, in fact, headed for the Garden State (NJ) on June 16th, so I decided to pick up the WEED plate travel bug.

Secret Walkway #8 - A Pointless Multicache

By: Marky & Joani Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

This walk provided a nice cool-down after a hike at Santa Teresa. This seems like a nicely designed residential area. I managed to get through all the stages without screwing anything up. Thanks!

Ready 2 Hike

By: sloigo adopted by Seek2FindMe 6/8/2010 Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

Well, I already found GC3D2B some months back (not starting here) so this was just a quick stop to see the trailhead. Thanks!

Parkhere - Coyote Creek

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

Since I was in the area this morning, I wanted to clear out a few nearby caches. Thanks!

Boundary of Insanity

By: STP Ron Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Micro

This was my turn-around point for my hike today. I have already done the caches on top. Thanks!

May 18, 2006

Hetch Hetchy Trail - Countdown

By: Marky & Joani Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Nothing like a little lunchtime nonsense to help pass the time. This is close to work, but I was busy and didn't make it out until today. I was glad I had my compass with me. Thanks!

May 14, 2006

Fisherwoman's Favorite Potty Break

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

After doing the new zapboy caches, my GPSr said that this was only a mile away, so I decided to hike on over. Unfortunately, the GPSr failed to mention the elevation difference. The cache was a bit exposed, so I covered it a little better than I found it. Thanks!

That's STILL Not Natural

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

This was a bit of a challenge. I suspect that the hide was a bit harder than originally intended. I emptied water out of the cache, but the double sealed log was still dry. Nice work on this one!

Bang Bang

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

It was pretty quiet when I was looking for the cache, but the gun club evidently opens at 9 am on Sunday, and the bang-bangs were pretty constant after that. My GPSr changed its mind a couple times, so I read the hint and found the cache quickly. Thanks!

Between a Rock and a Parking Place

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

I came up here a few times when my sons were teenagers to do a little rock climbing. My job was to belay them and carry some gear. The coordinate for the cache were great, and I didn't need the hint.

Toys for Boys

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

The new caches got me up here early this morning, and it was great day for a little hike. I took my sweatshirt off after this one. I left turtle #256. Thanks!

Assume Nothing #9.1- Ivy Hide

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

I was glad I had found the previous cache. The varying GPS readings and no obvious place to look could make this a bear. Thanks!

Saratoga's Wild Woods

By: Mary & Dave Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

When my sons were little, we made several visits to play on the big slide here, but we never made it back to this corner of the park. Nice hide!

Fantassstic Visssta!

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

I wouldn't say that this was a one-star since there are several hiding places, but the view of the sky is great, so that helps narrow the search area. I could see the Monterey Penninsula, but there was a bit of marine layer this morning, so things were a little hazy. Thanks!

May 12, 2006

Sunnyvale's Trash

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

I hadn't gone lunchtime caching all week, so I decided to take a break today and make this my lunchtime walk. The view of all the goats on the hill was interesting. My first thought at the cache site was that it must be missing, but it was just hidden better than I expected. Thanks!

May 10, 2006

Caching in a Parallel Universe

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

6:50 am -- I hadn't noticed this cache before dooglah mentioned it in an e-mail to me yesterday. I had a look at it last night and learned something new in the process of solving it. It was about a block off my route to work, so I made a quick stop this morning. Thanks!

May 7, 2006

Power Trail View

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

This was toward the end of my loop hike through Rancho today. The parking lots were all full by 8 am this morning, and the number of people on the trails was incredible. I took nothing and left a Bytemobile turtle.

TC/Middle of Rancho

By: popeye2 Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Regular

After reading Nemglan's log, I hoped that all I had to do was wait for a break in the trail traffic (and there was a lot this morning!) and reach into the bushes. After that didn't work, I decided that the coordinates must be accurate because of the nice view of the sky, so I tried another approach that took me to my zero point. The cache was still very hard to find, and I ended up spending a total of about a half hour here. I took AlphaRomero sigitem #405 and left a Bytemobile turtle.

Bay Area Calibration Point #1

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

1. Coordinates: N37 � 19.884 W122� 04.991
2. Garmin 60cs
3. Elevation in feet: 398
4. Number of satellites locked in: 11
5. Number of WAAS satellites: 11
6. EPE: 7 ft
7. Indicated distance from the marker:
8. Number of averaged readings:
9. Battery Level: ~3/4
10. External Antenna used (Y/N): N

Good grief! I show ed up here at 8 am for a hike and the sign at the main entrance said the parking lots were full. Sure enough, every space in every lot was taken, and the vultures were circling, waiting for a space to pounce on. I parked in a residential area to start my hike.

View of 7 poles

By: alpharomero.com Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Micro

I took a detour from my loop hike, and trudged up the hill for this one. The coodinates were great and I didn't need the hint to find this one. I left a Bytemobile turtle.

Bambi, Turkeys, and Snow

By: alpharomero.com Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Micro

I did hear some turkeys in the distance as I huffed and puffed up the hill. Thanks!

May 5, 2006

What? No Cache!

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

I looked for this many months ago with no luck. Today it was easy -- the cache was open and lying in the open. There was no log or anything else in the cache, so I added a little stash note in a baggie and signed on the reverse, and hid the cache where I imagined it had been. I had a look around the area for anything that might have been in the cache, but didn't spot anything.

'Carless' Law-breakers

By: cowswithguns9119 Difficulty: 3.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

This was my closest-to-home non-puzzle cache, so I planned it into my route home this afternoon. SteveL's log helped me make an immediate find here. Thanks!

SC Fire - Pruneridge

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

This was just slightly off my route this afternoon, so I decided to have a go at it. It took me a little while, but my eyes finally latched on to it.

HBJ, the sequel

By: The Storyteller Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I followed Nazgul's procedure for finding the cache. It turned out that I had parked right next to it to begin with. Thanks!

May 3, 2006

Traffic Patterns

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

I came out for a short lunchtime tour today. I had not noticed this before, either. Thanks!

Stumpy

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

I came out for a little fresh air at lunchtime. The batteries on my GPSr died about 300 ft from the cache, but that turned out not to be a problem. Thanks!

Smiley

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

I had to poke around a while, but I eventually spotted the cache. I think the cache had migrated a short distance, because the hint didn't make much sense.

May 2, 2006

East Pond

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

I combined this lunchtime bike ride with some maintenance on Baylands Teamwork. I took this opportunity to leave a travel bug I have been carrying around for a couple weeks. I was planning to drop it on a trip down to Hanford (CA), but all I found there was micros. I had it with me last weekend at Henry Coe, but if I left it there, it probably would have stayed there for a year. This cache is nice size for small travel bugs and trading items. I took the cool Zapboy pen and left a turtle.

West Pond

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

Second find on a lunchtime bike ride. The coordinates are great, but I also used the hint to narrow the search area. I left turtle #251.

May 1, 2006

Monta Loma

By: brian1789 Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

I have been over to Coyote Hills, and I wondered what happened to the mounds on this side of the bay. Thanks!

Mad House

By: CachEE Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

Nice craftsmanship! The park was a nice lunchtime retreat today.

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