bytemobile's Geoblog

Jun 27, 2007

Ca �ada de la Salud

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

I was here a couple years ago and wandered around with no luck. I was tired from a long hike and it was getting late. This morning, I was here around 8 am, and had no trouble finding the cache. I picked up the Baker's Dozen hint and sat on the bench to plot where the final must be. Thanks!

Tales of Odysseus: Cyclops Polythemus

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Regular

My Garmin basemap showed this cache well out in the water, so I double checked to make sure it was not a fake location. I also switched over to the Garmin topo map, and it had a coastline that showed the cache on dry land. Found the cache right off. Thanks!

Tales of Odysseus: Calypso, Sea Nymph

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

The cache was sitting out in the open, but was otherwise intact except some of the camo tape was loose. Maybe a dog dragged it out? I just shoved it under the closest bush, so it has probably migrated from the original hide, but I see Kealia has found it already.

West Side Serenade

By: Iron Chef Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

I was grateful for the excellent coordinates. If they weren't spot-on, I would have soon given up the hunt in this area. You had to be very observant to follow the trail through the weeds.

Tales of Odysseus: Into the Underworld

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

The odyssey continues with another great spot along the coast. Thanks!

The Sun Also Sets

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

I parked at the Wilder Ranch parking and headed out here with my bike. I found the cache after poking around a bit. Thanks!

Tales of Odysseus: Aeolus, Keeper of the Winds

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

I thought I knew the best way to this cache since I had been to this bluff before, but I found a better way with fewer weeds on the way out. Thanks!

Tales of Odysseus: The Trojan Horse

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

I had not planned to start this odyssey today, but this looked like an interesting spot, so I stopped and hiked over to the cache. It took a bit of hunting around to find the cache, but it was perfectly visible from the right angle.

Tales of Odysseus: The Return of the King

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Regular

I don't include puzzle caches in my personal queries, so I don't have them on my PDA. I started finding caches in this series today, and ended up finding them all. They had all the information I needed to find the final, so I did the whole deal in one beautiful day. I really enjoyed this series because it took me to lots of spots along the coast that I had not visited before. The final location was a classic spot for a geocache. Thanks for the adventure!

Scott Creek Bridge Benchmark

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I had just started The Odyssey, but I never pass up other nearby caches. Thanks!

Tales of Odysseus: The Sirens

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

This was my first visit to this beach. I followed someone else around the guardrail to a trail to the beach. After finding the cache, I continued around the loop, and found the better access from the Coast Highway as I was leaving. Thanks!

Secret Trail Head: Four Mile Beach

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

At first, I didn't see how the hint applied to this object, but I looked a little closer and saw what I needed to see. Thanks!

Tales of Odysseus: Circe, Witch Goddess

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Small

I was beginning to enjoy this quest. The coordinates are all spot on because of the great view of the sky, and the locations are nice little hikes to spots new to me along the beautiful coast. Thanks!

Davenport Landing

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

I had been here a couple times before -- once on a whale-watching kayak trip. A spotter on the bluff radioed our leader when he spotted a whale, and we paddled in that direction. However when we got there, the whale had gone in the direction we came from, so we paddled back. The exciting part was launching our kayak into the waves from the beach. No problems finding the cache. Thanks!

Tales of Odysseus: Helios, Bringer of the Sun

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

This was a quick stop. I spotted the hiding spot as I rode up on my bike. Thanks!

A Whale of a View

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Small

Mrs. Bytemobile and I have tried to watch whales from Davenport, but it was from the bluff to the south of here. This is also a nice spot. Thanks!

Greyhound Rock

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

This was my first stop here, and it was a nice morning to visit. I let the motorcycle riders who had stopped just before me have a look around, then I went over and found the cache quickly. Thanks!

Rancho del Oso

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

Things were pretty quiet here on a Wednesday morning. I parked my bike and located the cache fairly quickly. Thanks!

Laguna Beach Parking

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

Found this after my trip over to the beach. Thanks!

50sumtin's Big Basin Park HQ to Sea Baker's Dozen!

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 4.0 Terrain: 4.0 Container: Small

I found the final this morning after three separate expeditions to find the caches. I had to guess one of the numbers since I missed the Timms Creek cache. I had a problem with my PDA that day, and had only the coordinates. For most of the time I had zero, one, or two-satellite coverage, and was up and down the trails all over the place looking for the cache. The cache owner has granted me dispensation for missing the cache, but I will definitely try to find it the next time I am hiking in the area.

Baldercache

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

The last time I passed this cache, my son and I were pedaling pretty fast on our way out since it was getting late. I came back for the Baker's Dozen hint. Found the cache after a brief search. Thanks!

Horse Camp Cache

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I got an early start from where we were camped at Seacliff SB and was here about 7:30 am. I had no luck in the first several places I looked so I read the hint. The hint proved to be more for entertainment value, and I finally found the cache after a more thorough search of the area. The cap is missing from the cache, but this won't be a problem for several months.

Secret Trail Head: Bonny Doon Beach

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Small

This was my first visit to this beach, and it was on a great day. Thanks!

Secret Trail Head: Panther & Yellow Banks Beaches

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

I'm on a quest today, but stopped along the way for a few other caches. Thanks!

Secret Trail Head: Three Mile Beach

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

I decided to bail out of my hike here and get the bike out of my truck to finish the loop I had started. I came out here and hiked back to the Three Mile Beach parking.

Tales of Odysseus: The Suitors and Penelope's Test

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

I parked along the Coast Highway for 3 or 4 mile beach mostly because I didn't realize I could my bike here from the main parking for Wilder State Park. I hiked on out and found the cache with no trouble.

Tales of Odysseus: Scylla or Charybdis

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

This was the last cache in the series for me. I hadn't planned this out or studied where the caches were located. I just started finding them as I headed south from Waddell Beach. I expected that the final would be well out of my way, but I was surprised here when I figured out its location.

Jun 26, 2007

Seabright Natural History

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

I have been here before, and found a cache that was not far away. After not seeing an obvious spot, and reading the hint, I almost headed back to the vehicle for my compass, but had an inspiration and found the cache shortly thereafter. Thanks!

A Grey Line between Work and Play

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

Wirebndr and I had just finished three DNFs in a row, then tried this one. We had trouble at both stages, but persisted, and eventually came up with both. Thanks!

1298

By: 50sumtin Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Wirebndr and I stopped by after a visit to Costco. We made a circle around, zeroed in on the likely spot, and made the discovery after checking a few spots. Very nice work!

Jun 25, 2007

The Balance Beam

By: mayela mingi Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Regular

Due to a PDA problem, I didn't have the cache description, but I was able to find the cache from the waypoint after a thorough search of the area. Thanks!

Spring Street Trailhead Cache

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

I was using a personal query that I got a few days ago when this was still enabled. I thought the cache was perfectly fine as caches go. The log book was damp, but Wirebndr and I had no trouble signing. We were just starting a big loop hike through Pogonip. Thanks!

Fern Trail Water Cache

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

This was the furthest point on a long loop through Pogonip with Wirebndr this morning. I hadn't been to this part of the park before, and we enjoyed the hike. I left Bytemobile turtle #383. Thanks!

Where the fairies dance in the moonlight.

By: mayela mingi Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 3.0 Container: Regular

My PDA reset itself this morning, so I just had the waypoint for this cache. No trouble finding it after I got to the right area. I left Bytemobile turtle #384. Thanks!

Creek-Trestle-Bridge-Sand Box

By: G A-DayTrippers Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I biked over from where we were camped at Seacliff. I tried and failed to find this cache last year. Today, it was a piece of cake. I found it before I even powered up the GPSr. Thanks!

Twisted Oak Cache

By: geocruz Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

The cache was exposed, with no lid. The log was OK, so Wirebndr and I signed.

Jun 24, 2007

Seacliff Thanksgiving Cache II

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

We parked our trailer along with the rigs for Mrs. Bytemobile's parents and her sister and brother-in-law at Seacliff today. After setting up, taking in the view, and taking a nap, Wirebndr and I headed down the busy walkway to the cache. No problems spotting this one. I found one blank area along the margin on the reverse side to squeeze in our signatures. Thanks!

Jun 17, 2007

It's all Happening at the Zoo

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

No problems with this one. I continued my hike from the Montecito Inn this morning, and went down a little farther before turning around and heading back for breakfast.

The Spot Light

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

Mrs. Bytemobile and I showed up early for lunch at the Mesa Cafe with our two sons and their girlfriends, and had a look for this one. We didn't find it before lunch, but Mrs. Bytemobile spied it on the way back to our car after lunch. No problems pulling the log out with a little knife blade. Thanks!

Dwight Murphy Field

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

I hiked over here early this morning from the Montecito Inn. No problems spotting this one. I left Bytemobile turtle #382. Thanks!

Caching Butterflies

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

I got up early and left Mrs. Bytemobile in bed at the Montecito Inn and hiked over here. I couldn't figure out the hint - I guess I was coming from the wrong direction. I saw the cache early on, but the brain was foggy this morning. Thanks!

Jun 16, 2007

Urban Jungle

By: Droo Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Regular

I'm down from the San Jose area to watch my younger son graduate from UCSB. I got up early and did a little exploring, and the three-cache cluster caught my eye and brought me here. I left Bytemobile turtle #381. Thanks!

The Lion's Head

By: RonFisk Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

We parked in the lot for the nearby bird refuge, and made the quick hike over here. Tried to make the find a little harder than it was, then spotted it. Thanks!

Gateway to....

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

I hiked over to this one early this morning. As I approached the gateway, a big group of cyclists rode up and turned into the gateway. Up until that point, I thought it was a private entrance. I thought the cycling group was unusual -- no tight pants and colorful shirts. They dressed about how I would to go for a bike ride. Finding the nearby Letterbox was a piece of cake. This one took a bit longer. I finally understood the hint after I found the cache. Thanks!

The Circle

By: Droo & RGBGal Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I was up and out the door of the Montecito Inn before 7 am. I hiked over here, and had no problems spotting this one. Plenty of parking available this morning.

Andre Clark Bird Refuge

By: macgyverandflo Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

We were headed to my son's apartment, then his graduation at UCSB a little later today. We made this a fairly quick stop, and had no trouble finding the cache. Thanks!

Jun 10, 2007

Franciscan Complex - Fossils and Ash

By: cmilono Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Not chosen

I wondered why all the cars were parked in the Thornton Beach lot this early on a foggy Sunday morning. I found the zigzag route to the Old One, and on the way spotted a route to the beach. I turns out that cars in the lot probably belonged to the several fishermen on the beach, and I used some of their ropes to help myself up and down the path to the beach. The sand was wet around ground zero for the cache site, but the water was well away from it at 9 am this morning. The hike here was quite interesting, and the geology lesson a bonus.

Puppy Play Group

By: The Pointy Ear Dog Gang Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Regular

This was my first visit to Fort Funston. It was dog city on this foggy Sunday morning! No problems finding the cache. I left Bytemobile turtle #379.

This Should Be WalruZ's Cache

By: Kindergarten Teacher Difficulty: 3.5 Terrain: 2.5 Container: Micro

The fog was so thick this morning, I was worried that I wouldn't be able to spot the entrance to Thornton Beach Vista. We were camped at the SF RV Resort in Pacifica, so it was a short trip. Spotted the cache in the third place I looked. Thanks!

Old One

By: jef Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 3.5 Container: Regular

The fog was quite dense this morning, so I was a little leery of searching out trails when I couldn't see very far. I ended up making all the right choices and made it through the zigzag path to this cache. I didn't have much trouble finding the cache, but I thought the coordinates could be improved to minimize tromping around the area. I had nine or ten satellites, with WAAS, so the coordinates should be pretty good. I left Bytemobile turtle #380. Thanks!

Jun 6, 2007

What More Could You Ask For?

By: Kindergarten Teacher Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

Well I didn't find it in the dark, but very close to it. We parked our travel trailer at the SF RV resort next door, had dinner, and watched the sun dip into the ocean. I slipped on the gravel heading down to the cache, but it wasn't due to the deepening dusk. The cache was the first thing I touched when I started to search. I think a geocaching notice was missing from the cache. Thanks!

This Stop: Edgemar!

By: PurplePeople Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Nice write-up and nice hint. We parked our travel trailer at the SF RV resort a couple blocks away, had dinner and watched the sun dip into the ocean. I pulled out Mrs. Bytemobile's fold-up bicycle, and zipped over here for a quick find at dusk. Thanks!

Jun 3, 2007

Zaca Station

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

We come by here every year for the Firestone Picnic, and there is always a vendor set up here with metal whirling things. He was gone on our way home, so I stopped. Yessica was right on it, and spotted it in a flash. Eric thought my caching name was cool, but not as cool as Smokey Bitches.

Jun 2, 2007

Splashing the bling

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

Mrs. Bytemobile were here early, and did this while waiting for the weaving & yarn shop to open. The second stage took a few minutes to eliminate possibilities, but we finally came up with it.

Hole in the Bricks

By: solvangjake Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

I left Mrs. Bytemobile at the weaving and yarn shop, and hiked over here. I wandered a while, and sat down for a bit, then finally spotted the hiding spot. No one was around to inhibit my search (before 10 am), but the city magically fills up later in the day. I met back up with Mrs. B well before she left the store.

"E" is for Enchanted

By: photogal64 Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Not chosen

Mrs. Bytemobile and I headed for Solvang early this morning and made this our first stop. The sprinklers were going on the "F" cache, so we skipped it and wandered over here. We thought this was nicely done, and uniquely crafted.

The Mystical Body of Christ

By: macgyverandflo Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

Mrs. Bytemobile and I were here last year for a cache on the other side of the church. This morning we saw a turkey vulture on the grass nearby. Thanks!

Jun 1, 2007

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