Geocaching Basecamp

niraD's Geoblog

Apr 29, 2006

Monta Loma

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

As I approached the area, I noticed signs of a rather severe "pruning", and assumed that the cache had been muggled. Fortunately, it was perfectly intact. For the record, the token [url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/log.aspx?LUID=5f871ef1-6385-4ccc-8b9f-ce1a39878142]left here by Scorpion King[/url] is my sig token for [url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCNFQ8]C.H.U.D.[/url] T dinosaur, L killer whale, seashell, and sig tokens (one for this cache and one for [url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCGAEW]the previous cache I found[/url], since it was a nano cache with no room for sig tokens), SL. TFTC!

Trigger Happy

By: Mohetka Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

After finding this one, I spent some time taking in the two points of interest. The first is indeed an amazing view, and it was a beautiful day for it. The second was interesting, although it is probably more fun on work days. I left my sig token for this nano cache at [url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCVP35]the next cache I found[/url], since there was no room for it here. TNLNSL, TFTC!

Apr 27, 2006

Numbers & Letters

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

I'm sure I've seen most of these before, but it was fun working them out again (although I did decrypt the hints for a couple of them). The hide location was beautiful this morning. TN, L seashell and sig token, SL. Thanks for the puzzle, thanks for the morning detour, and TFTC!

Poetry Corner

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

Is this a cache I see before me, The log book toward my hand? Come, let me sign thee. I have thee not, and yet I see thee still. Art thou not, small container, sensible To feeling as to sight, or art thou but A micro of the mind, a camouflaged ghost, Proceeding from the rot-thirteened brain? TN, L sig token (yes, there was room, even in this nano cache), SL. Like oneangrypuppy, I had to expand my search radius to find the cache. TFTC!

Do not fold, spindle, or mutilate

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

It's funny how something new (Google) can be used to understand something old (old enough to have been obsolete by the time I started programming). There was no "You found it" sheet, so I left one. TN L sig token, SL. TFTC!

SVC: Microsoft in the Valley

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

I searched the area around my coordinates but found nothing. Then I read the encrypted hint, which just made me question my coordinates. Email from the owner confirmed my coordinates, and helped me interpret the hint correctly. I'll be back.

Apr 26, 2006

For the Love of the Game

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

I remember learning this game during the 1977 National Scout Jamboree at Moraine State Park (aka More Rain State Park) in Pennsylvania. My wife and I play it occasionally, although we didn't play it yesterday. TN, L seashell and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Hetch Hetchy Trail - Hippity Hoppity

By: Marky & Joani Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

Peter was almost (but not quite) what I expected him to be, and he was very well hidden. I hid him as well as he was hidden when I found him; I don't think I could hide him better than that. There was no "You found it" page, so I left one. TN, L sig token, SL. TFTC!

MiddleField Madness

By: MadDad (maintained by bullit) Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Small

I continued working on my "nearest to home" page on the way home from work. The contents were a bit damp, so I let everything air out a bit while I logged the find. TN, L seashell and sig token, SL. TFTC!

ELVIS LIVES

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

The excellent camouflage sure gave me a cause to grin--well done! FWIW, there are only two (official) spaces left on the log, and the first cache on my current "closest to home" list is Five a Day (A Deaf Ivy?). TN, L seashell and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Apr 25, 2006

Tower Of Power

By: Shores Scout, originally by NavySparksandtheM Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

I was FTF the replacement cache. It was another quick find after work. TN, L seashell and sig tokens (one for this cache and one for [url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCVJRK]the previous cache I found[/url], which didn't have quite enough room for a sig token), SL. TFTC!

Wide Water View

By: mjp303 Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

The view is indeed great. This was a quick find after work. I left my sig token for this cache in [url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCPKY9]the next cache I found[/url], since there wasn't quite enough room for it in this cache. TN, L seashell, SL. TFTC!

Laureola

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

Another quick find after work. The baseball diamond, basketball court, and play equipment were in use, but everyone ignored me as I found this cache at the other end of the park. T beachbum67 sig item, L seashell and sig token, SL. Thanks for the story and TFTC!

Apr 24, 2006

Ask Your Kids

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

I had no idea what any of the phrases referred to, but Google came to my rescue and allowed me to solve the puzzle quickly. The cache was a quick find after work. I liked the way the cache location related to the theme. TN, L seashell and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Gone Fishing

By: geotap and skwerlie Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Small

This was a quick find on the way to work. T spinner, L white-and-brown fish, seashell, and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Apr 22, 2006

JESTER

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

As a kid, I played around with ciphers, codes, invisible ink, etc. However, I had no idea what you meant by the keyword or the cleartext key, so I took advantage of your tutorial. In the process, I wrote a simple program to help me decrypt future ciphers of this type. TN, L seashells and sig token, SL. Thanks for the decoding lesson, and TFTC!

Apr 21, 2006

Mad House

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

It was an easy find (the first place I looked), but it is VERY cool! The area around [url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCMRNA]the other cache in this park[/url] was overrun with junior muggles, but I had this corner of the park to myself. T killer whale, L seashells and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Apr 20, 2006

Clapper Rail View

By: mjp303 Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

It looks like the orientation of [url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCMJ3K]Gossmer Cove Lagoon (GCMJ3K)[/url] may have helped it drain. This one uses the same kind of container, and it was full of water. I left a dry log sheet (with a "You found it!" page) in a fresh ziplock bag, but everything needs to be dried out and put in a waterproof container.

Apr 19, 2006

Silas started it all

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

I got the necessary information (along with a cup of "Joe") this morning, and picked up the container after work. It was a quick find. TN, L seashells and sig token, SL. Thanks for the history lesson, and TFTC!

Clapper Rail View

By: mjp303 Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

A quick find after a beautiful walk in the baylands this morning, although the cache needs maintenance. T white-and-brown fish, L seashell and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Guano Guantlet

By: mjp303 Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

Another quick find before work, and a pleasant walk through the baylands. TN, L fish charm and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Tilted

By: mjp303 Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I was in the area, so I dropped by. GeekDad, the replacement container is still there, right where I found it.

Apr 18, 2006

Discover Water @ L'Avenida

By: MadDad (maintained by bullit) Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

I was pretty sure I knew where it would be as I approached the location, but I was wrong. The camouflage is great and the placement is very good, too. I left a printed log sheet to supplement the scrap-paper log (and to provide a "You found it!" page). T fish charm, L seashell and sig token, SL. TFTC!

WALK YOUR BIKE

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

I had a pretty good idea where to find this one after reading about it on the Geocachers of the Bay Area web site. It was a quick find after work. The "Official Geocache" label has come unstuck from the outside, and is now inside the container. TN, L seashell and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Apr 17, 2006

Steven's Creek Button Exchange

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

A quick find before work. FWIW, the "slippery when wet" signs on the wooden bridges of Stevens Creek Trail are accurate. [:(] T alpharomero.com wood token #55, L sig token and a pin (some might call it a "button" [;)]) with a smiling sun wearing sunglasses, SL. TFTC!

Numbers Hound # 2

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

I was in the area with a few spare minutes before I needed to catch the train. There was no "You found it" page, so I left one. TN, L seashell and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Apr 15, 2006

Twisted Strands

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

A very quick find while running errands today. I figured out what the twisted strands were as I drove up, and the container was in the first place I looked. There was no "You found it" page, so I left one. TN, L seashells and a sig token, SL. TFTC!

ROUND ABOUT

By: misterfranklin Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

I saw the container clearly as I approached the location. I hid it as best I could, but it is still quite visible from certain directions. A little bit of camouflage would help a lot. T Team Ottlet sig postoid, L seashells and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Now That's Funny

By: Rocket Girl and DuckeyLee Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

My guess is that I would have zeroed closer to the cache with a GPSr (subject to the same reception problems as yours) than with Google. The potential locations for a magnetic key holder were fairly limited though, so this was still a quick find while running errands. There was no "You found it!" page, so I left one. T Blanston12's Steve Martin button #1107, L Asian coin (with "10" on it) and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Standing By

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

A quick find while running errands. I spent a few extra minutes just taking in the sculpture. TN, L sig token, SL. TFTC.

Apr 14, 2006

Play Ball!

By: ChrissySkyking + Blaze Difficulty: 2.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Small

I intended to make this a quick find before work, but the lid was open and the container was half-full of water. I took everything back to my car to dry it out on the defroster and replaced the torn ziplock bag. TN, L seashells and sig tokens (one for this cache and one for [url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCMFY9]the previous cache I found[/url], since it was a nano cache with no room for sig tokens), SL. TFTC!

Apr 13, 2006

Boulter

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

I remember coming to the nearby restaurant as a kid. I think the neon sign was on the side of the building back then, rather than being out here in front of the parking lot (where I could "admire" it until the muggles left). The camouflage and the efficient use of space are both excellent! I left the sig token for this nano cache in [url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCTXZN]the next cache I found[/url], because there wasn't room for it in this nano cache. TNLNSL, TFTC!

Forgotten Plaza

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

I found it fairly quickly tonight. There just aren't that many places where you could hide a "zntargvp" cache. (I'm not sure it's a good sign that I recognize words that have been rot13 encrypted.) Very nicely done, BTW. T pewter saxon figure, L seashell, black-and-white fish, and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Portkey

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

There aren't many places to hide a magnetic micro here, so this was a quick find. FWIW, a while back I found [url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCNFQ8]another nano cache[/url] where a pen was hidden near (but not in) the cache container. I think that approach would work well here, too. The container is not waterproof. I dried out the log page on my car's defroster, but it's just going to get wet again. Also, the "You found it" side of the log sheet is almost illegible, and the log side is almost full. I left my sig token for this nano cache in [url=ht tp://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCGECW]the next cache I found[/url], since there wasn't room for it here. TNLNSL, TFTC!

Los Altos Gateway

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

After checking up on [url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCTNC3]my own cache[/url], I set out to find a few. This was the first. As others have said, it was in the third place I looked. And it was a bit of a challenge to retrieve it from where it was hiding. T Scott & Valerie "The Saints" sig card, L seashell, ant, and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Pioneers R.I.P.?

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

I broke down and decrypted the hint. Naturally, I found the cache quickly after that. TN, L seashell and sig tokens (one for this cache and one for [url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCJT6R]the previous cache I found[/url], since it was a nano cache with no room for sig tokens), SL. Thanks for the history lesson, and TFTC!

Apr 12, 2006

FREE PARKING

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

I decided to try to make this cache my 100th find because it appeared on [url=http://www.geocaching.com/bookmarks/view.aspx?guid=9eef79eb-7ef5-4614-ad80-0c39e224ac02]workerofwood's list of favorite camo hides[/url]. I expected something other than what I found, so I didn't really expect it to be where I found it. I just happened to examine its location as I passed it, on my way to where I planned to look in earnest. In a way, the lack of a search was disappointing. But at the same time, I really enjoyed finding such a well-designed cache. TN, L caterpillar and sig token, SL. TFTC!

What's the frequency?

By: mjp303 Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Regular

This was my last find tonight after work. I had to wait for a muggle to leave before I could search for the container, but I didn't mind a bit. Wow... what a beautiful sunset! Thanks for bringing me out here. T pin with a smiling sun wearing sunglasses, L Stanford Blood Center pencil and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Ventana Del Mar

By: mjp303 Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

This is a nice location and a quick find before work. Thanks for bringing me here. TN, L sig token, SL. TFTC!

Gazebo

By: Shores Scout, originally by fishdude Difficulty: 2.0 Terrain: 2.0 Container: Micro

After finding the cache, I decrypted the hint and had to think a bit to figure out how you intended it. I'm not sure how helpful it would be to someone who hasn't found the cache yet. What's left of the pencil in the container is pretty useless; it's a good thing I had my own pen. TN, L sig token, SL. TFTC!

How Old is Mrs. Gooby?

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

I've been working on the puzzle in bits and pieces for a week or two, and finished it last weekend. I dropped by last night, but the location I got from the coordinates seemed odd, and I didn't find anything as I expanded my search radius. Email from UncleTom confirmed that I had the right coordinates, and I found it quickly this morning. It turns out that I just needed to expand my search radius by a few more feet. TN, L sig token, SL. Thanks for introducing me to this very entertaining puzzle, and TFTC!

Don Edwards Refuge -- West

By: mjp303 Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

This seemed an odd place for a micro, but it was still a quick find after work. The log sheet had room for only a couple more entries, so I left a new one. TN, L grey snake and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Ex-Evaporator

By: mjp303 Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

Another quick find during a very pleasant stroll after work. T TimberToo Sig Item #53, L seashell and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Tilted

By: mjp303 Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I almost missed finding the replacement container this morning. I hadn't read the reactivation notice, and dropped by on the off chance that it had been replaced since I last checked my email. I didn't see anything where I expected the previous container to have been, and was about to leave. Then, almost as an afterthought, I decided to look around a bit more. I found the replacement container quickly. Again, I really like this puzzle. TN, L sig token, SL. TFTC!

Apr 10, 2006

Fresh Water Marsh

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

This was an easy find before work, and a pleasant stroll in the baylands between rain showers. T grey snake, L blue frog, seashell, and sig tokens (one for this cache and one for the [url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCT6EE]previous cache I found[/url], which was a nano cache with no room for sig tokens), SL. TFTC!

Tilted

By: mjp303 Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

A couple days after my previous DNF, I dropped by again and found the clues very quickly. I really like this puzzle. (Knowing that there is a checksum was critical, although the checksum itself is hardly needed.) This morning I searched the location indicated pretty thoroughly and came up with nothing. Then I expanded my search radius and looked in places where I would expect a micro, and still came up with nothing. I'll be back to find this one.

Apr 8, 2006

The Charleston Shuffle

By: Mohetka Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

I visited stages 1-3 a couple nights ago, and dropped by this morning to find the cache. (I'll be able to get multi-caches in a single trip once I have a GPSr, but for now...) There was no "You found it!" sheet, so I left one. T Mickey 'n' Minnie sig card, L seashell and sig token, SL. TFTC!

Octal Fair!

By: bullit Difficulty: 4.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Not chosen

I came up with a prime solution, except it put me on the Moffett airfield. Email from bullit confirmed that the cache was not on the airfield [:O] and tipped me off to the hints in the cache description. That simplified the puzzle greatly! I left my sig token for this cache in the [url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCM7V2]next cache I found[/url], since there wasn't room for it in this nano cache. TNLNSL, TFTC!

The Source

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

April 4, 2006. 9:15 pm. Mountain View. It was a dark and stormy night. I answered a knock at the door. She begged for help. "Yeah? What kind of help?"

She told an implausible sob story about her mansion being robbed. Frankly, I didn't think she'd seen a bed in years, let alone the inside of a mansion.

"I'll let you know if I find anything."

Did I find anything? You bet I found something! But just between you and me, the credit goes to The Source. Sure, he's unreliable--he didn't help a bit in [url=http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache_details.aspx?wp=GCRP9N]a recent kidnapping case[/url]--but when he does come through, he's good as gold.

[I've had the location for a couple weeks, but just now got around to fin ding the container. TN, L sig token, SL. TFTC!]

Apr 7, 2006

CalTrain - Burlingame

By: normanb Difficulty: 1.0 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I quickly found the replacement cache this morning. I replaced the scrap-paper replacement log with a printed log sheet and "You found it!" page. Unfortunately, there was no clue for the Weekend Trains Multi-Cache. TN, L sig token, SL. TFTC!

CalTrain - Millbrae

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

A quick find, but not quite quick enough--I just missed the train I was hoping to catch. I liked the hide technique, but that might be just because it's different from the others I've found so far from this series. TN, L sig token, SL. TFTC!

Apr 6, 2006

One Equals Two

By: Rogue Ramblers Difficulty: 3.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

This "proof" is one of my favorite bits of mathematical trivia. It nicely demonstrates the difference between blindly following a formula and understanding what you're doing. Thanks for turning it into such a fun puzzle cache. The whole thing fits together very nicely. TN, L sig token, SL. TFTC!

Apr 5, 2006

Evelyn Station

By: Stacy & Jerry; Adopted by cachbefound Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I took Caltrain, and rode my bike from the Mountain View station to this cache before heading home. It was a few minutes out of my way, not counting the time seeking and logging the cache. As others have mentioned, the hinge on the container is broken, but the lid stays in place if you replace it carefully. TN, L sig token, SL. TFTC!

Apr 4, 2006

Gossmer Cove Lagoon

By: mjp303 Difficulty: 1.5 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Small

A quick find after work. The container is not waterproof, and the orientation of the container probably doesn't help. I tried to let the inside dry out a bit, but the log is soaked. I managed to sign the wet log with a Sharpie, but I left a replacement log (with a replacement "You found it!" sheet attached) in a ziplock bag. T a black and white fish, L a green spider, a purple spider, sig token, SL. TFTC!

Tilted

By: mjp303 Difficulty: 3.0 Terrain: 1.5 Container: Micro

I spent half an hour here after work. I'm still trying to work out the puzzle. I had a few ideas, but I couldn't figure out how the check sum could relate to any of them, and the one I like the best is inaccessible. But there are still plenty of unfound (by me) caches in the area, so I'll be back to figure this one out.

Apr 3, 2006

Vladimir has been kidnapped!

By: fulmar2 Difficulty: 3.5 Terrain: 1.0 Container: Micro

I thought I understood the clue, but fulmar2's email encouraged me to reconsider. The real meaning of the clue provided the final piece to the puzzle, at which point All That Geeky Code became perfectly clear. Still, in retrospect, I got pretty close by substituting brute force for the final piece. And the puzzle turned out to be somewhat educational as well. The cache location is very appropriate, and I had the site to myself this morning before work. TN, L sig token, SL. TFTC!

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